Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-03-14
THE BEAR AND THE MULE.
DETAILS OF A CONFLICT WHICH WAS
FOUGHT TO A FINISH.

The Bear Shifted at the Heels of a DociIs
Old MuIe-whereupon the Mule Did
Battle with the Weapons Which Nature
Had Proyided-A TussIe.
Ike Garvey and Eph Dunham. brawDy
woodchoppers OF the upper Lehlgh timber
region, took team of mules the other
day and began TO draw railroad ties from
the woods out TO the main road. Along
in the afternoon they let the mules stand
in the wood road while they went ahead 10
cut down a lot of saplingS. Presently they
saw a black bear tramplng through the
snow in the rear OF the sleigh. When the
bear reached the sleigh he turned TO the
right. walked past it, and shifted at the
heels Of the old mule. The mule, who ap-
peared 10 he sleeping when the bear wad-
died up, stuck up his ears at once, raised
his right hind foot like 4 flash, and gave
the bear a terrific kick in the neck. The
bear tumbled over in the snow, partially
stunned 10y the blow, the sharp Calks OF
the mules shoe having cut and bruised
the flesh directly behind his right ear.
Dunham and Garvey laughed heartily
at the mules peculiar conduct, for he had
always been very doCile animal, and
ran down To the team at once. Meantime
the bear had recovered from the kick and
got on his feet again, and was looking
around To see where he was and to ind out
what had hit him. The mule turned his
head and got a glimpse of the bear just a.
Dunham and Garvey came down to the
sleigh. The sight seemed 70 enraGe the
mule. for he became restless. He reared
up, plunged forward, and tried 10 yank
himself away from his mate. Every mo.
ton indicated that he wanted to be let
loose on the bear.
Say We onharneSs him and let him
fight the bear if he wants to" remarked
Garvey.
All right" said Dunham, well do it.'
Durham then jumped TO the mules
head and unsnapped the lines. In an
other second the hame strap and tie
belly band were unbuckled, and the null.
slipped from under the harness with
nothing on except the headstau and col
lar. Then the mule turned straight
around and made for the bear with all his
might He luuged forward with SO much
force and speed that he went right
over the bears back before he stopped
The bear did not attempt to get away
but stood upon his haunches and was
ready TO fight As soon as the mule turned
upon him.
ADVANCING ALL ALONG THE LINE.
The mule struck at the bear sayagely
with both forward feet, but the bear
dodged and thus escaped the blow. Ther
the bear rushed at the mule, uttering
grunt of anger as he did so. and tried tC
strike him in the breast. I he mule, how.
ever, showed more anger and grit than
the bear did, and, as the latter can't
toward him, he struck the bear on the
shoulder with one of his sharp calks, and
the bear, groaning with pain from the
blow. backed away. The mule quickly
followed up the advantage he had gained
and the bear tIlm bled backward over
log, making the snow fly. The mule
leaped over the log and struck the beaI
Oh the back with both fore feet before ht
had time 10 get up, but he paid dearly fol
ii, for the bear twisted his head around
and got the mules right foreleg between
his jaws and bit it badly!
Dunham and Garvey, who had the ut
most confidence in the mules ability tC
conquer the be:r, kept at a safe distance
and watched the fight closely. While the
bear was trying To crush the bone in the
mules leg the mule bit the bears ear anC
made the blood run. A moment later tn.
mule succeeded in yanking his leg frOT
the bears jaws, pranCed around in the
snow after he had done so, and appeared
TO be madder than evs. Then the two
infuriated animals came together again
As the mule raised his frsnt feet 10 strike
the bear sprang under lis body. knocked
his hind legs from under him, and tum
bled him over on his side. The mule
scrambled to his feet in a second, rushed
up to the bear. and gave him such
tremendous thump on the nose that ii
made the bear stagger and roar. He was
not ready 10 retire from the conflict
though, and as he made another effort tC
strike the mule the blood spurted from
his nOstriis. He stuck his nose into tn.
snow and grUaned loudly, and the mul.
stood off a few feet and eyed him steadily
Presently the bear raised his head and
plunged at his antagonist again. The
mule wheeled suddenly as the bear ap
preached him, and, turning mis- tail toward
the bear. kicked him in the Jaw with one
of his hind feet and keeled him over on his
back Before he could get on his feet
again the mule had begun 10 stamp on
hun with his sharp calks The beaI
struggled desperately TO get away from
the terrible blows which his long
Antagonist dealt him, but his efforts were
useless. The bear was getting weaker, (
and, when Dunham and Garvey ran tc
the spot and dubbed the mule off, was
unable Ia rise and was moaning piteOUsly
Garvey at once hit the bear on the top OF
the head with the back of his ak, and put
an end to his sutferings. Cor
respondence