Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-03-01
In Bruins Clutches,
LOTTIE MERRILL'S DESPERATE ENCOUN-
TER WITH TWO SAVAGE BEAR.

LOTTIE MERRILL'S DESPERATE ENCOUN-
TER WITH TWO SAVAGE BEAR.
Damascus Pa.,) Cor. Philadelphia Times.l
Lottie Merrill, the female hunter of
this section, has just had another adven-
ture worthy of record and one which
came so near costing her her life that she
will probably in the future never resume
her masculine sport. A few days ago,
just after the great sleet-storm which
swept over the country, Lottie determi
ned to 60 deer hunting. Downing her
snow shoes she started to cross Orig
Swamp, dense mass of scrub oaks and
laurel. When she had reached the cen
ire of the marsh she discovered the foot
prints of a very large bear on the crust.
She followed the trail out of the swamp
for about two miles, when she discover
ed the den which the animal inhabited.
Entering the cave she found two little
cubs on bed of leaves in one corner
The cubs were about the size of kittens
and were easily captured.
Lottie was just emerging from the
cave when she was met by an immense
she bear. The bear had heard the cubs
yell and was making all possible speed
to rescue them. Before Lottie could
draw her rifle to her shoulder the animal
was upon her, and grasping her in its
paws gave her such terrible squeeze
that she tainted, when the bear, think
ing her dead, released her grip. She
fortunately regained consciousness
quickly, and while the old bear was
playing with her cubs the plucky nun
ter drew her rifle and shot her in the
side. The bullet did not strike the ami
mails heart, and as the brute dashed at
her again Lottie drew her hunting-knife
and with one bold stroke nearly severed
the bears head from the body.
ANOTHER BEAR.
Lottie was just congratulating herself
on her successful escape when \the dead
BEARS mate made his appearance. Lot
ties rifle was unlOaded and she was to-
tally unprepared for second encOun.
ter, but determined to fight it out."-
The struggle was a long one. Fortu.
nately the young lady was not encum
bered in her motions by petticoats, for
in all her hunting expeditions she wears
pantaloons of doeskin, with a long
blouse. When, finally, Lottie thought
the bear was dead, she stopped over to
cut his throat, and the animal, with one
stroke of his montrous paw, tore the
clothing almost completely from her
body During the protracted struggle
the bear had reached the edge of cliff
fully q hundred feet high and sloping at
all angle of more than forty. five degrees
down to the Wallinpaupack creek. As
the animal grabbed Lottie he commence
ed sliding on the slippery crust down
this almost perpendicular slope. Lottie
was carried with him. and every foot of
distance traversed added to their veloc
ity. When they reached the foot of the
slope they struck against tree COM
pletely killing the bear and breaking
two of Lottie's ribs. her left arm and one
of her limbs. She managed, however,
to crawl about mile to house, where
she received medical treatment. The
first bear killed weighed when dressed
403 pounds, and the male one 484 pounds.
Lottie, who is improving slowly, has
the cubs in her possession, but she says
it will be some time before she will take
another expedition of this kind.