Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-09-26
r.a Her Clothing TO tho Hear.


IN experience few days ago that she
will not forget, and In which she show
cd rare courage and presence OF mind
in the face OF danger. America is a
the wilds OF western kentucky and con-
sists OF two dwelling houses, O country
store and q post Office For the past
month Miss Callie has been teaching
schoo! 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 10 pass over
Bear Wallow mountain-sO called by
the old settlers on account OF the great
number OF bears that formerly made IL
q resting place IL their migrations from
the Chimney mo !atains Ia the Cumber-
land. For several years past, however,
no bears have been seen, and the in
habitants have long ceased 10 appre-
bend any danger from these animals.
Last Saturday Miss Callie started Tor
her home for the purpose o! passing
the Sabbath with her mother. She
was accompanied by her little niece,
who is on.y three wears old. The road
between Bear creek valley and Ameri-
ca is lonely, even for mountain road,
and from the base OF the mountain on
one side TO the foot on the other, a dis
lance OF three miles, there are no signs
OF human habitation. While slowly
climbing the mountain on the further
side from this place. the child trampled
upon a sharp thorn, and screamed N
agony.
While Miss Callie was trying TO paci-
" her she wac suddenly startled by q
rustling OF the bushes NJ one side OF the
road. and upon looking around discoy-
cred large black bear stepping slowly
and cautiously inio the road about forty
yards in her rear.
For moment Miss MCGEE stood gaz-
inr 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 shoulder, she
was appalled, to see the bear break into
Il numbering gallop and start in pursuit.
The child. frightened at the unusual
actions OF her aunt. was screaming at
the top OF its voice. and the bear appar-
e:;lv redoubled his efforts TO catch
them. Painting and gasping 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 twenty yards behind them
Occasionally the bear gave an angry
snort. as II epraged al being baked In
lis Intended prey. His heavy, labored
breathing was now distinctly audible to
her ear, and she realized that her
strength was failing and that 1t was im-
possible for her 10 continue her present
oace much longer. Clasping the child
still more closely to her bosom. she
made one more desperate effort to out
loot her parsuer. While continuing
her al hit the childs hat, with its gay
RIBBONS and flowers, became accidental
ly disarranged and fell to the ground.
After running one hundred yards or
more Miss MaGee ventured to look
back once more, and her relief may be
limmagined when she saw the bear Bit
ing and tearing at the hat on the
road.
Miss MCGEE says that at sight OF this
she instantly recovered presence OF
mind, and coOlly commenced TO Calcu-
late on her chances for escape and her
best method OF procedure. She knew
that the nearest house in which she
could seek safety was nearly two and q
half miles distant. and the chances OF
meeting anyone on that lonely noun
tain road able to assist her were very
few. She knew that she could not keep
ND her present rate OF speed much long
cr. 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 discovered him again starting in
pursuit, having succeeded in demolish-
ing the hat. She now rapidly proceed
ed to divest the child OF its saque and
threw it down in the road. Upon reach
ing the spot in the road where the gar
ment was lying the bear again stopped
and proceeded 70 destroy II before con-
tinuing his pursuit. Miss MCGEE made
good use OF the time lost by the bear,
and when he again strarted in pursuit
she was good distance ahead. AS he
again neared her she threw the chllde
dress down into the road, and again the
attention OF the bear was attracted and
q few precious moments gained. She
continued this method. Coolly waiting
each time until the bsar had nearly
overtaken her. tiIen dropping some ar
ticle OF wearing apparr. into tho road
until the child was entiroly Invested OF
clothing, then she began upon herself.
She was already within less than mile
OF a dwelling. and began to feel conf
dent OF her ability to delay the animal
until she reached il
Her gloves were first sacrificed and
she gained few moments from pursuit.
Her hat went next. then basque and last
OF all her dress skirt. The latter sue
ceeded in holding the attention OF the
bear until she reached the house OF Mr..
John Miller, and was once more in safe
tv, although almost destitute OF cloth
ing. :,
The bear. attracted by the squealing
of some MICS in a pen near the road,