Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-12
THE LATEST BEAR STORY.
A Kentucky woman's Pluck When Pur-
Clothing to Amuse the Brute-Escaped

A Kentucky woman's Pluck When Pur-
sued by Bruin-she Stripped Herself Of
Clothing to Amuse the Brute-Escaped
After q Two Mile Chase.
| AMERICA, KY, Aug. I-Miss Callie McGee
! Of this place, had an experience q few days
| ago that she will not forget and in which she
showed rare courage and presence OF mind
in the face Of the greatest danger.
| America is small hamlet situated in Lee
county, in the wilds Of Eastern Kentucky,
| and consists of two dwelling houses a coun-
try store and postofhce.
| For the past month Miss Callie has been
teaching school in the Bear Creek" district,
| which lies on the waters of Bear creek. In
| going to and returning from school each
| week she is obliged to pass over Bear Wallow
| mountain-so called by the early settlers on
| account of the great number of bears that
| formerly made 1t resting place in their
| migra lions from the Chimney mountains to
the Cumberland. For several years past,
however, no bears have been seen, and the
| inhabitants have long ceased to apprehend
any danger from these animals. Last Satur-
| day Miss Callie started for her home for the
| purpose of passing the Sabbath with her
| mother She was accompanied by her little
niece, who is only years old. The road be-
| tween Bear Creek Valley and America is
| lonely even for mountain road, and from
| the base of the mountain on the one side to
| the foot on the other-a distance of three
| miles-there are no signs of human habita-
tion. While slowly climbing the mountain,
on the further side from this place, the child
trampled upon sharp thorn, and, child-like,
she screamed in her agony.
Bruin Appears on the Scene.
While Miss Callie was trying to pacify her
she was suddenly startled by rustling of
the bushes at one side Of the road, and
upon looking around discovered a large
black bear stepping slowl:s and cautiously
into the road about 40 yards in her rear.
For moment Miss MCGEE stood gazing at
the bear, too terrified to seek safety. Then,
catching up the child in her arms, she fed
rapidly up the steep mountain side. Casting
terrified glance backward over her shoul-
der, she was appalled, to see the bear break
into numbering gallopand start in pursuit.
The child, frightened at the unusual actions
OF her aunt, was screaming at the top Of its
voice, and the bear apparently redoubled
his efforts to catch them. Painting and gasp
ing for breath, she at length reached the top
of the mountain almost exhausted, and upon
looking back discovered the bear still in
pursuit and rapidly decreasing the distance
between them, being now scarcely 20 yards
behind her. Occasionally the bear gave an
angry snort, as if enraged at being baked of
his intended prey. His heavy, ,labored breath
ing. was now distinctly audible to her ear,
and she realized that her strength was falling.
and that it was impossible for her to con-
t1nue her present pace much longer. Clasp
ing the child still more closely to her bosom,
foot her pursuer. While continuing her
Hight the child's hat, with its gay ribbons
and flowers, became accidentally disar-
ranged and fell to the ground: After run,
ming 100 yards or more Miss McGee ventured
TO look back once more, and her relief may
be imagined when she saw the bear biting
and tearing at the hat lying on the road.
How She Fooled the Bear.
Miss MCGEE said that at sight of this she
instantly recovered presence of mind, and
coolly began to calculate on her chances for
escape and her best method of procedure.
She knew that the nearest house in which
she could seek safety was still nearly ~
miles distant, and the chances of meeting
anyone able to assist her on that lonely
mountain road were very few. She knew
that she could not keep up her present rate
of speed much longer. so she moderated her
gait, although she still made good time.
She had gained perhaps 200 yards on the
bear, when upon looking around she dis
covered him again starting in pursuit, hav-
ing succeeded in demolishing the hat. She
now rapidly proceeded to divest the child of
Upon reaching the spot in the road where
the garment was lying the bear again stopped
and proceeded to destroy it before contfnu-
ing his pursuit. Miss MCGEE made good use
of the time lost by the bear, and when he
again started In pursuit she was a good dis
tance ahead. As he again neared her she
threw the child's dress down into the road,
and again the attention of the bear was at
tracted and a few precious moments gained.
She continued this method. Coollv waiting
each time until the bear had nearly over
taken her, then i dropping some article m Of
was entirely divested of clothing, then she
began upon herself. She was already within
less than mile of a dwelling and began to
feel confident of her ability to delay the
animal until she reached it.
Ended by Shooting the Brute.
Her gloves were first sacrificed, and
gained few moments respite from pursuit
Her hat went next, then basque, and last of
all her dress skirt. The latter succeeded in
holding the attention of the bear until she
reached the house of Mr.. John Miller and
was once more in safety, although almost
destitute of clothing.
The bear, attracted by the squealing of
somo pigs in pen near the road, made no
effort to effect an entrance into the house.
but left the road and went to the pen for the
purpose of procuring a pork dinner. Mr..
Miller was not at home. and the bears
chances for securing young porker seemed
to be good, when Miss McGee took down O
Winchester that was above the door, and,
despite the entreaties of Mrs. Miller, the
plucky teacher proceeded to the pen. AS
the bear saw her approaching he reared
upon his hind legs and stood ready for fight.
Miss Callie quickly brought her rifle into pc
sition and fired, the bali passing through
the animals heart, and he fell dead. He |
proved to be ''whopper," and tipped the |
beam at 2s71a pounds.
Miss MCGEE is naturally somewhat proud |
of her achievement, and all here in the |
mountains are proud Of her, and are talking |
n a al iph
token of appreciation of the GOODNESS |
and courage she displayed under circum- |
stances which were sufficient to shake the |
nerves of the boldest of men. |
MILLIONS OF MOSQUITOES.