Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-09-04
"A TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER.
Stirring Adventure of an Old Bear
Hunter.
BY DELBERT s. WINS.

About sixty miles above the pleasant
little village of Sherman, on the Manis-
tee River, in Northern Michigan, is q
natural phenomenon, known as the In
dian bridge, which completely spans
the river and is about one hundred and
fifty feet in width. Here the river is
wide and the banks on either side are
low. The water runs under the bridge
in six or seven different channels, and
makes loud bubbling noise as it me-
anders among the timbers that form the
foundation of the bridge. The surface
Of the bridge is covered with a rich al
luvial soil from three to four feet in
depth and is thickly studded with large
and small trees of many varieties
sam of fir. hemlock, and white cedar
predominating.
Howard Meesic, an early pioneer set
tier in the Grand Traverse region of
Northern Michigan, related the follow
ing story, the truth of which is youched
for by several of his neighbors:
A short distance above the Indian
bridge the river banks become abrupt
and rocky, and high bluffs arise. On
the north side the bluffs are divided by
what is known as Dry Canyon.
I'm those days, better place than
Dry Canyon for a good days hunt
would have been hard to- find; for it
fairly abounded with such small game
as rabbits, quail, grouse, wild turkeys,
squirrels, etc., and such large game as
bear, wild hogs, and deer, to say moth
ing of the numerous carniyerous beasts
that infest it, such as panthers, lynx,
wild cats, wolves and the like.
Il had been hunting and trapping in
this region for about two years, but had
not gained much distinction as bear
hunter till the fall of 1867, though as q
marksman with the rifle had the repu-
tation of being dead shot, but never
had taken much interest III bear hunt
ing.
BILL Leonard, my hunting com
panion, and i had constructed good
comfortable cabin a short distance
from the Indian bridge, and intended
to put in several days in hunting and
trapping before returning to the settle
ment.
"One morning in the early part Of
November / awakened to find that q
heavy snow had fallen during the night
and upon going out doors / noticed
numerous bear tracks in the snow; SO
decided to spend the day in hunting
bruin.
after breakfast Bill and / buckled
on our cartridge belts, shouldered oul
trusty Henry rifles, called our dogs and
started out, closely following the beal
tracks which led up the canyon.
after we had gone about half mile
the tracks became somewhat scattering
SO thought the best plan for us tt
pursue would be to separate. which we
did.
After leaving Bill, I followed the
direction, as the tracks indicated
taken by the greater number of bears
taking, of course, my faithful canine
with me.
Il had proceeded only short dis
lance when my eye fell upon two large
black bears which were just disappear
ing over small hill.
Il FASTENED to the top of the hill ovel
which had seen the animals disappear
Approaching the point cautiously, ant
bringing as did so my rifle into posi-
tion, / expected to obtain good sho
at the bears without being seen myself
When reached the top of the hill
the beasts were just crossing the small
gulch at the lower end of the OPP
posite side, and not more thar
four rods away. Drawing my
rifle to my shoulder, / tool
good aim at the foremost one ani
fired my aim was good, for with loud
howl of pain the bear rolled over in the
snow dead.
II then rose to my feet and ran dowr
the hill expecting to kill the other beal
at the next shot; but imagine my sur
prise and fearful astonishment when
upon gaining the foot OF the hill, ger
ceived that the gulch was fairly lined
with bears on all sides, ] realized my
danger too late to fee, for already they
were closing in behind, in front Of, ani
ell around me. All there was now tt
do was TO fight to the bitter end-to di,
Strengthening bears.
= had forfeited all chances Of escap,
when I had rushed blindly yes, madl,
Into the bears midst. No, there wa
nothing now but to do or die. / di,
not, however, calculate to die without
struggle. and still thought it possibl,
even to escape.
The first bear that showed aggress
i've signs, sent rolling in the snos
with loud howl, with bullet in hi
brain. This was the opening Of th.
battle. I commenced firing right ant
left, pressing my way in the meantime
as best I could, through any opening
between the bears that might presen
& itself ] hoped that Bill might be at
tracted towards me BY the sound OF M,
J gun, but this hope was never realized
Bill heard no sound of gun at all
he did he paid no attention to it. Blu
my dog Cd unusually large canine .
the Shepherd type proved his fdelit
to me, and his courage as well, BY say
agely attacking every bear that neare
me. ! finally succeeded II getting Il