Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-08-05
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rHuRsDAY EVENING, AUG. s. 1890.


The Exciting ExpeFiasoe ofan Early Settler
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Among the many old settlers of the Pike
county hills and glens is an old sun-burned
man. who has . little cabin few rods
hack from tho regular path to Mount
Union. Visitors here are told that he can
tell many strange tale about the pioneers
and their history, and here is one that he
gave . day or two ago:
"You want yarn about myself in my
younger days, do you, stranger Well.
there's many q one, and tough, too,
might tell You. But, seein' you come
from the city, and are eager fer somethin'
rather excitin', I will give you an account
of the trouble we had with the bears when
We built the first hotel up here. That was
q good while ago ; couldn't think of say
ing just how long. I was young, strong
chap then, and could lift as heavy a load
ss any of 'em. Some speculative fellow from
Philadelphia had seen this place around
here. and made up his mind to build a
tavern. and see if he couldn't get lot Of
men here to sell fish. The fishin' was won
derful in them days. The bears were ter
rible plenty in this neighborhood, although
We had driven 'em away on the Jersey
side. You see there was no one livin' over
here then but two old trappers. They had
. hut right over the hill yonder, and not
far from where the Gap House is now.
The lumber for the tavern was brought
down on RATS, and the first thing we did
was to put up some shanties for us to live
in while We were buildin'. The man was
In . tremendous hurry about the thing, and
wanted us to work day and night, if we
could. So We put up some rough huts,
and made ourselves as comfortable as pos
sible. The trappers were hired, too. and
they came down from their cabin every
mornin'. Nights they used to 60 huntin'
and We had all the bear meat we wanted
Things went on smooth for some days and
besides bear growl now and then, or a
rattlesnake's call we didn't hear anything
unusal. We soon got used to the awful
quiet, and didn't think of harm.
"One night-'twas Saturday-we went
to sleep very tired. We had worked hard
until abut 10 o'clock, because we had the
next day to rest in. Ten of us slept in
one slanty and five in another. l was
with the five. Just who left the door
wide open none of us ever found out: We
were all so plaguy sleepy we didn't know
what was going on. It must have been
soon after midnight that l woke up,
feelin' as though some one had stuck me
with knife. was sittin' straight up on
my bunk I've had straw ticks on the flOOr),
and there by my side, with one claw dug
into my arm, was big black bear. For
. minute I was all broken to pieces.
Havin' been SO sound asleep and all,
'spose my wits were kinder scattered.
While I was SO confused, l heard some
one hOllerin' for help. turned, and by
the light of the moon, which was shinin'
in, saw Bill Stivers, who had bunk
next to mine, clasped in the arms OF
another big bear. Then l was wide
awake, and gave my hand twist
It came SO sudden that the cuss
hadn't time to think, and got my
arm loose. With that I jumped to my
feet and put for my gun. The varmint was
too quick for me, and grabbed me around
the waist. tell you, stranger, thought
the Jig was up. gave glance round
the room. Bill was on the floor, and the
bear on top of him. The other fellers were
awake, and in the door came another bear.
We ali yelled at the top of our voices. Bill
was nearly smothered, but he managed to
scream for knife. l did the same and
then tried to trip the cuss. He began
squeezing, and fought like the mischief.
I tell you, it's tough. Those critters will
just take the breath out of you in no time
at all. tripped the cuss somehow and
fell on top. As fell, 1 hit him with all
my might between the eyes. 1t seemed to
stagger him for an instant, and he let up a
little on his hold. Quicker'n I've been
talkin'. had squirmed out, and
was kinder tumbling towards the
wall. The varmint was after me
right off, and 1 couldn't reach my gun.
All could get was my jack-knife, which
was lynn on box. Before could get my
arm up with it was in the chaps claws.
I knew the thing would be over mighty
quick if something desperate warn't done,
for the critter was madder'n fury. l just
stuck the knife into his heart again and
again. OF course, he had my arms pressed
against my side, and all could use was
my hand. That alone didn't deal very
hard blows, but it was life or eternity with
me, SO did the best. was weakenin'
fast, but kept itup. Pretty quick every.
thing began to swim and my power was
goin' fast. knew that my jack was doin
some good, for could feel the blood run
MIN from the bear. His terrible grip con-
tinered though, and could tell that the
last of my fOOlin' had come. must have
hollered as loud as could, for remember
hearin' . sound and words of some kind
I was sinkin', when heard, like a noise
way off, the report of a gun. On a sec
ond I tumbled ON the floor, all in heap,
and the cuss, lettin' 60 of me, rolled ovel
dead. It was one of them trappers saved
my ife."