The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-28
SHOUP AND TIE BEAR.
An Idaho Senator Tells of His Thrill
ing Experience in Colorado.

An Ioaho Senator Tells of His Thrill
ing Experience in Colorado.
From the Washington Post.
"A story OF adventure is it you wantl
TIN afraid don't know any that would in
terest you" and Senator Shoup of Idaho
smiled in modest way, just as if every one
didn't know that there is no more accom-
plished old Indian fighter than be in the
Senate.
Yes, but you do. What was the mar
rowest escape YOU ever hAdN
The senator just said ''Can l smoke? 81
went refeotively toward closet, selected a
big, fat cigar, arranged it with delibera-
ton, lit match with care, and when the
end OF the weed was glowing spark smiled
as he said:
II reckon it was from a bear. You know
I'm trader, and was in the business in
Colorado before l went to Idaho. For the
convenience of patrons | arranged to re-
ceve cattle IN payment for goods instead o
money, and had established stock farm,
where had gradually gathered large
stock. 1t was In August, 1866, that l ar
ranged for the delivery at Salmon City of
about 1000 head Of cattle in this way, and
went up the river to small valley Just
above narrow canyon, to look over the cats
tie myself. They were counted as they
came through into the valley, and when
they moved on | went ahead TO look them
over again. As they came through a
gorge single file there were many cattle
that knew, as Shey belonged in the vicin.
lty, but some that expected to see were not
there, and when had finished counting
found number missing.
THE overseer couldn't believe it, but |
mentioned the marks to him and we counted
again at another canyon. The creatures
were not there, and he finally admitted IL
but for the life of him couldn't see where
they could have made their disappearance
Neither did |, but after we had gone about
mile decided they must have got into a
narrow gorge that was 50 choked with fall
ing rocks that after half mile it was i'm
passable, and l had to leave my horse and
scramble over the shale for another three
quarters of a mile before l struck an open
space and discovered tracks, and a little far
Their on found muddy tracks at the edge of
a creek. Thinking to bring the cattle out
| of the brush, | stepped out into the open and
gave several shouts such as cattlemen use
for that purpose. I heard the scrambling
OF hoofs and expected to see the lost cattle
the next instant. Instead, the only Great
ure that put in an appearance was an i'm
mense bear that, when it saw me, reared
and sawed the air, while she came for me at
lively rate
Not tree was within reach, and the
| bear was too near TO think of making much
OF race. There was clump of black al
ders that looked the safest of anything, and
although it was three~quarters in, her d.
| rectlon, l made the run with the bear close
at my heels. l made one bound, clutched
| the alders well up, and swung up, only to
! lind they bent, till, instead of being any
| protection, they held me pretty near to that
roaring bear, and to my horror | found she
could make meal off of one of my feet
without an effort. L gave another reach
| and one spur caught in a branch, while my
hat fell down on the BEARS nose. She
| seemed to think that was all she wanted for
a moment, and gave a splendid exhibition
| with the hat of what might expect myself
| when she had finished.
Meantime l had managed to gather an.
| other and stronger alder, and swung my.
self up until my feet were just out Of her
| clutch, and eight feet from the ground
| But If she shook the tree | knew it was al
up with my hanging on, and in a flash de-
termined TO throw myself In that case flat
on the ground, face down, and trust 60 luch
that she would take me for a corpse anC
| leave me alone. Meantime two cubs pokec
| themselves under her nose, and wanted tC
assist her with the hat She cuffed them OF
both sides, but they were just full of fun
and finally she left the foot Of the clump
and went off for 100 yards, towing them
maue my position q llLble easier dnC
waited developments. My pistols were OF
my saddle, with the horse, half a mile be-
low. There l was, fully two miles from any
person and no weapon. About the time
had made up my mind there was little
chance for me the bear was under my fee
again clawing the air and growing like {
bass drum. wore big gauntlets, and fol
greater convenience l pulled off one anc
threw it square at the bears muzzle. The
gauntlet was as good as the hat, and while
waited my turn, when, after all my loose
articles of apparel had furnished her with
amusement and she should settle down tc
| solid work, the cubs pushed under her most
again. They would insist on staying there
until all the fun was over, and finally of
she trotted again with them. When sac
| had not returned in reasonable time
waited no longer, but made tracks for tbs
horse, keeping conveniently near some tree
that might afford better protection than the
alders had in case the bear appeared again
\ but reached my horse and men in safety
But 1t was mighty lucky day for me.n