Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-16
FOUR MEN AND A BEAR.

FOUR len AND A BEAR.
IN Eliminated -4drenfMre Near the Forks
of the Kenne6ec.
Augusta Me- Journal.
An item in our columns recently an
nounced that Conductors Tucker and Wei
lington Sprague, of the Maine Central
railroad; O.. A. Robinson, the elocutionist;
and A. Q. Leach had gone on a s~ojourn
for a few days near the forks of the Ken
nebec. It seems that their weeks recrea-
ton was enlivened by a very spirited adj
venture, being none other than an excit-
ing encounter with a bear.
While the party were stopping at the
Forks hotel, where they made their head
quarters, they planned a hunting expedi-
ton for cartridges. On Thursday last
they set out. They went up on the Berlin
pond road to Cold Stream, where they
struck into the forest primeval. They had
no guides OF packmen, but each carried a
small rifle. They had not gone far into
the woods when they saw d flock of part
ridges in the distance. Just as they were
to take aim the birds rose and the amateur
huntsman started in pursuit. In follow
ing the birds they did not heed the direc-
ton they took, nor did they think
of it till they had bagged
more than half of the flock.
Just as they were trying to get their bear
ings the cracking of limbs attracted their
attention, and looking in the direction of
the sound what was their surprise to see
a large full-grown bear looking them
straight in the face.
A more surprised quartet probably
never lived, and the bear seemed to enter
into the spirit of the party. for she. too,
seemed rather unsettled at such an array
of hunters. Had the men had any heavy
ammunition they would have been happy.
The bear stood for a moment, and then
utterlng a savage snarl started for them.
The four rifles were loaded with small
cartridges for cartridges, but it wasn't a
good time to discuss cause and effect, so
the four guns were aimed straight at
bruins nose and fired. The shot evident
ly frightened the animal more than it
hurt her, for she turned and ran.
The men quickly reloaded and pursued
her. After going some distance she again
made a bold stand, and once more got four
! charges of shot. The second shot enraged
her, and she began to growl f~iercely, NOV
ing off in the meantime at a moderate pace.
Soon. however, the programme changed.
the hunted became the hunter. for the bear
was evidently suffering intense pain in the
face and eyes from the shots that had been
fred at her. As she turned on the hunters
her face was covered with blood. She was
now about twenty-five feet from them. and.
as if to look them over better. she sprang
upon a leg that lay three Or four feet from
the ground and about the same distance
nearer her pUrsuers.
The men now for the first time realized
their danger. for they saw that their shots
had only enraged the animal. and that she
was more than a match for them single
handed. 4 short and excited council of
war was held. and it was decided that the
only way to get the best Of the animal was
to surround her. Accordingly Tucker and
Sprague jumped around behind her. while
Leach and Robinson held her attention in
front. Her bearship was now in a tight
place, for each man had reversed his gun.
and was ready to give her the benefit of a
telling blow. Robinson made rather an
aggressive step toward her, when she
sprang at him. He quickly stepped to one
side and she missed him, but not the butts
of four rifles. which descended on her head
before she could recover from her leap, hay
ing landed in the top of a large dead
spruce.
Fortunately or otherwise. Tucker broke
the stock of his rifle short off at the first
blow. This reminded him Of a monster
pocket knife which he had purchase!
at Bingham. Taking that out. ne ordered
his companions to once more hold the at
tention of the bear while he crawlede be-
hind her. No one. not even himself. knew
what he was going to do. The bear now
stood erect on her launches. and the three
men we're engaging her attention as much
as they dared to do. Tucker rushed up
behind her and plunged the knife into her
side twice. his companions in the mean
time rushing for her with their guns. The
moment she felt Tucker behind her she
turned and made a grab Cor his shoulder.
just catching his coat and heavy shirt in
her teeth. Before she could do more the
stabs in her side had done their work, and
she fell dead with fuckers clothing still
in her teeth.
Amore tired. bewildered set of hunters
never were heard from, but they had killed
a bear, and what did it matter if they were
lost in the woods. They had not the least
idea where they were OR how they could
get out. Fortunately, however. they found
ont that they were not far from Pat
Murphy's place. to which they made quick
tracks, arriving there just at dark. The
next morning they returned to their game
and skinned the bear, and brought the skin
to the Forks, where it was dressed prepar
atory to tanning. The party naturally say
the skin belongs to Tucker. and he will
have it made into a sleigh robe. and a
huge one it will make, too.
Mother swans Worm Syrup.
lnfallible, tssteiess, harmless, cathartic: FOR
feverishness, restlessness, worms. constipation.