The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-03
harmed and Alone in a Wild Can
yon, Attacked by Bruin
Enraged.
UGH the Startling Predicament Of
Mr.. Best, Of Durango.
Colorado.
, Unequal struggle Ensues to tho Adj
vantage of the Brute-Escape by
FeigniDg Death.

DURANGO, Col, Sept. 2.-Mr. Best, OF TINS
Lace. came very near losing his life the
liner afternoon by being devoured by
,rocious bear, and his escape is probably
ost miraculous in the history OF the
.e state. Mr.. Best was up lighther creek
|,okinp for horses, and was coming down
.e side of steep canon, about ten miles
ON town, and as he drew near portion
!; the trail where the brush and under
|fowth was very thick, he heard crack
|.p and smashing of the scrub-oak on one
|he. Suddenly a low growl met his ear
|ad without further warning the brush
|,rted and Mr.. Best was confronted by
|ree, uely-looking s,lver-tip, or range bear,
lat stood hardly two feet away. For
|,oment bruin stood as if considering what
,ctics to pursue. Then, raising herself
foon her hind feet and waving her paws in
(. e mir, she rushed for Mr.. Best who, totally
harmed, knew not how to escape the infu-
lated animal. As she approached closer
Id closer until he could feel her hot breath
|lainst his face he managed to catch her by
I:e feet and, being possessed on ordinary
lcasions of enormous strength which now
| this exciting moment became superhu-
An. he held her feet in such q manner that
e was unable, though trying her best, to
-ike or tear him with her claws.
|For moment both paused for wind ana
IL. Best was looking for some way 70 leS
| j, hut no way was found. The bear. lind
q herself powerless to crush her VICTIM,
|! IA as he held her feet SO widely apart that
" could do nothing with them, saw ner
In clear to end Mr.. Best's career by eating
| |; head and face which, as both his hands
|sre employed in holding her feet, she
.uld do and he could not prevent It unless
should turn her feet loose, and then she
Ibuld have more advantage than before.
Ihwlv shs leaned her ugly face towards him
vi then opened her enormous mouth and
J k Mr., Best's head inside and lelsureiy
fran to crush in his face and head with
r teeth. Mr., Best was, of course. unable
stop her and was compelled to let her
rsue her man-eatlng course. Finally.
|ercome with pain and loss of blood. Mr..
,st fell backwards, the bear raining on
| p, and being now 80 weak that ne conld
!er no further resistance, bruin finding
!rself free. proceeded to tear and lacerate
| /. Best's face and scalp.
While she was inficting her punishment
ION him she heard, as well as did ner
',tim. who had not yet lost consciousness,
.ot of noise from the brush, accompanied
few sharp growls, which evidently
me from her cubs. Leaving MIs Doet,
started to investigate the trouble there
| a disappeared. Mr.. Best, half uncon-
ious and blinded by the blood that
Is flowing from the many wounds
At had been inflicted on his face and
. ad, was unable to rise, but turned over on
face and tried to think what to do. just
he had determined to try and ind his
y to some ranch or camp he heard the
shes crash and knew that the bear was
,urning. -,
tch anything they think dead, he re-
pached again he kept perfectly still.
min came up and waited for him to jump
move, and seeing that he did not she bit
% on the arm. and then finding he did
! move she nosed him little, and after
v farewell bites grunted to her cubs and
inRed into the brush.
Nj. Best succeeded in dragging himself
"a tie ranch five miles distant and medi-
assistance was summoned. The phy6i-
in found the man in critical condition,
a his recovery is still uncertain. A
fty of hunters have gone in search of the
IL.