Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-15

BETWEEN HUNTER, INDIANS AND GRIZZLY
BEARs.-THE HUNTER REMAINS IN
Possession OF THE FIELD.
You will see by the map that the Sal
mon river of Idaho, has its rise in the
Salmon River mountains. Two small
creeks meeting at the north end of the
mountains, form the Salmon, but it is not
much of stream urtil it receives Wild
Cat, Bitter Sweet, and other creeks down
toward the Bitter Root mountains.
| had journeyed to the forks OF the
Upper Salmon with band of hunters and
trappers, and while they had spent the
winter in trapping for furs and pelts, |
had developed the fact that coal, mica,
slate. marble, copper, and other minerals
were to be had for the asking in the noun
tains Owing to the depth of snow and
severity of the weather. had not finished
my work of prospecting when spring
came, while the trappers were ready to
abandon the exhausted field and move
east into the foot hills of the Bitter Root.
On the first day of Nav was left alone.
had horse, two pack mules, a rifle,
two revolvers and plenty of food and
ammunition. As soon a. the men left me
pulled up stakes and moved around to
the east side of the mountain where there
was less wind and more sunshine. Be-
tween the foothills and the mountain was
long, narrow. winding valley, varying
in width from ten to fifty feet. The snow
was just leaving this valley, and the grass
Of last season had been preserved in pala-
table shape for the horses.
Nothing of special interest occurred I'M
til the third of June On that morning.
while cooking breakfast, monster griz-
zlv, the first one seen during the winter.
suddenly appeared within two hundred
feet of my camp fire, coming up the wind
ing valley from the south. | was between
him and the horses, but the latter were so
terrified that had they not been stoutly
staked out, they would have made their
escape.
The bear halted. as l said, and as he
displayed no intention to come nearer,
did not wish to provoke him by any act of
hostility. He was in lean condition,
with his shaggy coat in anything but pre-
sentahle shape. He stared at me with Gu
rous eyes, shifted the air, grew uneasy
after few minutes. and finally numbered
off down the valley out of sight. | was
thoroughly glad to be rid of Bruin, but
before had finished my breakfast he re-
turned and brought two other grizzlies
with him, all full grown
Well armed as was, | realized that |
stood no show against the three. The
horse was wild with terror. and the mules
were so overcome that they lay down with
weakness. | piled on the brush. and as
the fire blazed and cracked the bears
took alarm and galloped off. looking back
to see if they were pursued.
The presence OF these monsters an
noyed me more than can explain. was
more uneasy than if / had discovered
three Indians providing about A grizzly
bear is the natural foe of everything that
lives. He is without fear. His strength
is something astounding. He will fight
twenty men as soon as one. Fire all the
bullets from the chamber of a Winchester
into him and not one may strike a vital
spot. The sight of flame and smoke had
kept them from attacking me, but was by
no means satisfied that they would aban-
don the field.
The only plan to save the horses was to
build another fire above them. In one
spot the valley narrowed until it was not
more than eight feet wide and here | built
solid fire of heavy limbs-one which
would last for whole day. A quarter of
a mile below the camp found another
good spot and built another fire, and then
felt comparativee safe. The only fear
was that would keep the bears away to
bring Indians down upon me. The heavy
smoke could be seen for 90 miles, and il
seen by red men they would certainly in.
vestigate.
did not leave camp that day, being
busy with specimens and in making re-
pairs to my clothing. and the day and
night passed without an alarm of any sort
This put me in good spirits, and | per
mitted the fires to die down to great beds
of Goals, which would retain their heat all
day, and soon after break fast shouldered
my rifle and started off down the valley to
prospect and investigate. You may be-
ieve that kept my ewes open for sight
of grizzlies, but they seemed to have left
the neighborhood for good.
At the end of about five miles the val
| lev suddenly broadened or debouched into
another This larger valley opened in
from the broad plains, and was mile
! long. had no sooner rounded mass OF
rock and earth and brought the larger val
| ley into view than my ears were greeted
with terrible yell. Right before me and
not over quarter OF a mile away, were
seven or eight Indians surrounding a small
camp fire. with their ponies grazing near
! by.
At such a time as that men think and act
quickly. If ran back up the valley such
action would uncover my camp and lose
my animals. There was no place at hand
to make successful defence, with the odds
so much against me. As the Indians
sprang to their feet turned to the right
and dashed into ravine opening into the
mountain itself, There was stream run
ming down it from the melting snow, but
presently found fairly beaten path run
ming along up the ravine and winding
! through the trees and around rocks.
Knowing that my lite was at stake. put
forth every effort to reach a defensive
spot.
When had gone up the ravine 800 fee,
| found further progress impossible. Right
before me was an opening into the cliff
into which a man on horseback could have
entered. while the width was all OF 20 feet
| dashed into the place to find myself in a
large chamber. The light was very dim,
but saw two drifts leading off from this