The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-03-01
A Brush Valley Huntss Tells an In
terosting Bear Story.

A correspondent tothe Lewisburg
Saturday News gives the following
concerning an old hunter from
Brush Valley Reuben Slower, the
veteran huuter story teller, and pro-
proprietor Of the 'IInntsmau's Re-
treat at the head Of Long Narrows,
Brush Valley, Centre county, con-
trary to expectations. did not retire
to bis bole after seeing his shadow
on the 2nd inst, but braved the
storm Of Tuesday last, aud came
down to spend few days with
some OF his old cronies in this vi
cipity. Mr.. Stover was born near
Madisouburg in 1887, and copso-
quently Las passed his fiftie'b mile.
stone, but he has the appearance
and all the vigor Of man OF forty,
and is appearently jas' in the prime
of his life, with many more bunting
seasons stlll before him. He is
born sportsman, and asa conse-
quence of having spent the greater
part Of bis life in the wilds Of Cen
tire county, his career as hunter
has perhaps very faw parallels. He
has numerous fuud OF anecdotes OF
thrilling adventures with denizens Of
the forest, and his familiar acquain.
tances never tire OF hearing him re-
late them, which be does 10 most
pleasing manner and interspersed
with sparkling bits OF native humor.
making the most startling situation
ludicrous in the extreme and elicit-
ing roars OF merrimept from his
auditors. 1t was our good fortune
TO drop into MIR. Dr'ssinap's store,
West Milton, Tuesday last, where,
after having jnst partaken Of hear
ty dinner, and being cons quently il
his hoppiest mood, we found the
celebrated old nimrod ensconced in
au arm chair by the fire, and sur~
rounded by q number OF interested
aud admiripg friends.
After few remarks nbont the
weather, and the difficulty he ex,
perienced in getting here through
the immense snow drifts, in response
to request Of Mr.. Robert Dates
man, that he relate TO us his adven-
ture with the ouIy bear which ever
chased him, Mr.. Stover proceeded
as follows:
'You want to hear about the time
was chased ty bear Well, it hap
peued in the fall of 'S2 or 'S3. N.Y.
self and four or five others had start
ed out that morning after deer, and
| was stationed at crossing on
the side Of q mountain. l had been
stahdiug there some time, and was
getting cold aud beginning to wish
for some excitement, when, as il il
direct response to my wish, heard
a loud cracking Of underbrush, in O
small thicket hundred yards to my
left, and my experience led me tc
have no doubt but what there was q
bear and big one at that, in the
thicket.
As the sounds seemed TO DO grow
ing more distinct every minute, |
retired behind tree and awaited
the approach Of bruin. In very
few minutes he made his appear
ance in the deer path and not more
than fifty yards from me- Well
gentlemen, that was the biggest
bear ever saw, and he stood per"
fectly still and looked right towards
me. II was beautiful shot and
left him have it, aud he dropped
like log.
/ am generally very cautions when
dealing with such large game, SC
before going to examine the sup
posed dead animal, commenced to
reload my gun which was an old
muzzle loading piece. ] lad poured
in the powder. and wns soout to ram
it home when ! raised ,ny eyes, aud
as | did SO, my hair raised also, and
my heart jumped up into my mouth
Well, sir, l think that was the only
time I was ever scared, and ] think
any one else in my position just
then would have been scared as bad
as INes.
| There, lot fifty feet away, and
looming riaL for me. was that bear,
!, which i bad supposed dead. I saw
Il a eleucs ths(s hs ~ y anything
lbul . plsyful bSnorf sa6 y dld aos