The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-18
BULL VERSUS BEAR.
An Exciting Battle Near Bradford
During the Oil Excitement.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
Among the numerous and exciting Incl
dents that occurred in the Bradford field
during the palmy days of '7S and 70, per-
haps none will be so well remembered by
the old time oil men. as battle which
was pulled off a Custer City, in the sum
mer of 1879. At that period of Bradford's
history, the population was largely COM
posed of men who had passed through the
excitement of the lower oil country, and
who were still looking for anything that
promised dangerous or unique features.
The average Bradfordian at that time was
not prudlsh neither was he fastidious.
His amusements were of a questionable
character, and anything of an ordinary
description palled on his free and untram-
meled nature. 1t was the desire of some
thing new in the way of amusement that
caused several Bradford residents to hit
upon the plan of having a bull and bear
fight. The idea was thought to be a hap
by one and arrangements were immedi-
ately made for the battle.
In a secluded spot near the village of
Custer City, a pit eleven feet deep, and
about twenty-six feet square, was dug
and surrounded with board seats, arrang-
ed in amphitheater style. The affair
was widely advertised, and when the time
for the battle arrived, the seats were all
occupied and men were perched on the
limbs of nearby trees, where a good view
of the pit could be obtained. Among the
spectators were several women and a few
boys.
The bear, large animal, weighing about
300 pounds was first to enter the arena.
Soon afterward the bull was released from
his pen and entered the pit with susp-
cious look in Bruins direction A num-
Der of men were placed around the pit
to prevent the bear from climbing out,
while Others armed with sharp goads,
we're in line to keep the animals stirred up
to a fighting pitch. The signal was given
by the master OF ceremonies, a band which
had been engaged for the occasion stop
ped grinding out melody and the battle
was on The two animals eyed each other
for a second, and then as Bruin reared on
his hind legs, growing savagey, the bull
rushed upon him and rolled him in the
dust The audience yelled its delight as
the bull fiercely drove his antagonist into
a corner Of the arena. The bear acted on
the defensive for the first two rounds and
was repeatedly gored by the enraged bull.
After being thrown in the air several
times, the bear made a desperate effort
to escape punishment, and sought to climb
out Of the pit. lie succeeding in fastening
his long claws on the top Of the pit and
quickly drew himself out of danger
When the spectators saw the bears
head appear above the top of the arena
a scene Of wild confusion ensued Men,
women and children fed precipitately in
all directions, and many were painfully
injured N getting out of Bruins path.
one man. who rashly tried to stop the
animals progress. received terrific blow
from one OF the bears paws, that placed
him hors de combat for the remainder of
the fight A woman. who was al that time
playing at the notorious Gem theater,
leaped from one Of the seats to the ground,
a distance Of thirty feet Her name did
not appear upon the theater programme
for several nights following the leap for
life
Reaching the top seat, Bruin surveyed
the distance to the ground. but would not
lump. As TIE bear was moving along the
upper seat. Marsh. the owner. ran up and
tried to capture him. lie pulled handfuls
Of hair from bruins coat, but could not
check his course. When quiet at last
prevailed. a chain and long rope were Sc
cured and the former fastened around the
bears head and the end taken to the OPP
posite SIDE
Marsh then asked The trembling spec