Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-11-29
In a Bears Mouth.

one OF the severest and most desperate
rencontres between man and brute that
has ever taken place in CaliforRis, oc
CURED recently In Mammoth Park. Man,
moth Gulch- William Psrenteau, foreman
of the Gunnell mice, had started out for a
Sabbath days sport and reached the park
rather early. During the night a slight
snow had fallen and the mountains were
covered with light and delicate coating
OF white. which was indeed all that the
hunter could desire, for il left the trail
OF man or beast plainly visible. Mr.. Pa
renteau soon struck a bear trail. Before
he had gone fifty yards be heard slight
noise To his left and quickly turning around
he discovered large female bear and a
well grown cub. She seemed 10 be besi-
tating for the moment whether to give
nght or NOT. The mother and cub were
not over twenty yards from the hunter
and his decision was made up as quick as
flash. He would kill the old one and
take the chances of the younger running
away. His rife was at his shoulder 10 an
instant, but as his finger touched the trig-
ger Inc oear made lqnge at him and the
bail went wide of its mark. missing the
now infuriated animal entirely. He threw
his gun aside and jerked from its sheath a
long hunting knife Unfortunately for
MN the bear caught tine hand In which
the knife was clutched as 1t was descend
ing Parenteau thought that 1t was over
with him, but the bear seemed anxious to
get her victim around the neck end give
hlm death hug, so she released the hand
and got her paws on both shoulders. Par
enteau doing all that he could to keep out
oil her embrace. In the meantime ke was
applying the knife with all the desperation
OF man who knew that he was in the
very clutches of terrible death, Ihe
bear gave HIM fearful slap in the face,
lacerating the flesh and almost binding
him. She Was now fairly howhng with
pain, as the knife would sink up to the
hilt with every thrust. In the struggle
Parenteau felt his left thigh give way or
leaving IFS socket, and he knew that the
struggle could not last much longer. The
pain and loss of blood were telling on him
rapidly, but he determined to sell his life |
as dearly as possible. Whenever an op-
poriunity offered he buried his trusty knife |
Ia the body OF the bear who showed some |
signs of weakening. His left knee-cap
also received terrible injury and he was
almost crazed with pain. Finally he saw
an opportunity to drive his knife home be-
hind the left shoulder of his enemy and |
she loosened her hold al once. She stood |
over him for moment, with the blood
gushing from eighteen wounds, and then,
falling over on her side, expired.
1t was some moments before Parenteau |
could gather up strength enough to even |
try TO move. He presented the appear
ance OF having been through q slaughter /
house. HIS wounds and the blood from
he beast, which had been squirting Out
upon hIm like water from a fountain, H.
deed caused him to present sapguinary
appearance BE was unable 10 pick up or
carry his gun, but finding SICK close by
he hobbled and crawled along Until the
saw-mIll was reached, some two miles
distant. A messenger was at once dis
patched to Central for DR.. Ashbsugh
and he soon responded. The wounds of The
injured man were dressed and he was made
as comfortable as possible. Pail Paren-
leau, a brother of the wounded man, has
arrived from Mammoth Park. de says
that his brothers injuries are much more
serious than al first reported The bear
got his head in her mouth and actually
-hewed on il for few moments. The
bridge of the nose wss literally crushed
AID shattered into small Particles of bone.
A cavity was created through which the
walls of the throat can be plainly seen.
There is deep incisIoD between the head
and the termination of the spinal column
and the scalp is laceiated and shockingly
Torn in a number of places.