The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-08
AN 0LD-T|ME BEAR HUNT.
Encounter With Grizzly on Trib-
utary Of the Missouri River
in 1871.
A Wounded Bear Nearly Ends the
Existence of Bill
Jones.
A Dog Comes to the Rescue and Saves It's
Master at the Expense of its
Own Life.

Awell-known resident Of the Missouri
valley was stopping at the Helena this
week. He has remarkable fund of anec-
dotes and thrilling stories of the plains and
mountains. Among other "reminiscences
he related how he escaped death
from an enraged grizzly bear. will call
him Bill Jones, although that wasn't his
name, and he had brother Sam. In their
younger days Sam and Bill were great HINT
ers, game was plentiful in all parts Of Mon
tana and they usually put in ut least a
month every fall hunting. The time of
which he was speaking was the autumn Of
1873. Bill and Sam had collected their
puts into the Missouri river near the Three
Forks of the father of waters.
They found plenty of deer and . good
deal Of bear sign, but did not see any of
the latter for several days. One Sunday
morning about 6 o'clock, after having
venison and speckled trout. they saddled
up their ponies and started for the hills.
They had gone about a mile when they
spied large bear on the bench
land, walking slowly toward the
high mountains. Here was chance for
to the nearest hills. and as both men were
mounted there was little danger to them in
case the bear showed fight Keeping we'll
out Of sight they circled around till they
came to a ravine which led across the track
of the bear and would bring them in good
shooting distance.
They reached the point aimed at in good
time, and. peering over the brow of the
gulch, saw the game slowly approach.
Guns were got in readiness, the horses So
cured, and every preparation made tor es-
cape should the animal survive the first
E,,c oy,l b. nk,o
| Crouching down beside the ravine the
two brothers watched with bated breath
and deep interest the oncolning OF the bear.
The sun was just rising above the horizon
all was still and calm. The bear came on
without any suspicion of danger ahead
ferocious it looked to the hunters. They
began to get little nervous, but shut theft
teeth hard and gripped their rifles, and
when the bear came to within lOO yards
both rose on their knees and fired. Sam
getting in the first shot. The animal
Uttered fierce growl and fell to the ground
but instantly jumped to its feet and rushed
furiously at the men. They each fired
another shot and then made for theil
horses. Sam mounted his cayuse and can
tered away, but Bill was less fortunate
He got into the saddle all right and put
spurs to his horse, but the poor thing hae
caught sight of the oncoming bear and wa!
simply paralyzed with fright. It tremblec
like leaf and could not be made to move
Bill was now as badly frightened as tn,
horse and yelled and spurred the animal
with all his might in hopes OF escaping
The horse turned partially around and CAM
, near falling to the ground. The bear wa
; now upon them and rose upon its hind fee
to strike. It was badly wounded, and it
> wide, open mouth was filled with blood
} froth. Its eyes cleaned with fury. ~
! tried to shoot, but was too badly scared t
q bring his gun to bear. In 4 moment NOR
= he expected to be torn to pieces by the fu
rious animal. But there was savior q
= hand little dreamed of. The sharp bark q
dog was heard. The bear gave snar
the rear. An insignificant little cur tina
had come to the camp of the brothers fe,
DAYS before and been kindly treated b
them was endeavoring to save the life OF II
master. Again and Hgain was the attac
drawn off by the faithful and courageou
little ANIMAL till the horse recovered froi
its fright and galloped away with its ride
Every time the bear made an attack on tt
man the dog bit it savagely on the run
and caused it to turn. But the last tin
the faithful little fellow failed to esca]
the furious charge of the enraged bear.
its huge paw that crushed il to earth.
The brothers now opened fire on the be-
from safe distance and soon laid it To-
They then sought the dog. The little fello
was lying where he fell. One whole sl'
entirely crushed, exposing his heart
view. He was still alive and when Il
brothers petted him kindly, he wagg
his tail and seemed to smile. as much as
' say it was all right, he had only done
duty and was glad of it. He never uttert
whine or whimper. These stalwa
men were moved to tears at the pitt
- sight It was impossible for the dog
re- live but few hours. They could not be
he to see him suffer, 80 they agreed to end
misery by rifle shot. They took t
bears hide and returned to camp and I
id curing pick and shovel went back a
A dug grave in which the dog was burit
av They marked the spot with a rough boa
", on which was written, "Tramp. Died
ne defense of his master, October, 1873.