The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-06-23
A "BARE" HUNT!

On Wednesday of last week we receiv
ed word that the wild animal had made
another demonstration down in Liberty
and there was to be big bear hunt on
Thursday. On Thursday morning, In
company with Marshal Owens, we pro-
cured pair of good strong horses of John
Burt & Son, together with a large buggy
NOT knowing but we might want to
haul the grizzly demon of the forest back
with us, and boldly struck out for the
"jungle."
We had applications enough to have
used up dozen grizzlies in supplying
bear steaks, and many were the jokes
cracked at the expense of the Liberty
township bear. Our old friend Levi Dun
gan seemed anxions lest we should get
eaten by the bear-or lest we shouldn't
we are not prepared to say which. James
Lackey exacted solemn promise that we
should bring him the hide of the bear.
aunt Sally" Harrison was recklessly
milking her COWS, right out in the road,
where the bear might have come along
and carried her away. Ad. Martin was
blowing the buckwheat out of his corn,
but we noticed that Ad. occasionally
glanced back along the hill to the farther
end of the field. After a few mo-
ments talk with Ad., we went along a
little further, and saw Mrs. Martin-and
we were impressed with the belief that
Ad. was solicitous lest the bear should
carry her away.
About six o'clock we arrived at the
pleasant residence of Mr.. Patterson,
where the wild animal had made it's
visits. Mr.. Patterson was already at
work in the field, with his son Ellsworth.
Mrs. Patterson, a bright, pleasant-faced
lady, of perhaps forty summers told us
where to find the pig which had been res
cued from the animal few nights pre-
vious. This pig had evidently been seized
by some animal having a large mouth, as
it was bitten in the back of the neck and
shoulders. There has without doubt
been some animal after Mr.. Patterson's
pig, but we do not think it was a bear. 1t
may have been a wildcat, or possibly a
large fox. We took trip through por-
ton of the "Gulf," but saw no signs of
auimal habitation save two or three
skunk dens. But the best part of this
hunt-and, we may say, the objective
point with Owens and ourself, was the
pleasant day passed among the Liberty
people including the excellent dinner
gotten up by Mrs. Patterson. Never did
woman cook better meal-nor did wo-
man ever find more vigorous or persistent
eaters, than ourself, Owens, and j. b.
Howe, the latter gentleman making it
point to arrive at Patterson's about noon.
During dinner the lady of the house told
some incidents of the pig-stealing animal,
and the consequent scare. Mr.. Howe is
her son-in-law, and on that night was,
with his wife, staying at Pattersons.
From Mrs. Patterson's account we learn
ed these facts: When the noise was heard,
indicating that the animal was after the
hogs, Mr.. Patterson ran out, followed by
Howe and the dog. Patterson, when he
found that the animal was carrying the
pig away, took after it. Howe, when
he found it out, ran back to the house,
followed by the dog, which tried to run
under the bed, while Howe jumped into
bed. These are not the lady's exact
words, but our own differences. And
"Jim" was right-because, if the bear had
caught Patterson, out in the yard, and
eaten him, who would have been left to
protect the ladies, unless Howe took care
of himself? The race between Patterson
and the bear was more than equaled by
the race between Howe and the dog, for
the house.
On the next day after the occurrence,
number of men went into the "Gulf" to
look for signs" At last they found a
cavern which looked as though it might
be an animal den. A lady living near
us that when number of men
were preparing to smoke the beast out
that Howe stood on top of the cave, with
his gun cooked, and urged the men not to
light the fire until more men came. This
gun was an old-fashioned "smooth-bore,"
and loaded with bird-shot. But we are
of the opinion that these people do not
give Howe proper credit for his efforts to
save them from the destructive wild
beast.
We heard that some parties had dis
covered signs of "bear," at the Saltpetre
Cave on the day of our visit. Ask Bob
Harrison about it, as he is said to have
seen them.
Laying all "bear' jokes aside, we never
passed more pleasant day than the day
passed with Mr.. Patterson, his wife, and
his son. We were never better enter.
tanned, and in all our future wanderings
up and down the earth, we will retain in
our memory bright spot for the pleas
ant day passed with these good people.
When anybody else feels disposed to get
up bear-hunt which will 'pan out" as
this one did, they may confidently count
upon Owens and ourself to risk our lives
in the chase.