The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-26
PLUCK 0E CALL|E MGEE
The Presence Of Mind and General
ship Of . Blue Grass
Belle.
She Carried a Child Three Miles
and Outwitted a Black
Bear.
Then She Took Down a Winchester and
Laid Mr.. Bruin Iowa Try
ing Adventure.

Miss Callis MCGEE of this place, says an
natl Enquirer, had an experience a 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 a small hamlet situated in Lee
county, and in the wilds of eastern Ken
lucky, and consists of two dwelling-houses,
a country-store and a postoffiee.
For the last month Miss Callie has been
teaching school in the Bear Creek dis
trict, 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 num-
Der of bears that formerly made it a resting
place in their migrations from tho 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 ami
mails. Last Saturday Miss Callie started
for her home for the purpose of passing the
Sabbath with her mother. She was accom-
panied by her little neice, who ID only three
years old.
The road between Bear Creek valley and
America Is lonely ever for a mountain
road, and from the base of the mountain on
the one side to the foot on the other-a dis.
tance of three miles-there are no signs OF
human habitation. While slowly climbing
the mountain on the farther side from this
place the child trampled upon a SHARP
thorn, and child like she screamed in hel
While Mi,a T,Ilia ,,an 4-.,.. !.
pacify her she was suddenly startled by g
rustling of the bushes at one side of this
road, and upon looking around discovered
t~iously into the road about forty yards in
her rear.
For a moment Miss MCGEE stood gazing
at the bear, too terrified to seek safety,
Then catching up the child in her arms she
fled rapidly up the steep mountain side.
Casting a terrified glance backward over
her shoulder she was appalled, to see the
bear break into a lumber gallop and
start in pursuit. The child, fright
ened at the unusual actions of hsl
aunt.ktwas screaming at the top of itf
voice. and the bear apparently ~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 III pursuit and rapidly decreasing the
distance between them, being now scarcely
twenty yards behind her.
Occasionally tina bear gave an angry
snort, as if enraged at being baked OF hil
intended prey. His heavy, laborsd breath
ing was now distinctly audible to her ear,
and she realized that her strength was fail
ing, and that 1t was impossible for her tc
continue her present pace much longer
Clasping the child still more closely to hel
bosom She made one more desperate effort
to out-foot her pursuer. While CONTINUING
her flight the child's hat, with its gay rib
bons and flowers, became accidentally dis
arranged and fell to the ground, Ate,