The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-04
a DOCTORS FREE RIDE.
It Was on the Back Of Hugo
Black Bear.
Tho Ludicrous Scene Presented by tho
Son of Esculapius In His IIeadlong
Charge on Ills Singular
StCCd.

DR.. Irvine Matthews, of Milan, Tenn,
while on professional visit recently to
patient some three miles west of this
place, had curious adventure with O
bear. lie was driving along i'll gig,
writes correspondent of the Chicago
journal, and had just crossed the south
fork Of the Obion river, and was pass
ing along heavy growth of cane, when
he heard an unearthly noiso behind
him. lie turned, glancing lcisuroly
over his shoulder, and what was his
surprise to sec II big black bear running
after the gig.
Mr.. Matthews said he had no business
with that fellow, and whipped his horse
up to faster trot. The horse at first
went along smoothly, but soon shifting
bruin, became uninanagcable. The
horse reared and pitched about, and DIR.
Matthews knew the bear would be up
with him presently, which would lcnd q
worse face to affairs, and tried every
way possible to Sooth the horse, but
finally getting ovcr-cXcitcd at 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 tho unwary physician to
complete a somersault in the uir, and
rs he came down from among the clouds
hc landed astraddlc of the bears back.
This was n surprise to br1lin, who
pitched out rs fast us he could travel
DIR. Matthews chung to his shaggy stecd
however, and having his riding spurs
on, he drove them in bruins flank
which added more than ever to the big
black bears desire to get away from
this terrible enemy. The bear fairly
flew over the rough road, his tongue
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 as he went over backwards from
his gig. and, being an adventurous sort
of fellow, he cracked brun over the
head with the butt end of the whip.
This added to the bears already OK
cited nature, and he came to sudden
stop, but the doctor was there, too.
Bruin then lay down and rolled over,
clawing at the air savagcly, but Mat
thcws 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 q NIazcppa 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 Il STOP and again he
rolled over, but the doctor chung to him
like grim death. The bear was evident
ly puzzled.
Here was foe on his back who was
out of his reach. The bear didn't
know what to do. lie commenced q
slow trot. This didn't suit the daring
DOCTOR so he cracked him over the head
again with his heavy whip, and bruin
pulled ont again. lie turned into tho
woods and crashed against trees, shrubs
and logs, but the doctor was deter
mined to stick it out with brun. 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 Il negro named Ben Frank
lin were just coming down tho road at
canter. The negro yelled: Lord
Ermighty!' and turning down the road
lie flew rs fast as his horses legs could
carry him, while Scatons horse bucllcd
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 q 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 tho river below, while the bear
landed on tho other side, and with
yelp, thankful to be released of his
enemy, he left in q hurry The doctor
swan ont, sore and tired, and had six
miles to walk after his horse. With
Sore shins and sorcr head he trudgcd
the distance, secured his horse and gig
and came homo. His friends now cali
him "thc bear taner."
Alligator Incubators.
OpitA n 1r,cipooc no., e,>,.,.x,<- ....