The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-03-03

In the course of few days the in
valid recovered somewhat and told his
story. Soon after the departure Of the
vessel Which had brought him and his
comrades to the island the bears dis
covered their presence and swarmed
about the hut in such numbers that
the lives of the inmates were in con-
slant peril. Now and again fire was
kept up, but the beast seemed to in
crease rather than diminish in number.
Excepting quick journeys TO the water
course near by they were kept close
prisoners for seven or eight days. The
uncertainty and confinement Mt length
became unbearab,e. Four of the pros
pectors decided, come what might, to
start up the valleys, leaving one OF
their numbers to guard the provisions
IN the cabin. They set out at dawn one
morning and returned in the evening
with many quarts specimens incrusted
with visible gold. Elated with success,
they started out again the next day,
but never came back. That was the
last ever seen or heard of them.
For two and half months the soli-
tary prospector was, in the main, i'm
prisoned In his hut by his four-footed
foes, and the terrible experience, to-
gether with the mystery surrounding
the fate of his comrades, told on his
mind to SUCH an extent that when
found and rescued his reason had al
most deserted him.
But there is still later intelligence
OF another fatal trip. About the mid
die of February this year small
schooner sailed from San Francisco,
carrying, besides her crew, band of
eight men. They had with them the
necessary provisions for several
months, plentiful supply of arms and
ammunition, and all the needful para.
phernalia for gold hunting and more,
the necessary timber for the erection
of strong hut. Thus equipped, they
looked forward with impatience until,
at length, one bright morning they
sighted the island, and later went
ashore. The vessel, having deposited
her living and other freight, SET sail
and departed, the Captain promising
to call upon thom on his return
No time was lost. The men ut once
went about their respective duties,
and before SHUTDOWN n strong cabin
stood in the shelter of n massive,
rugged rock. Casks were then flied
to overlooking and n large fire erected
hard by the door of TIE hut. By
nightfall all was in readiness. and the
hunters, sitting down TO the evening
meal, awaited the coming of the
enemy.
They were greeted sooner than they
anticipate !. For very soon the hill
side aud the lower slope appeared to
be alive with numbers Of strange,
ghostly things. At present the flame
OF the fire was holding them at bay;
but it could not do so much longer.
owing to tho scarcity of fuel. The
hunters, realizing this unfortunate
circumstance, took up their rides and
banged at every object in the shape of
polar bear. But it could not last.
The fire went out, aud the enemy,
quick to note this fact, shuiliad down
the hillside and forced the prospectors
to retreat to the shelter OF the cabin.
Throughout the night the suspense
to the inmates was horrible. The
monsters were smiling and scratching
on all sides Of the structure. At other
times n crash on the roof, threatening
to stave it III, would tell them OF the
arrival of additional forces, and at
other periods the grooming of the walls
suggested that with little more rough
handling they would toDple down.
Thus, excepting TO sally ont and fire
shots In the broad daylight, they were
Kept imPrisoue for i've or six DAVIS
At length they awo&e one morning
to find the enemy gone Leaving one
man mt the hut to act in the capacity
OF cook, the whole band set out no the
small valleys to explore On rounding
a bend In the rivers course, all intent
in their quest of tho yellow" they
were suddenly attacked by a number
OF the ferocious bears. They seemed
to spring M from the bowels OF the
earth on ali sides, and, before they
could be either killed or dispersed.
bore two o. the prospectors to the turf
in death.
Returning ocamp with their lifeless
burdens, the hunters were further dis.
mayed. The cook was missing, and a
bear shuffled about the interior OF the
hut 1t is needless 10 state that they
filed his carcass full OF holes. 4
search was Mt once made, but with no
happy result. Nothing was ever seen
of their comradc again.
After this, as the days rolled By in
peace, the men gradually their
vigilance and set about prospecting in
q more businesslike way. One morn
ing they went ont in two parties. Two
OF tho baud started IN one direction
aud the remaining three In another
They hoped thus TO economic time.
their object bcinz TO fad some suita.
bic spot wAcro later all might work
together Vain hope. They we're
never TO meet again. Toward sun.
down the lHrycg company returned TO
camp, tired, but happy I'm the knowl.
edge IN having found an oliuyillpafcb.
But as tho hours wore on and their
comrades came not they became
anxious and went iu quest OF them.
Daylight tine next morning found them
still out searching the valleys; NIGHT
cGmo on tho sctuo aud still they
hunted But nothing OF the MISSING
men was ever found.
Tho is,pud seemed full OF mvrtcrv