The Portland daily press., 1894-04-19
THE FIELD OF SPORTS.
A bears To 9th with a History.

This bears tooth is about an inch and
a half long. 1t u.s. about three-fourths
it's original size and is worn smooth and
thus dimiuishei by the friction of hav-
ing been carried in Epocket
for the past 81 years. The tooth belongs
to Mr.. Fred II. Thompson, of the firm
of Zenas Thompson & Brother. He has
carried it in. his trousers pocket since
1857. when he was a boy of ID years of
age in Beth ell, and his father shot the
biggest bear that was ever shot in
Bethel, at least since there have been
any records there in the memory of
white men as to bear shooting. A man
who lived about three miles from the
village complained that bear was de-
stroying his apple crop. Bruin inhabited
vast neigh boring swamp, during the
day, and every night would come out,
shake the apples from tree, eat them
and return to the swamp. The crop was
fast disappearing. Mr.. Thompson re-
solved to shoot that bear. They found
place where he passed through the
fence, and he and his little son Fred,
armed with rifles, lay in ambush one
dark night.
The boy saw the bear first, ambling
along and apparently as big as a calf.
They both fired, the bear yelled with
pain and disappeared in the darkness.
They rushed after him towards small
clump Of pine trees, in the midst OF
which they almost ran into Bruln, for
he was sitting in a little brook and
whining and crying in great distress.
They fired agains but the first shot had
been fatal one"
+ They got team and hauled the bear
home. 1t was an enormous creature
and had the extraordinary weight OF
50 5 pounds. There were four inches OF
solid fat on its back.
Mr.. Thompson made the excellent, or
lick. shot. He had an old mouth bore
musket, carrying a round ounce bullet.
1t struck the bear on the hind leg, broke
the bone, fattened itself into ragged
disc, an thea scaled through the body,
tearing the internal organs terribly and
lodging in the fore shoulder.
Fourteen Gallons Of Oil
were tried out of that bear. Mr.. Zenas
Thompson brought it to Portland and
endeavored to sell 1t to the BARRIERS.
But they admitted that they didn't
want any real bears grease" that they
used lard oil, favored, and preferred it.
The bears oil was taken back to Bethel
and use as lubricant for axles
Alderman Zenas Thorn pson has one OF
the BEARS paws at his home, also one Of
the teeth made into a whistle.
Mr.. Fred Thompson put his tooth into
the pocket of his boyish knickerbockers,
81 years ago, and whenever he has
changed his clothing since the tooth
has also made a change. 1t was in his
pocket when he wa soldier in the
rebellion, and when he lay sick on a
stretcher in the hospital at Washington.
1t has worn holes in his pockets and es-
CAPPED at least 100 times, yet he has al
ways known Of it and picked it up from
the street or the floor. He has lost
bushels Of jack-knives since then, but
the tooth has always stayed with him,
and doubtless always will. No money
could buy it, no argument pursuade it's
possessor that it is not mascot of
| beneficent influence, the maker of his
fortunes, the bulwafk against disaster
and disease. It's polished yellow surface
is lovingly fondled, its remarkable his
tory unctuously related. its magical
properties eloquently described. 1t found
it's owner without copper in his pocket,
and now there is sometimes silver in
both pockets. If any OF the sporting fra
ternity will call on Mr.. Thompson
the above facts will be abundantly verb
fed, and should there still be any dou BIT
his brother, Alderman Zenas Thompson,
is always ready to be sponsor for their
truth
9 At the Athletic Club.
A bowling tournament will be held at
the Athletic Club next week, beginning
Monday evening.
Some of the mem bers of the club have
already turned their attention to out
| door sports, and are practicing for field
day.
The tennis court will soop be put in
shape for playing. 1t is expected that
Il 6Qc Mdluc COlicSO CouIAhOAo Will W
| played on the club grounds in May.
The last sparring exhibition of the
season will be held in the club gymna-
| SUM, probably on the evening of May
| 5th.
Professor Lee is arranging with Mama
ger Graham of the Bosom Athletic Climb
| for decisive bout between Harry Fow-
| Ter of this city and young Mccain Of
Boston. They each weigh about 1876
| pounds, and are excellent men in their
| class. Other men are expected from Bos-
! ton to spar local boxers.
Ball Game To-day.
There will be large crowd at the
| opening game Of the base ball season on
| the Portland grounds this afternoon.
| The game will commence at $50. Grand
stand seats will be on sale at r. F. Som
ers's hat store until noon, and all who
! desire them should obtain them early.
| The Bowdoins will present Plaisted and
l %lo;u hat xuhi1a ia porf-