Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-03-04

The following article, taken from the
Fulton IN. W Times, of Jan. 10, 1869, is
published at the request of Mr.. Lyman
Wright, of Fairbault, who was brother
of Alanson Wright, and whose widow is
a resident of this city.-ED.]
Incident in the Early history OF voIney
This section of country at lis early SET
Element was the scene Of many lively and
thrilling incidents. Many OF them oc.
Cured in the pursuit and capture of the
various kinds Of wild animals, which
were then almost the sole occupants of
the dark old forest, where the ring of the
woodlands axe had only been heard at
long intervals. One of these which l am
about 10 relate, took place on or about
the winter of 1886, when the large kinds
OF game were becoming quite rarity:
A company of men numbering near IF.
~, were at work in cedar swamp, on
what Is commonly known as the Braton
lot, which lies about one mile in north
east direction from Hubhard's Corners,
in the town Of Volney. Among the com.
pany was Joel Wright, who was the ow-
ner of large dog, that came and went,
by the somewhat hOmelY name of Growl-
er A noble dog was he, strong and
fearless, brave AZ miss Temples brave"
true a. "Lewellyn's faithful Gelert and
independence was marked trait in his
character. He had been known, when
travelling along the road in the night time,
to rear up and put bis paws on the breast
Of man whom he met, as much rs to
say, 1T is your duty to turn out" But
the old dog has passed away. Though
the hero of m.ny sharp contest with
"O!d BruiD," the chase and capture OF
which seemed to be his highest ambi-
ton, no pen has ever soiled the paper to
record his victories, or perpeluate his
bravery.
One afternoon as the company of men
were al work in the swamp, Growler was
heard barking at no great distance In 4
very earnest and spirited manner. Alan
son Wright, one of Joel Wright's sons,
went to see what the old dog was after.
He soon came back and told his father
that Growler had found bear in its den.
The fact was told TO few others and it
was determlned best Tot to inform the
whole company for fear if so many were
to set At work to capture the bear, in the
tumult and excitement that would oDsue,
there would be much danger of some one
getting severely injured. Those who
took part in the capture Of the bear we're
Joel Wright, his sons Lyman, Alanson,
AlunZO, and Lewis, Charles Barnham
and F. V. Taft. They tarried after the
others had left to 60 home, and then they
must needs have gun. So one of the
boys was sent to the house Of Reuben
Smith for one. They then with gun AMI
lantern. repaired to The place where the
old dog was awak ening the echoes of the
forest with his loud and angry barking.
They found the bear in an apparently.
strong fortress. The only aperture to the
den was between two poles, q space Of
about four inches one way and two and q
half feet the other. To that aperture
the bear would occasionally put her nose
and growl her resentment ut the outsid.
ers. They thought TO take advantage Of
that fact, and one was to hold the light
while the other should keep the gun
aimed ready 10 IRE at any msment.
Alter some time spent In watching,
some one asked il the gun was we'll
primed (for 1t was the old Flint locks),
and sure enough not = bit Of powder was
there In the pan: This want was soon
applied and the station was again taken.
Soon the bears head appeared; there
was . flash, . kind of . smothered report,
and an enraged bear was tearing about
in that little fortress Of ice, logs, and
snow, 80 that her determined efforts fairly
made the svampy ground trsmble. The
fact was, there was but just enough pow
der in the gun 70 pnsh the stot out rather
saucily against the bears noset and . pof-.
ton Of them fell back upon TIE pole up
on which her nose lay, and were picked
up BY the men. Upon trying to load the.
gun again il Was found they had omitted;
TO bring shot. SOFA short council VAS
held and II wa8decidsd that onSsof Joel
.Wrishi.sl soassshoulds go home and get
another gun which wspld carry . sbsll.
~, While hesyAls sbsent rain began 70 fall
briskly which had the tendency 81 make