The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-20
" MINNIE" WAS LOOSE.
A Lively Chase After q Bear at
Sutro Heights.

What seemed very funny to Mike, the
bear-keeper at Sutro Heights, on Thursday
looked rather serious and anything but
funny to other employees and visitors to the
heights. Minnie, the 7O0-pound black bear,
broke her "moorings" and became very
much elated at the prospect of picnic all
to herself, with the privilege of climbing
any tree she saw fit in the old grove of the
park.
Her first attempt after gaining freedom
was to force the kitchen door, but this being
boted by the servants she went to every
other door of the house, and finally, with 3
Il hope / don't ntrude" sort of modesty,
she climbed the front door steps to pay her
compliments to the family. Here she was
greeted by every member of the household
with f1attened noses against tho window
panes. John, the butler, who professed to
know all about bears, opened the door and
"shoo'd" her off as be would an old and in
"sho0'd off, worth cent, and slam went
the door in her face.
Johns nose was again flattened against
pane, watching Miss "Minne's" NEXT move.
Some thoughtful person rushed to the tele-
phone connecting the house with the gate
"Minnie's loose!' Send all the men to the
house." flashed across the wires. Thirteen
within easy distance were at once dis
patched, and rushing to the rescue with
picks, shovels and crowbars formed a
formidable array, but with laudable dis
erection remained at a very respectful dis
lance, while Minnie" in spite Of her en-
OrmouS bulk ran up tree after tree like cat.
Her antics for while were very enter
tanning to many visitors who looked on.
supposing that the dangling chain from her
neck was safely anchored to the ground,
and that the show was a little variety, in
troduced by Mr.. Sutro for their entertain
ment. Suddenly the sound of alarm and
abe sight OF an armed force suggested some
thing wrong. and as suddenly there was n
scattering for places of safety. Even the
cOw-house was much sought after.
Ladies. gentlemen and children rushed
frantically to the parapet one, much holder
than the rest, closing the night-gate after
them.
The retreat was continued across the par
apet and down the narrow rock-hewn steps
to the espa0ade below. thence round the
eastern esplanade (the nearest exit from the
grounds). Here they again encountered the
apparent danger from which they were so
hurriedly retreating-" Minnie" on her hind
feet calmly surveying the attacking force,
still at distance. At once there was
another retrograde movement, and such a
scampering for the narrow steps, that at
their base people were scampering over
each other like the youthful offspring of a
hog-ranch at mealtne.
One of the funniest Incidents OF the "deliy-
cry" was that Mike, the keeper, was off on
other duty, and knew nothing of the affair
until he saw an excited gardener, called
'Frenchy," with a green and pointed pole
about ten feet long, and yelling "the
chain Is broke-the bear is up the trees"
And where are you going with that
stick ?" asked Mike.
II was with the French army in Africa
and understand the animal. will kill the
bear" rejoined Frenchy.
You'll think you are with the French
army If you go fOoling round her with
stick painted green, lookin' like dragon
on foot. Get out"
However, Frenchy, undaunted. advanced
with his pike to within twenty-five feet Of
the bear, who by this time was looking for
new diversions, and, supposing that Frenchy
was ON for game of singlestick, quietly
arose OH her hind feet and advanced to the
fray. Frenchy, in true military style, stood
his ground, for about as long as you could
wink, once-then put" for dear life, and
was not seen the balance OF the day. Mikes
answer to inquiries as TO the whereabouts of
Frenchy was:
"Oh, the poor man meant well, and went
to the city after the Coroner and Chief O.
Police"
Minnie" was finally captured by French