The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-10-06
A YELLOWSTONE BEAR STORY

The Fire Hotel is located on the west
side Of the lower basin at the foot Of the
mountain, near good spring OF water,
and from which can be had q fine view of
the valley. Marshall, the proprietor, has
so years lease from the government,
and will add to the bonse as the business
Of the pnblic demands. This is the only
house in the Park beside tho one at the
entrance.
1t is wild and solitary place to spend
the winter, which Mr.. Marshall and his
wife, with e young lady companion, did
for the first time last winter, and in this
connection ho told me bear story. He
said that after visitors ceased coming to
the Park last fall, he went to Virginia
City for his winter supplies, leaving his
wife. children and the Young woman in
charge of the place. Near the house, in
the rear, was situated dugout Or root
house, where be stored his potatoes, etc.,
to keep them from freezing, and to ven
tilate which he used joint of stove pipe.
One morning during his absence his wife
looked ont of the window and saw bear
pulling down the pipe and trying to dig
into the dollhouse, i'll which they had
also stored most of their provisions. The
women we're at their wits end as to what
course to pursue. They at first threw
oope ont ~ fhs ar,l
to distrub bruin for a few moments, but
he soon returned, as he had already sniff
ed the good things of that ground cellar,
and he did not propose to be scared off
with tin cans. Mrs. Marshall, brave
| enough to be left alone, did not intend
| to have all her provisions taken before
| her eyes, and proposed to load the rifle,
if her companion would fire it at the bear,
which being complied with, good charge
WAS soon placed in the gun, which WAS
laid across the window sill and discharged
at his bearship, but the aim, not being
accurate, did not strike him in vital
part, although his actions showed that he
was hit. He retreated to the hillside, sat
upon his launches, took a view of the
| situation, and then disappeared in the
! bushes, where he remained. The women
nerc not satisfied, and they went after
the bear-a very imprudent thing, to say
the loast; but nevertheless they went, for
Gas they expressed iD they were afraid
he might come back in the night, and, as
they we're satisfied he was wounded. they
wanted to finish him. Loading the rife
again, they went cautiously up the hill
| side, until they discovered the bear stand
! ing in small clearing, when the women
prepared for action by laying the gun
across log, and taking deliberate aim,
hitting TIE animal behind the foreshoul
der, when he came rolling down the hill
| The women aid not stop to see whether
| the bear WAS rolling or running-they
imagined the latter-and both run for
dear life, dropping the gun as they won't
| for the house, which they reached before
casting glance in the rear. When safe
in the house they took a view of the sit
| uatiou, and could sse bruin doubled ap
and giving bis last kick. He finally be
came quiet, and they ventured out and
got possession of their gun, which was
again loaded, and third charge was put
| into the bear to mako suro he was not
| playing postum. When Marshall came
home he weighed the bear and found it
brought down the beam at $50 pounds.
He tells the story Of She action OF the
brave women with great deal Of pride,
aud the young woman who did the shoot
ing has become quite a heroine.