The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-08

Brought from Alaska with Tale OF ssIsusb
ter and superstition.

SCRANTON, Jan. While in Alaska last su m
mer DR.. l. F. Everhart. the amateur ornitholo-
Rist and taxidermist OF Franklin avenue this
city heard story that set him to hustling
like n professional animal collector. The
Doctor was on the alert for rare skins and
other choice things in the bird and animal
line, and the story he heard interested him SO
much that no went to Investigating i'm MI diate-
ly. This was what he heard from the natives:
Last February five members OF the Eagle
tribe OF Eskimo Indians wounded deer near
the mouth Of n narrow canon that extended
into the side Of high mountain. The deer
ran up tho canon. and the FIVE native hunters
followed 1t In single file. Three OF the hunters
had spears. and the other two carried almost
worthless old Danish muskets. Tho wounded
deer Mold out until 1t reached tho perpendicu-
lar head Of the canon in the face OF the noun
tain, where the Eskimos overlook and killed
II with their spears.
No sooner had the hunters loaded up their
game and started back than thoy saw huge
grizzly bear striding up the canon through the
snow. The great bear was smiling at the
bloody trail OF the deer. and the scent Of the
game made him so fierce and bold that no
didn't check his speed particle when the
frightened natives yelled at him. On the bear
came, frothing and growing The canon was
so narrow that the hunters couldn't pass the
ferocious grizzly they were unable to make
him turn back, aud to fee from him was i'm
possible. The Eskmos were completely
hemm ed in. and when the grizzly undertook
to get possession OF the deer they fought him
of with their rude weapons.
One OF the hunters fired musket ball at the
bear. but that only stung him to madness, for
the bullet didn't penetrate his thick hide. and
he sprang at the men and dsem DO welled two
~ h.., atrn o ls
The other three made grea. efforts to stab the
grizzly with their spears. and in tho brave
fight for life all but one ,ell dead under the
that escaped injury finally laid the unurderons
brute low by piercing his heart with the point
The tribe became wild with anguish when
the single survivor OF the tragedy in the canon
carried the sad nows to them. After they had
take care OF tho dead bodies OF their COM
panions, they Skinned tho gigantic grizzly and
preserved the hide as a precious relic. out OF
hnnd erected crude monument on the spot
where the four Eekimos had me: death while
u form that the spirits Of their dead comrades
when they returned from the happy hunting
grounds Tor season. might rest there In peace
earth.
This was the story Dr. Everhart heard. and |
every detail he got an interpreter and set on, |
SKIN was SIS ThS chief Of the f tribe Ss and ali of
hts underlinCs spurned the ofYer telling the |
OF money could buy the Grizsly's hide. Tor the
reason that. in the first place, ii was too |
precious = souvenir to part With and in the
the colossal skin In order that the spirits OF
their dead comrades might find warmth and
from the happy hunting grounds on occasion.
i was an easy resting Ilnce for The spirits
they said and the long ana short OF II was that
no man in Alaska had money enough to buy
The skin.
,hie.i wouldn't listen. and 1t looked as though
The hide couldn't he got at any price. Finally, |
Pr Eyerhart recalled t5s fact that he had heard
n great awe and reverence, and SO he re-
luested the interpreter t. tel the chief that
he man who desired to purchase the great
bear skin WINS phys that lie could cure
MI human ills; that he had come direct from
he great White Father down in Washington.
md TINT nc would SO arrange ana protect the
.rizzlys skin ut his home in Pennsylvania
hat the spirits OF tho deal Eskimos might
Jared to The Doctor also raised the bid To 500.
As soon as tho interpreter had conveyed the
prolonged discussion with his principal lieu
enAnts and in the deha'e the ayarice OF the
thief told the interpreter to inform the great
md good medicine man from the high and
nIgntY Mhi ,s Father Es. n Washington that he
art could hardly get out the money soon
nough 20 suit himself, he was 80 afraid that
hey didn't, and he thus secured the finest
tide that has ever been brought 10 Scranton.
The grizZly's skin has been lined with
leavy felt, and Ia now used as a rug on the
loor Of DIR. Everhart's Office. where the en-
husia site amateur has also a fine collection Of
tutred animals and hIrds for the free inspec-
ion OF the public ut all times. The great
ears hide measures nearly eight feet from
nd perfect. the nose and head are lifelike
nd the longest fur measures seven inches.
he lucky collector values the skin at more
han s?on, and you couldn't buy it OF him for
vice that sum.