Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-28
A SIERRA BEAR HUNT.

- SiCnNH DEAN 1ON -
was located some few years since
on the banks of small creek high up
in the Sierras, in Nevada county, Cal.
| was spending summers vacation in
hunting and fishing and otherwise en-
joying the pure mountain air of this
region.
had caught many fire specimen Of
brook and lake trout and had shot
more or less small game and an occa-
sional buck. [ heard that bears
abounded in the vicinity, but had not
thus far seen any, although | had often
encountered their tracks.
| had about given up the idea of this
exciting sport when as [ came out Of
my tent one morning [ saw to my sur
prise, an Indian wigwam pitched less
than one hundred feet distant. Stand
ing at the door of the wigwam was an
Indian, leaning on his rifle. while a
number of squaws and children were
variously scattered about, apparently
gathering fuel with which to build the
breakfast fire.
Finding that the Indians were friend
ly disposed and that the head of the
family, whose name | ascertained to be
Joe, could speak good English, struck
up an acquaintance then and there.
Strange to say Joe had moved up
from his winter quarters in the valley
for the purpose of hunting in the
mountains and | soon learned that Joe
was mighty bear hunter in those
parts.
1t is not to be wondered at then that
we, Joe and |. arranged a grand bear
hunt for the following morning. Joe
had couple of NANCY looking ours
that, he said, were good bear dogs,
which statement [ took for granted.
although l had my doubts in the mat
ter.
As we started out bright and early
the next morning [ noticed that Joe's
family were trailing behind at a re-
spectful distance, and | wondered if
they also were to join in the hunt.
afterward learned that they were not
only a useful but a necessary part of
the expedition.
After skirting along the brow of a
range of hills for some time Joe or
dered a halt. The women and chill
dren went on ahead, while Joe and |
descended to the bottom of a deep
canyon. See" said my companion,
bear, big bearr' l looked about me,
somewhat alarmed I'll admit, but when
| saw Joe pointing to some bear tracks
felt treasured, and we then resumed
our course along the base of the hill.
We had gone on in this manner for
perhaps half an hour when | heard a
succession of screams and yells coming
from the top of the hill, some distance
off. Before | had time to see what it
meant a number of large rocks anG
powders came crashing down thu
ravine a short distance ahead. | then
noticed one of Joe's dogs acting in a
suspicious manner. The bristles on
the ours neck began to stand out
straight as it suddenly stopped in front
of a dense mass of chapparal and
Get gun, quick" said Joe, placing
his own weapon to his shoulder. Mean
while the yells continued, and the
rocks came laundering down the
canyon as before. These were enough
to scare any sort of bear out of his hid
ing place, thought. as | realized the
cause of all the rumpus.
'All right, joe" said l, lust let the
bear show himself; I'll be ready for
- oh, Lord! Here, Joe, help!n l
yelled. | was unable to move hand or
foot and suddenly dropped my gun in
absolute terror.
At last / had seen bear. and a big
one at that, scarcely ten feet off. growl-
ing and swapping at the dogs and, as
near as | could determine, coming
right for me open mouthed.
What monster it was! / could see
its huge claws as it struck at the dogs.
1t was very picture of savage power
and ferocity.
Again yelled to Joe for help, and
then, as the bear had almost reached
me, [ managed to run few steps and
fall sprawling on the ground. Visions
of being chewed and clawed into Miuce.
meat arose before me. and I could al
most feel the brute's hot breath when
two shots rang out upon the air.
The next thing | remember was Joe
asking me to have drink from Il flask
he was holding to my mouth. took
a long. deep pull and then looked
'iIouIt lOI luC Dtdl. HtIc IL "dS ~
ing dead on the ground almost within
reach. The dead and mutilated car
cass of Joes best dog was lying close
beside him.
Joe" said l, Il don't want any
more bear hunting in NINE"
Ugh" replied Joe with his usual
grunt. Big bear Kill dog, kill you
too, s'pose not fire quick shud-
dered at the thought Of this last pros
pect, and | have never hunted for bears
since. nor have I had any desire to.
[ brought the skin of that bear back
with me to San Francisco though.
where it lay for Il long time in my room
as a testimonial $50 my friends
thou@ht?) Of my prowess as a mighty
bear hunter-N Y. Hernid.
Lemon Soap and. Orange Backing