The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-06
MANICURlNG MONARCH.
San Franchises Giant Grizzly Fought
His Keepers Two Hours.

San Franchises Giant Grizzly Fought
His Keepers Two Hours.
From the San Francisco Examiner,
1t recently became necessary to trim the
nails Of Monarch the big and savage grizzly
who inhabits a small cage in the Woodward
gardens. Monarch has not been accus-
toned to the attentions of a manicure, and
he began to protest as soon as he saw the
first preparations made The first step
was strengthening the cage to withstand
the assaults that be was sure to make upon
the bars, by setting heavy timbers
and braces against the front. The
grizzly knew that some interference with
him was contemplated, and he growled at
the carpenters and every body else who came
near his den. Then Supt. Ohnimus brought
out lot of ropes. blocks and other con-
trivances desi I ned to restrain the personal
liberty Of a bear, and Monarch manifested
disapproval Of the arrangements, which he
watched with vigilant interest.
Had the bear been in a large open space.
where the RATA could be used, 1t would have
been but few minutes work 10 lasso his
paws and stretch him out upon the ground,
but the narrow spaces between the bars
gave q man no chance TO throw a rope
As BOON as the first rope wasput into the
cage the grizzly put himself on guard and
prepared for the row. He had boon there
before, and he did not propose to be roped.
He throw the moose off as soon as it fell over
his head. and when it was about to drop
over pow he threw it aside as cleverly as
Corbett turns aside a BOXERS glove. A
moose left on the floor for him to step In
was of no avail. He would not step ia IL.
Sometimes he leaped over 1t, aud at other
times he swept it out Of his way or picked
it up with his claws and threw 1t against
the bars.
For nearly two hours they unanswered to
get Monarch's paw into a moose, but his
skill In defense was equal to theirs. He
knew they were after his paws, and he per-
sisted in doubling them under his body and
lying down upon them. He never lost his
head or got ratified, and it was impossible to
catch him off his guard.
When he became warm and thirsty he
went straight to his water trough in a front
corner of his cage, swept the rods and ropes
out of his way and drank keeping his paws
under him and defeating every effort to en-,
snare while he was drinking. he was not
aggressive as a rule, although once or twice
he lost his temper and tried to get hold Of
the mon whom he regarded as his wanton
tormentors. He made determined, intel
hgent, defensive fight, aud royal good fight
IL was. winning respect for his courage and
admiration for his intelligence, quickness,
strength and skill
Once, after very hot and lively bout
with the ropes and rods, when the men tried
to confuse him and catch him off his guard
he stood upin corner, exerted bis enormous
strength against the iron roof and then
lifted up his voice In the long. deep howl Of
despairing rage. The action was eloquently
expressive. 1t plainly said:
III could only get out Of this den for a
moment and have fair chance with these
fellows who are Fostering mel"
But he could not get out, and accident
soon gave the men their opportunity. While
Monarch and all hands were resting and
taking breath moose fell over the BEARS
arm. As soon as ii was noticed four men
seized the rope and hauled it taut.