Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-16
BABY IN THE BEAR PIT,
An Exciting Incident OF the Kussel
Family,s Sojeurn In Chicago.
TFron, the Cihica Nexpc

An Exciting Incident OF the Russell
Family's Sojeurn In Chicago.
[From the Chicago News.]
When Mrs. H. Russell of Minneapolis
tucked the bed clothing snugly around her
little 3-year- old daughter Bessie last night
she bowed her head and breathed prayer
of Thanksgiving for the miraculous return
of her golden-haired little darling from the
jaws of death. The innocent blue eyes of
the child had but few hours before gazed
into the faces of the bears in the Lincoln
park sZoo' and had felt their hot breath
on her cheek.
Saturday morning Mr.. and Mrs. Russell
registered at the Auditorium hotel. They
were on pleasure trip and spent the day
visiting the different attractions in the city
Yesterday afternoon they went to Lincol
park, and the little girl Bessie took great
delight in gazing at the animals. Her papa
purchased for her some cake which she
gave Unfortunately to the elephant, the
buffalos, the deer and the other animals.
When they went to the bear pit the huge,
ungainly brutes sat on their launches to
catch in their oapacious mouths the crumbs
thrown them by the laughing child who
danced merrily up and down in her fathers
arms. With no thought of danger the fa-
thor leaned against the iron fence and held
his little daughter high up SO that she
could watch the numbering movements of
the uncouth beasts in the pit. She c1apped
her hands merrily as one of them fell back
ward in a vain endeavor to seize piece of
cake. Just then she gave little jump and
loosened her fathers hold. He tried to seize
her dress-too 1ate-down among the hairy
brutes she rolled, and groan of horror
went up..from the crowd which witnessed
the affair.
The father never hesitated. Placing one
hand on the iron fence he vaulted over
bottom of tho pit. Little Bessie had fallen
plump on top Of one Of the big brutes, and
she appeared uninjured.
There were several bears in the pit into
which the child had fallen-sleek looking,
wel-fed fellows whose meat-digestive
powers had long since been ruined by
sweetmeats and cakes. They seemed more
astonished than angry at the precipitate
arrival of tho visitors, and showed no in
clination to eat them.
Mr.. Russell seized the baby in his arms,
the bears looking on in seeming wonder
ment at this unexpected addition to their
family. The bear pit is about Is feet in
depth, being constructed of rough rock.
Around the inside, about 10 feet from the
ground, a row of curved, sharp-pointed
iron spikes have been placed to prevent
the bears from climbing out. These seemed
to present very effectual barrier to Mr.
Russeps escape, loaded down as he was
with his burden.
Everything was excitement Women
screamed, men shouted and swore, but
none made any efforts to save the man and
child. Every one had lost his head. On
the ground, by the side of the pit, lay a
pole which had been used to remove some
debris from the pit. On the end of the
pole was hook. One of the men recov-
thrust the end of it down into the pit. Mr.
Russell placed the hook nnder a belt which
was around the little girls waist, and slow
ly the precious burden was pulled to the
Zone of the bears seemed desirous of be-
coming acquainted with Mr.. Russell, and in
difident manner shuffied slowly up to
him. Mr.. Russell was watching the man
with the pole, and the first intimation he
had of his danger was when bruin stood up
on his hind legs and looked calmly into
his face. With a yell he sprang backward,
and with a stout cane which had tumbled
with him when he jumped he dealt inquis-
tive bruin a sound whack on the snout.
The bear gave snort of terror and pain
bruins nose is his most tender spot-and
he skunk bowling into corner. The other
bears kept respectful distance.
With the help of the pole Mr.. Russell
then succeed in quickly making his way to
the top, with no injuries except bruised
knee and badly damaged suit of clothing
Mrs Russell had tainted, but kind hands
quickly resuscitated her, apd she sobbingly
clasped her little darling to her breast.
The only injuries that Bessie sustained
were few scratches on the face and a
slightly sprained wrist Mr.. Russell has
foresworn geological gardens and bear pits
Tor the fUtuze,