Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-08-25
Browns BATTLE.

At an early hour Wednesday morning
great excitement was created in the lit
tie Village of P0wnal, Vermont, by the
appearance ON the main street If a huge
black bear. The alarm was sounded,
and mothers gathered their children in
their arms, fled to their houses, and
bolted and barred their doors. The
male portion Of the population shouted
themselves hOarse from the secOnd-stOry
windows in urging the dogs Of the vii
lage to attack the bear. The CANNES at
first attacked him with great deal of
spirit, but after q majority of the dogs
had been rendered hOrs dM comtat tbs
others kept most respectful distance,
and c0ntented themselves with barking
as loud ~ their masters shouted from
the house tops. The bear, for consider
able time, was monarch of all he sur
veyed, but finally. after smelling about
the village to his hearts content, he
moved up ON the railroad track in the
direction of North Pownal. At this
juncture Porter 4. Brown appeared
upon the scene, armed and equipped to
do battle with the bear. The first init
nation that the latter had of tho ap-
pearance Of his new enemy was bullet
whistling.. about his ears. The bear
turned upon Brown, bot the latter
sought cover. Again the bear moved
on, and again Brown attacked him.
When the bear reached the railroad
bridge, midway between Pownal and
North POwnal, his pursuer was but a
few rods in the rear. The bear seemed
to think that the bridge would be q good
place to meet his enemy and fight it ont
on that line, 10 he faced about and
stood upon his launches, as much as to
say, Come on, Brown, and I'll make
You paw the air" But Brown had no
inclination TO tackle the bear at close
quarters, but resolved 70 try the virtue
Of powder and lead. Bracing himself
alongside . telegraph pole, he took de-
liberate aim and pulled the trigger. The
ball took effect in vital portion of the
bears anatomy, and in Q moment his
LIES blood was pouring out and falling
into the little Hoosao River below.
Brown had killed the bear, and the news
OF the victory soon spread to both viii
lagos. Brown was now tho hero of tho
day. The body of the dead bear was
carried in triumph through the streets
Ut the village, bat in the midst Of the
general rejoicing two Italians arrived
upon the scene, and after discovering
the cause Of the commotion they broke
out into the most terrible blasphemy
ever heard in the valley Of tho Hoosac.
Explanations followed, as soon as the
strangers could regain their equilibrium
sufficient TO COnvosoe in broken English,
when it was learned that the bear was
their property, and that they we're trav-
cling about the country exhibiting him
and reaping . harvest Of pennies and
nickels from the multitudes who Wit
messed his performances. Tho Italians
had camped out during the night, and
at an early hour in tho morning, proba-
bly, being hungry, the bear escaped from
his fasteninRs and wandered to the vii
lage In search Of q breakfast. This for
aging expedition cost him his life.
Brown offered the carcass Of the bear
TO the Italians, but they refused 70 40
cept il. Their grief at the los Of their
pct was terrible TO behold.