The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-06
a GrizAly Bear.

The train was delayed several hours.
There was but half dozen passengers all
told, and they all got out on the station
platform. In looking down the valley
from the station (rruckce Is away up IN
mountain Oh the main line of the Central
Pacific Railroad) we could sec some kind
of an animal coming down out of the tim.
Der and making its way over the top of the
snow toward the river. II looked like a
steer or mule, and none of the pnsscn-
gers thought 1t was anything else. The
snow was four feet deep and frozen SO hard
that one could walk over the top without
breaking through. Captain Vincent Yore,
of st. Louis, Il man well-known in steam
boat circles both iii ST. Louis and Pitts
burg, and in fact all along the river, was
one Of the passengers.
The station agent, who was at once the
express agent, ticket agent and baggage,
man combined, went into his little office
and brought out beautiful brcech loading
rifle. Handing it to Yore, ho said sar.
castically, "1cre's gum" Captain Y ore
took the gun and started toward the end
Of the platform. The passengers, of course,
never dreamed he was III earnest.
The station agent called him back when
he had gone down one of the steps, and
bringing out a rat terrier dog of the light
woolly Scotch pattern, said:
"Here, you'll want dog when you go
bear hunting"
Captain Yore turned back, picked up
the dog, and putting 1t under the flap OF
his coat, started down toward the bear.
The grizzly had by this time got out far
enough to be plainly seen, US lie made his
way across the narrow valley. Hc looked
to be the size of horse, and did not seem
to care whether there was anybody within
a short distsnce of him or not. The Rocky
mountain grizzly is the largest and when
aroused the most ferocious of all ANIMALS
In western North America. Travellers on
the Union and Central Pacific Railroad are
familiar with the specimen that is Gagged on
the platform at Lathrop, an eating station
on the California end Of the line. 1t has
foot like the 'iftecnth amendment" " and
is as large US a Kerry cow.
The bear kept quietly in his course, and
Captain Iorc went straight toward him.
The station agent realized the danger Yore
was in, and his anxiety was quickly COM
munlcated to the passengers. They got
closer and closer until they were only about
the length of train apart. Yore stopped,
took out the little dog and set HIM down.
The terrier made for the bear at once, and,
going behind him, bit him on the heel
The bear turned round to see what had
scratched him Oh the foot, and the minute
he turned Iorc, who had been standing
motionless, watching the bear as 1t came
face toward him, brought the rifle up to
his nose and flashed it at HIM. The bear
Immediately slapped himself on the
shoulder with his paw and went toward
the captain. The passengers, who were
watching him, woro now wild with cxoltc-
mcnt. "He has hit him." said the old
Californian on the train, ''and now lie must
look out for him." Yorc never moved.
The little snipe of dog bit the bear on
the heel again, he turned once more, and
again Yore unloaded on him. The bear
slapped himself on the shoulder and
Strengthened up as if TO 60 quickly for
Yore. Then the beast broke through. the
snow and almost disappeared from our
sight. He tumbled and rolled and waltzcd
around. The Old Californians were Slmost
breathless with fright. "rhc bear is
trampling out Il place to fight, run, run,
runl" they screamed to Yorc but lie stood
motionless as statue. The little dog flew
around the top Of the pit the bear had made
and barkcd.
Presently the bear put out his head to
get his assailants position, and, fixing his
eyes on Yorc, hc crawlcd out of his hole
in the snow. He had just steadicd himself
on his four legs when the dog bit him once
more, and Yorc let him have it again,
quick rs flash, the moment he turned
Another time the grizzly slapped himself
with his paw, indicating he had been hit
lie started on trot toward Yore, who now
had four loads left in his rifle. Twice
again the dog bit the bear, and ut each
time when he turned Yorc unloadcd into
him, bringing the rifle up to his face as
quickly as If he threw a weavcr's shuttle.
After he had fired the fourth load the
grizzly's pace was not s.ackencd up much,
as you could scarcely notice him limp.
Yorc turned to move back few PAGES,
and rs he did 80 lie broke through the snow
and went down TO his armpits. The pas
sengers, expecting every moment to sec
the infuriatcd monster crush poor Yore,
covered their eyes in perfect terror.
The bear had got within few yards of
Yore, and but few seconds would decide
it. The dog bit him again, and Yore, who
ittu tnc illc uihliJ olS'itcu, pouIco IL lntO
him, two loads in quick succession, and
him as he was almost at the end
of the rifle. Tho whole thing occurred in
less time than it takes TO tell it. The pas
scngers rushed down with a shout. They
brought the immense bear up to the station
and dubbed together and bought the rifle
for Captain lore, and tho captain laid
down a $40 gold piece for the little dog,
which nc brought back with him to st.
Louis, for, said he, "that dog saved my
lifc."