Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-19

huge grizzly from a thicket near 5y, and
made toward Gabe in twinkling.
1t was not the first time Gabe had
faced grizzly, for he had killed many a
near and knew no such term as coward in
their presence. So he threw down his
load quickly, but cody, and hauled up
MS winchester and fired. Gabe had in
tended TO break the bears neck, but the
closeness or the animal and the necessary
haste IN shooting caused the bullet to 90
VIDE or Its aim, but 1t tore out the bears
right eye and deprived the brute of half
OF IFS power of vision. The shot scarce
~ checked the mad beast; for it rose on
It's 1eet, aud before Gsbe could fire a
second time the bear struck his gun from
hls hanas and 1t was sent spinning rods
away, while the force of the blow made
Glbe whirl around for q mornant a = -
was top In the hands OF a schoolbov.
He fell some distance from the bear VET
he was on his feet in a twink,ino end
braced himself for a grappIe.
Uttering horrid growl that fairly froza
the blood OF his antagonist. the hear fol-
lowed up his stroke, and with optstrstcbad
arms, both hunter and bear clipche5 in o
hand TO paw contest and fell tn the
ground, rolling and tumbling over and
over down the steep, craggy sides of the
mountain, the bear believing and roaring
with pain and rage, while the hunter, who
had drawn his sharp knife from its
sheath III his hunting belt, was viciousIv
plunging 1t to the hilt at every stroke in
TO the sides of the animal. Blood quickly
followed, besmearing both combatants.
The embraces OF the bear, though at
disadvantage, were terrific and Gabe
nearly lost his breath during the frightful
hugs, but 1t only made him the more des-
perate as he began to think his time had
about come and he must get in his work
quickly.
By lucky stab and slash of the knife
on the bears head Cabs cut the left eve
ball of the animal in two and compIetelv
destroyed the brute's vision. AS the eve
ball streamed from it's socket the bear he
came doubly enraged, and catching the
left side Of Gabe's head in his mouth he
instantly tore off an ear and part of the
hunters scalp. In moment more both
Gabe and the bear, tight in each others
embrace and fighting desperately, had
reached fifty foot precipice. Down they
WeLt, whlrling and tumbIing among the
brush and rocks below. The bear, being
heaviest, struck first, and Gabe was thus
saved from instant death. The hard shock
caused both to loosen their holds and
bound several feet apart from each other.
The bear was evidently stunned by the
copcussion, and Ga5e was on bis feet
first and out of the formers reach. The
grlzzly's wrath in endevoring to find his
enemy was terrible. He ran in various
directions, tore the ground and wreaked
his vengeance on the bushes by pulling
ano tearing them into shreds. Keeping
OFT of reach of the infatuated monster,
Gabe endeavored TO find the knife which
ne had dropped from his grasp in the fall.
At last he discovered the missing weapon,
and grasping the handle firmly, he ap-
preached the grizzly and plunged the
blade into the latter's body With all the
strength he could summon
The bear whirled in twinkle, and
Gabe made narrow escape, leaving the
knife still sticking in the animals body.
The bear now plunged about among the
rocks and brush in the maddest agony.
Remembering his Winchester and re-
volver, Gabe made long dotour to get
above the top of the precipice to secure
them. On nearing the place he tainted
and fell senseless with exhaustion.
How long he remained in this condi-
must have been at least an hour. On
coming TO he was SO weak from loss of
blood that he could only crawl to his gun
and revolver on his hands and knees.
The BEARS stroke had broben the gun so
that it Yves useless. Resting awhile, and
recovering his strength he returned be-
low the precipice and found the bear sit
sing up and rubbing his eyes in vain eff
fort to see. Gabe opened fire, and at
each shot the bear would charge in the
direction OF the sound, but being sight
less and the ground uneven he would fall
and tumble around in the most reckless
manner. Ten shots finished him, an
Gabe went home and secured help, and
when he YVES hauled to the hunters cabin
he was found to weigh 1,200 pounds.
The loss Of an ear and part of his
scalp, besides being lacerated in various
other places, did not effect Gebe's cour-
age, and when seen by your correspond
ent he declared that he is still a match
for any grizzly that ever walked.