Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1891-04-03
A DOCTORS FREE RIDE.
It Was on the Back OF q Hugo
Black Bear.
Tho Ludlcrous Scene Presented by tho
Son OF ESculapius In His Hcadlong
Charge on Ills Singular
Steed.


patient some three miles west of this
place, had n curious adventure with q
bear. He was driving along in gig,
writes correspondent of the Chicago
Journal, and had just crossed the south
fork of the Obion river, and was pass
ing along q heavy growth of cane, when
he heard an uncarthly noise behind
him. lie tarncd, CHANGING lcisurcly
over his shoulder, and what was his
surprise to see Il big black bear running
after the gig.
Mr.. Matthews said he had TO business
with that fellow, and whipped his horse
up to faster trot. The horse 1T first
went along smoothly, but soon shifting
bruin, became unmanageable. The
horse reared and pitched about, and DIR.
Matthews knew the bear would be up
with him presently, which would lend
worse face to affairs, and tried every
way possible to soOth the horse but
finally getting ovcr-eXcited ut the I'M
ruly animal, he struck him on the flank
with all the strength at his command,
whcrcupon the horse made n violent
start. causing the unwary physician to
complete 4 SomcrSault in the air, and
as he came down from among the clouds
he landed astraddlc of the bears back.
This was Il surprise to bruin, who
pitched out as fast as he could travel.
DR.. Matthews clung to his shaggy stced,
however, and having his riding spur3
on, he drove them in bruins flank,
which added moro than ever to the big,
black bears desire to get away from
this terrible enemy. The bear fairly
fCn
q lolling and his stubby tail thrown to
the passing breeze, with the daring
doctor holding on for dear life DIR.
Matthews had retained his grip on the
! whip rs he went over backwards from
his gig, and, being an adventurous sort
of n follow, he cracked bruin over the
head with the butt end of the whip.
This added TO the bears already OK
cited nature, and he came to q sudden
stop, but the doctor was there, too.
! Bruin then lay down and rolled over,
clawing ut the air savagcly, but Mat
thews held on for dear life. When the
bear stood up ON his feet the physician
cracked him over the head again, and
away went the bear with his awful
rider. Never did 4 Mazeppa run faster
than that terrified bear, nor mortal man
pray harder than the disciple of Galcn.
/ On they went, over that rough road, the
bear not knowing what he was doing,
| and the doctor scared to death. Again
| the bear came to n stop, and again he
! rolled over, but the doctor chung to him
like grim death The bear was evident
~ puzzled.
Here was n foe on his back who was
nf hn -
know what to do. lie commenced n
Slow troJ. This didn't suit the daring
doctor, so he cracked him over the head
again with his heavy whip, and bruin
pulled out again. He turned into the
woods and crashed against trees, shrubs
and logs, but the doctor was deter
mined to stick it out with bruin. Blow
ing and snorting they went through
swampy pools, over logs and brush, and
came out across another road.
! A farmer by the name of George
: Scaton and II negro named Ben Frank
! lin were just coming down the road ut
canter. The negro yelled: Lord
Er'mighty!" and turning down the road
nc flew us fast as his horses legs could
carry him, while Seaton's horse buclied
with him and threw him against q
brush pile on the side of the road.
But the bear, evidently, wasn't stop
ping to inquire into particulars. lie
was boiling through those woods for
dear life. The doctor was just begin
ming to enjoy the ride. In n moment
bluff doomed up, and bruin had such
Roadway on him he couldn't stop, SO
over they went. The doctor let go, and
fell into the river below, while the bear
landed on the other side, and with O.
yclp, thankful to be released of his
enemy, he left in n hurry. The doctor
swan out, sore and tired, and had six
miles to walk after his horse. With
sore shins and sorer head he trudgcd
the distance, secured his horse and gig
and came home. His friends now call
him 1.-THE bear tanner"
IF pansies are watered morning