Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-22
CARRIED OFF BY A BEAR.
The Remarkable Experience of a Northwestern Hanchman Named
 

Peterson.
 From the Tacoma Daily News
 A rancher named Johnson, living in the southern part of Pierce county, who was in the city yesterday afternoon, told while here of the most thrilling encounter of a neighbor of his with big black bear. Though the story seems incredible, Johnson declared it to be true in every particular, and at the request of a reporter who met him gave the facts in detail. They are these:
 The man whom bruin attacked is John Peterson, who lives on a small ranch about 20 miles south of Tocoma. Peterson lives in 6 small log cabin, and one evening last week left the door partially open when be went to bed, to allow better circulation of air through the cabin. For supper he had enjoyed beef stew, and when the meal was over had placed the kettle con- taining the remainder on a board just out side the door. Peterson lives alone, his nearest neighbor being Johnson, who oc- cupies a cabin half mile away.
 Peterson retired to his usual peaceful slumbers, intending to get up early in the lo kO usulIlE III Int CTcrA nSaE bN before beginning his days labor. But he was aroused much earlier than he had ex- pected. A heavy tread on the floor awak- ened him. As he rubbed his eyes he felt the hot breath of some large animal blow ing directly against his face. The room was slightly lighted by the open door. Pc terson rubbed his eyes and gazed upward the next second he screamed from fright: the intruder was a bear. His screams brought on an attack. Bruin siezed the prostrste man and bore him out the door and down the trail toward his lair. His teeth pierced the poor mans skin. The pain was intense. As the bear trotted slowly along with his prize just one faint hope arose in poor Peterson's mind. If the bear continued in the same course for half mille he would pass near to John, sons house. The bear did so.
 By this time the rancher was nearly ex- hausted, but summoning his fast failing courage he raised his voice to a shout as bruin made turn in the path and came near his friends cabin. The shout was repeated again and again. Peterson's heart began to fail him. Would there be no responsei But at last there was. As the bear left the trail and struck of to- ward the thicker woods the cabin door slammed shut and Petersos's hopes again began to rise.
 Then followed a race. Peterson kept shouting, Johnson answering at intervals and hurrying along as fast as he could. Bruin got tired and occasionally dropped his victim. This allowed Johnson to catch up, but every time the bear dropped him he was sure to plant his teeth in an other part of Peterson's body. For two miles the race continued, and then as the morning light began to turn the darkness of night into the gray dawn of morning Johnson finally caught up. The bear dropped his prey and prepared to fight. A Rot from Johnson's rifle sent him rod away, bowling with pain and rage. He advanced, hut second bullet hit him in 8 vital part and silenced him forever. Johnson bound up Peterson's wounds as best he could and conveyed him in a faint ing condition to his own cabin. He suf- fered greatly from loss of blood, and is still so weak as to require a constant watcher at his side. The next day a phy- sician was secured to attend to his wants, and with careful nursing it is believed he will recover.
 Johnson came to the city yesterday to obtain medicine for his friend, returning on horseback this morning. The bear was skinned and proved to be the largest one ever seen in that neighborhood. It was estimated to weigh over five hundred pounds. Bruin, it was found, had fin ished Peterson's stew, and was probably attracted to his cabin by the odor from the kettle containing it.