The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-12
A DEAR-eAcl< RIDE.
Tho ExcitioE Adventure OF n Bower Trap
per In Alabama.

"
per In Alabama.
Beaver Jack" Smith, the hunter and
trappcr, who roams all over Georgia and
Alabama trapping beaver and otter,
had an exciting adventure with big
black bear not long ngo, says II Biz
lninShan (Ala.) correspondent Of tho
St- Louis Globe-Democrat. Smit.l had
his traps along the banks of the ITALIA
poosa river, in Randolph county, and
had been catching number OF fine,
fat beaver. Ono morning he went to
one of his traps, which WIS n milo
down the river from his camp, and WIS
surprised to find that he had caught q
beur instead of n beaver Tie wa, lust
IN time, rs the bear had pulled tho light;
steel trap from it's fnstcnings and was
making off with the trap hanging TO his
foot with grip he could not shake Off
Smith had left his gun at the camp,
end, seeing that the bear was In an
ugly humor and disposed to show fight,
his first impulse was to let it 20. But
1t would carry off his steel trap, and
steel traps cost money. Then jack
suddenly remembered that IL strclling
Snowman who was In the neighbo1hood
had offered him fifty dollars for u 1.-Two
bear. This decided him; he would cap
turc the bear alive and secure the mon
cy. Smith decided the safest and best
plan to capture the animal would he to
get held of one end Of the steel-trap
chain and faStcl it securely to q tree.
This would hold bruin until he could go
and get help enough to tic him. Tho
bear was walking off down tho
bank of tho river, occasionally
turning to snap and growl at
the steel trap that held one hind
foot in visc-lilsc grip. Smith ran
up and secured the end Of the
chain without trouble, but as no
stopped to fastcn it to n tree the fun
commenced. Tho bear, with n savage
growl, turned and made n rush fox him.
Lie lodged behind tho tree Just In time
to save himself from an embrace that
would have been fatal In moment
the bear had turned and was after him
again, md then began n race around
the tree, Smith all the time holding on
to the chain. Finally they got away
from the tree and nearer the bank of
river. Smith caught his foot under q
vine and fell. lie rose quickly, the
bear stumbled, and then some way,
Smith says he will never know Just
how it happened, he found himself
astride the animals back. He still held
to the chain. Bruin tried to shake Off
his rider, but getting firm hold ON the
long hair of the beast Smith held on.
a new idea suddenly entered the head
of the bear, and with another growl he
plunged into the river. Still tho now
thoroughly frightened hunter held on,
and the bear, with only his nose above
water, struck out for the opposite bank
of the river. lie swan about one hun
dred feet from the bank, and then,
seeming to realize that no was handi-
capped by the weight on his back, he
turned and went back. AS the bear
struggled up the muddy bank Smith
leaped off, and wrapping the end of tho
chain attached to the steel trap around
small tree he fastened it, and then no
had bruin o. captive. lie lost no ti1ne
In going after help, but when he re-
turned in an hour the bear was gone.
The animal had pulled It's captive foot
out OF the trap. A quantity of skin
nnd flesh had been pulled off the bears
leg, but 1t was loose and gone. Smith
did not attempt to find the animal
again. He says bcar-hunting Is not his
occupation.