The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-29
CALLIE M'aEE's PLUCK.
When She Could Not Escape She
Turned Upon Bruin.

Turned Upon Bruin.
Miss Callie MCGEE Of this place, says an
America tKy.l correspondent of the Cincin-
natl Enquirer, had an experience a few
days ago that she viii not forget and in
which she showed rare courage and pres
ence Of mind in the face of the greatest
danger.
America is a small hamlet situated in
Lee county, in the wiids Of Eastern Ken
lucky, and consists OF two dwelling houses,
a country store and postofice.
For the last month Miss Callis 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 Wal
low mountain-so called by the early set
tiers on account of the great number of
bears that formerly made il a resting place
in their migratiOns from the 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 Mise Callie started
for her home for the purpose of passing the
Sabbath with her mother. She was accom-
panied by her little niece, who is only
years old.
The road between Bear creek valley and
America 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 farther side from thia
place the child trampied upon a sharp
thorn, aud, ohild-like, she screamed in her
agony. While Miss Callie was trying to
pacify her she was suddenly startled by
rustllng Of the bushes at one side of the
road, and upon looking around discovered
large black bear stepping slowly and eau
tiously into the road about forty yards in
her rear.
For moment Mrs. McGee stood gazing
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 a terrified glance backward over
her shoulder she was appalled, TO see the bear
break into a numbering gallop and start in
pursuit. The child, frightened at the I'M
usual actions OF her aunt, was screaming at
the top of her voice, and the bear apparently
redoubled his efforts to catch them. Pant
ing and gasping for breath she at length
reached the top of the mountain almost
exhausted, and upon looking backward she
discovered the bear still in pursuit and
rapidly decreasing the distance between
them, icing now scarcely twenty yards be-
hind her.
Occasionally the bear gave an angry
snort, as if enraged at being baked of his
intended prey. His heavy, labored breath
ing was now distinctly audible to her ear
aud she realized that her strength was fail
ing, and that it was impossible for her TO
continue her present pace much longer.
Clasping the child still more closely to her
bosom she made one more desperate effort
to outfoot 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. After
running q hundred yards or more Miss Nc.
Gee ventured to look back once more, and
her relief may be imagined When she saw
the bear biting and tearing at the hat lying
on the road.
instantly recovered presence of mind, and
cody began to calculate on her chances for
escape and her best method of procedure.
She knew that the nearest house 10 which
she could seek safety was still nearly 2b
miles distant, and the chances of meeting
any one able to assist her on that
lonely mountain road vera very few. She
knew that she could not keep up her present
rate OF speed much longer, so she moder-
ated her gait, although she still made good
| time.
She had gained perhaps 200 yards on the
bear when, upon looking around, she dis
| covered him again starting in pursuit, hav-
ing succeeded in demolishlng the hat. She
| now rapidly proceeded to divest the child Of
| Its sacque md threw it down in the road,
upon reaching the spot in the road where
tie garment was lying the bear again
stopped and proceeded to destroy it before
| continuing his pursuit. Miss MCGEE made
! good use Of the time lost by the bear, aud
when he again started in pursuit she was
! good distance ahead. As ne again neared
| her she thraw the child's dress down into
/ Ia nd in ha okfa ..ft 10
bear was attracted and few precious mo-
ments gained.
| She continued this method, coollY wait
| ing each time until the bear had nearly
ove-taken her, then dropping some article
Of wearing apparel into the road, until the
| child was entirely Invested of clothing
then she began upon herself. She was al
| ready within less than a mile of a dwelling
and began TO feel Dntident of her ability 10
delay the animal until she reached it. Her
| gloves we're first sacrificed and gained a
few moments respite from pursuit. Her
hat went next, then basque and last of all
her dress skirt. The latter succeeded in
holding the attention of the bear until she
reached the house of john Miller, and was
once again in safety, although almost desti-
tute of clothing. 1e'
The bear, attracted by the squealing of
some pigs In pen near the road, made no
| effort to effect An entrance into tie house,
hut left the road aud went to the pen for
the purpose of procuring a pork dinner
Mr.. Miller was not at home and the bears
chances for securing a young porker seemed
TO be good, when Miss Maggie took down a
Winchester that was above the door, and,
despite the entreaties of Mrs. Miller, the
plucky teacher proceeded to the pen. AS
the bear saw her approaching he reared
upon his hind legs and stood ready for fight.
Miss Callie quickly brought her gun into
position and fired, the ball passing through
the animals heart, and he fell dead. he
proved TO be a ''whopper" and tipped the
beam at 2S755 pounds.
Miss NcGee is naturally somewhat proud
OF her achievement, and we all here in the
mountains are proud of her and are talking
of presenting her with rife as slight
Toxic Of our appreciation of the GOODNESS aud
courage she displayed under circumstances
which we're sufficient to shake the nerves of
the boldest Of men.