San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-30
ROPED A CINNAMON BEAR.
Dick Dunn and His Intelligent
Horse Lead Bruin Into Camp.


Horse Lead Bruin Into Camp.
Virginia City Madisonian.
John and Dick Dunn, brothers, who
have charge of Filing & Buford's
herds on the upper Madison, one
morning last week discovered large
cinnamon bear roofing around on the
side of the mountain, about six miles
from their camp. Dick proposed
to his brother that they 60
up, rope and bring him into camp;
but John said he had important bust
nee in another direction, and advised
Dick to let the bear alone. But Dick
had made up his mind to take the
bear in, or at least make q desperate
effort to do so. Being mounted on q
large, feet horse, which was we'll
trained to the rope, he provided HIM
self with q stout "lasso," and struck
out to have little amusement on his
own hook.
He had little trouble In approach
ing within reaching distance of his
game, and with that unerring dexter
lty for which the genus cowbow is
renowned, in throwing his rope around
bruins neck. This accomplished,
then began the tug Of war-his bear
ship to free himself from the gradu-
ally Tightening moose, and his captor
to prevent him from doing so and at
the same time to keep himself and
horse out of danger. The contest for
the mastery was animated and lasted
for several minutes. during which it
was q question as to whose banner
victory would perch upon. Dick was
confident, his only fear being that the
rope might not Withstand the terrible
strain to which it was subjected, and
the bear was furious and determined.
The noble horse stood ground as
true as steel and firm as rock, SEEM
ing to fully realize the prompt and
important duty required of him, and
to enjoy the sport rs much as the in
trepid rider. Given the rein, he never
permitted the rope to slacken for an
instant, but held every inch he had
gained and kept gradually moving
down the mountain side. AS bruins
heavy breathing showed that his
wind was about shut off by the con-
stantly tightening cord, his efforts to
free himself became less frantic, and
his passive submission to the process
of being yanked down hill indicat-
ed that he was vapquished for the
time at least.
Dicks spirits rose. After dragging
the mammoth beast, which weighed
800 or 700 pounds, for three or four
miles, halt was made to give the
horse a breathing spell. The rope
being allowed to Loosen up little,
Mr.. Bear awaited himself of the OPP
portunity thus afforded him to guIp
down a few draughts of ozone, of
which essential element he had been
nearly or quite deprived for the last
hour or more. The effect of the
breath of fresh air was marvellous in
demonstrating the wonderful vitality
and recuperative powers of the genus
ursus, and came near proving disas-
trous to his captor and the horse.
The bear, taking advantage of the
slack given him, regained his feet.
No sooner had he done so than he
made a vicious bound for the horse.
But that animal seeming to realize
that eternal vigilance is the price of
security when fighting a bear, by
dexterous turn, known only to the eX-
perienced "rope horse" eluded the
spring of bruin without serious injury,
and soon had him PROSTATE, with the
rope drawn tightly about his throttle,
never letting up again until he had
landed him safely in tight and high
corral at camp, where Dick secured
him to snubbing post, backing his
horse out through the gate, which he
barred securely.
Here was another dilema. There
was no gun with which to kill the
bear, and, if left for any considera BILE
length of time in the corral he would
surely make his escape. The nearest
place at which gun could be had
was at George Lyons, three or tour
miles distant. There was no time to
lose, and Dick did not waste any, but
lit out to get a gun, which he did,
and returned with it as fast
as his horse could carry him. On
his return he found the bear still in
the corral, but he had succeeded in
freeing himself from the rope. A
we'll aimed ball from the rifle put an
end to his life. His huge carcass
was neatly dressed and the meat dis
tributed among the neighbors, and
the hide is preserved by Dick as a
trophy of his successful adventure,
which, as a feat of reckless daring
and fearless determination, has but
few parallels among the recorded in
cidents of frontier life.