St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-06-01
WITH A BEAR.
Three Maine Hfen in a Stand-Up
Fight With a Wounded Brute.

| EI2nS w IlIi Il w Brute.
a Bangor correspondent of the Lew
iSton Journal, n. Y. received letter
| from Percy Johnston, who is at present
engaged in making repairs at North
| Twin dam, having a large crew under
his command. The letter gave an &C,
| count of an adventure with bear few
days previous:
Jack Hathaway and [ had left camp
| at North Twin early in the morning,
and taking one of the bateauX padded
| over to the head of the big elbow. We
had with us our axes, and intended cut
ting some spiling poles to strengthen
| one OF the posts OF the dam.
I'VE had been at work about half an
hour when Charles Powers, guide we'll
known in these parts, came down the
lake. After talking with us few mo-
mentS he started off into the woods to
look after bear trap he had set.
1T was not long before we heard a
great uproar, and, dropping our work,
set out in the direction from which the
sound came. l noticed that Charles
was armed with only navy revolver
and i Ratchet, and, fearing that he
might be in danger. hurried as fast as
possible. The underbrush was pretty
thick. and our heavy boots made walk
ing-oYer the snow hard. We could see
only dozen yards ahead of us, but an
occasional gr0wl and yell enabled us to
keep in the right course.
''CharleS, after reaching the place
where he had set the trap, found that a
bear had been there. The trap was
gone, but the trail left MADE it easy for
him to follow the animal. Upon over
taking him he had discharged his re-
hIIt q If haI
that of engaging the animal, which at
once turned upon him. When Jack
and l arrived upon the scene the
bear was having rather the best
OF it. Charles was standing
near low fir. beating off the attacks Of
the brute with his Ratchet. 1t had been
his intention to climb into the tree, but
this was impossible owing to the near
ness of the bear. The animal seemed
covered with blood, and presented a
startling picture as he stood there, clang-
ing the trap from right to left, and swing
ing his forepaws i'll his attempt to hurl
his aSSailant to one side.
Creeping up behind the bear struck
at him with my axe. but broke the axe
handle against the limb OF tree over
head. Just about this time the bear
cleared himself from the trap, and turn
ing. rose on his hind feet and made a
lunge at me. shall not soon forget
how he looked. Blood was dripping
from his jaws, and his eyes stood out
like burning Goals. The growls uttered
sounded like oath knell, for | was I'M
armed and had no means with which to
defend myself. | tried to dodge, but
was not quick enough. One of his paws
struck me on the shoulder, knocking me
down and tearing the flesh OH my left
side quite badly. My shirt was minus
one sleeve. and below the arm was torn
in shreds.
What would have happened to me.
had not Jack come to the rescue, do
not know. That person picked up a
club and struck the bear a heavy blow
on the head, whereat he turned on his
new aSSailant.
Jack had no time TO retreat, and the
bear, striking him, laid him out with
fractured skull. Charles had seen the
danger of his friend, but too late to
save him. He succeeded in burying his
Ratchet i'll the neck of the animal, kill
ing him.
Although | have killed many bears,
this was the hardest tussle l ever had