The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-06
Hunting d Montana Bear.

HERDING BRUIN IN sPRING-wAGON ACROSS
A PRAIRIE.
Correspondence Deer-Lodge (Mon.D New North
west
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MONTANA, Au-
gust 15.-Whether or not man desireth
to be healthy, wealthy, and wise, he must
yet rise early il he would take the White
sulphur Springs coach at Laney's en-
route for Helena. Such was the OBJ
iect OF Mr.: David Folsom, of Smith
River Valley, as after a 3 O'Clock break
fast he stepped into his spring-wagon
this morning-the i5th-to be driven
by Mr.. Aaron Goodale toward that station.
Beyond Mr.. Folsom's meadow the road is
unienccd, and, out OF sheer perversity, or,
perhaps, with intent TO run into as many
bitches rs possible, meandels digonally
across three-mie stretch OF SAGE brush,
prickly pear, and badger holes; the ascent
10 the plateau beyond is through a guch
so deep that a team climbing this rise would
be entirely hidden from any one standing
but little way above.
Mr.. Folsom had scarcely reached the
brow OF this hill when his horse stopped
with quick snort, and he beheld at a few
rods distance cinnamon bear standing
face toward him in the middle OF the road.
The only arms OF Mr.. Folsom and his COM
panion were iack-kniyes, without which the
Yankee Is not and IN ordinary carriage
whip. But, 10 doth man watch two
nights in vain for the bear which hath
stolen his eve lamb, to pass him i'm the high
way with cold obeisanceY Not so. Mr.. Fol-
som conceived the idea OF pressing my Lord
Bruin to return with him to his ranch. He
accordingly put his horses into q run, and
making AS short circuit rs possible, was
soon between the bear and the mountains.
for which the beast was making with all
convenient speed. IL looked for a single
instant as il the bear had a notion Of con-
testing the right Of way. But il is sup
possible that he mistoOk the two plunging
horses, the long spring-wagon, and its
shouting occupants for one and the same
sui generls, for which he had no use, and
he struck of diagonally for the valley.
The circle had been made with comparative
ease on level surface OF the plateau, but
In this headlong race down the bluff-over
sage-brush, badger-hOles, rocks, bitches
the wagon leaped, swayed, and pitched
like mad thing. 1t is no wonder that
poor bruin again turned his course, when.
after chase OF mile, this jerking, flying,
roaring phenomenon appeared between
him and the mountains. 10 the great de-
light OF his pursuers. instead of crossing
the road again he kept il for half mile
and until he was within two miles Of Mr..
Folsom's house, when he made another
wlld rush around the fences for the noun
tains. Such was his extraordinary swift
ness and endurance that, even on the open
road, Mr.. Folsom was obliged TO keep his
horses at sharpest trot In order TO equal the
bears speed, and when again their course
lay over the sage brush he had run a mile
before they could overtake him by their
maddest galloping, retarded as they We're
by wagon which the actors i'm this scene
gravely aver bounced % feet into the air at
every plunge OF the horses
But at last-was Bruin after all To escane
them me leapcd the ive-raii fence like a
aeer, ana with apparently undiminished
speed rushed through the pasture. IL is
needless 10 say that his pllrsuers made
snort work OF the fence, but mean time he
bad distanced them considerably. and
among the fences he undoubtedly had the
Dest OF them. The chase continued nc
madiy as before, but only for few mo.
ments, Tor, like another brave Montanian
poor Lord Bruin "resolved 10 have drnp
IL was the last act OF his military career |
hs tongue was lolling far out: his ewes |
were bursting with the heat. He jndis- !
ereetly plunged into deep slough. there
by signing his own death-warant The
wagon was driven at full speed toward the
house, Mr.. Folsom shouting TO bis men 70
saddle bis horse and bring his gun
Ten minutes later sharp rifle re.
port followed by groan and
Splash. told that the cinnamon bear.
which had been herded for four miles in y
spring-wagon, would no more trouble the
eve lamb OF the flock. The skin, a re.
narIably fine one, Mr.. Folsom will have