Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-24
ESCAPED FROM THE roo.
ESCAPED FROM THE ZOO.
ChasinE Grizzly Rear in the County.
RESIDENTS IN THE NEIsHBonHoop ALARMED
BRrIS FINALLY BRoUoHr TO BAY AND
KILLED WHEN IT OFFERED RESISTANCE TO
cAPTURE-oSE OF THE PURsuLRs BITTEN.

KILLED WHEN IT OFFERED RESISTANCE TO
cAPTrRE-oNE OF THE PuRsuLRs BITTEN
As colored boy who resides near the Zoo"
was passing along the Pierces Min road about
O'Clock this morning there appeared at the brow
Of hill he was climbing grizzly bear. II had
escaped only a short time before from the Zoo.
Words cannot describe the feelings of that
colored youth, who Immediately put forth all
HE powers Of locomotion to get away from the
uncomfortable-looking animal
Although he declares that he was pursued by
the bear the keepers at the Zoo think he was too
badly frightened to know exactly what hap
pened.
Waterman Cook was on duty when the bear
escaped He had been by the bear caves and
cages after o clock and the bear WIS there at
that time. An hour later ard the cave Was with
out occupant
The escaped bear was about three wears old
Last September it was caught at hotel in the
Yellowstone Park, and the superintendent of
the park sent IL here to the Zoo. This species
oil the bear family causes the hotel men and
Others in the vicinity of the Yellowstone valley
considerable annoyance, as they appear at night
and rob the pens OF the young pigs 1t was
considered the most ferocious animal Of the
bear family at the Zoo and occupied the large
cave adjoining that in which are the polar
n
stone wall, which, while it was thought to be
sufficient to keep the animals in, would have
been built higher had the appropriation been
large enough.
Animals" said the keeper. cannot be
properly cared for unless the proper quarters
are provided" The animal was small for its
age and although cOnsideIei of a bad DISPOSE
ton the keepers did not anticipate that it would
attack ANY one unless it was cOTnered or an at
tempt WAS made to capture it. When it disap-
peared it was certainly not hungry and as it
was not given meat to eat 1t was more than
likely that 1T would continue to live on grasses
and roots rather than attempt to kill any one
with the intention of securing a square meal.
ALARM THROUGHOUT THE VICINITY.
Soon after daybreak word of the animals
escape spread through the country and caused
feeling of uneasiness. especially to those per-
sons who had to send their children to school
Farmers who heard the news started out to
see that their cattle were protected, and at
almost every house through the country whore
the news was known the doors and windows
were kept closed. for fear that the animal might
appear at the wrong time and play havoc with
the people as well as with the stock.
No APPREHENSION AT THE zoo.
No such fear, however. is entertained by
those connected with the zoo. When STAR
reporter reached Pierces Mill road be found
Supt. Blackburn had sent for a pack of hounds,
but was unable TO get them.
AFTER THE BEAR
About II O'Clock posse started in pursuit of
Bruin. Messrs. Cramer OF Rock Creek Park and
Cramer of the Zoo Park were mounted. while
Messrs. Coyle and Houghton. citizens, were
also in the party. Farmer Routt was armed
with breech-loading gun. The STAR reporter,
on bicycle, was also in the party,
DIR. Baker arrived shortly after and almost
every Zoo" employee joined in the pursuit.
They were armed with pick handles, pitchforks,
stones. while some carried pistols.
After tracking the bear q short distance in
the direction of Pierce's mill they returned
across the road into the park, where they again
found his track
BRUIN BROUGHT To BAY.
The pursuing party steadily increased until
about a score Of men armed with various weap-
ons were following the bear. shortly after IL
o clock bruin crossed the road in the rear end
OF the Zoo Park and for more than an hour he
was kept in sight.
Mr.. Louis Hess a carpenter in the grounds.
with Mr.. Hunter and another man. had him sur
rounded at one time and then for the first time
the infatuated animal showed fight. The ami
NAL attacked Hess and might have killed him
had not Hunter beaten him off with club.
The bear then made a wild dash for the
woods. He turned again on his pursuers
shortly and the latter leveled their guns and
fired.
Superintendent Blackburn got in two loads
OF shot i'll the animals side. and Farmer Roltt
put in an effective shot and brrin rolled over
dead
DIR. Baker said. regarding the cave. that it had
been pronounced safe by experts from other
gardens and that it was only after such opinions
were given that the caves were put in use.
Mr.. Hess, whose leg was bitten, returned to
the chop and dressed the wounds. No bones
were broken.
The dead body of the grizzly bear will be
sent to the Smithsonian this afternoon.
Dr. Baker. the superintendent Of the Zoo, ~
said to a STAR reporter this afternoon that the
escape Of the bear was due wholly to the insult
ficiency Of tie watch force. as their funds en-
abled them to employ only one Waterman for
night duty.