The age-herald., 1900-01-20
A PENNSYLVANIA BEAR.
He Gives an Experienced Hunter Hard
 Struggle for His Life

From the Pittsburg Penn) Commercial
 Gazette.
 One of the most thrilling encounters with
 Bruin that has happened in the state this
 season occurred near Kylertown, in the AL
 leghenies, just across the Center county line in Clearfeld county. William Mason,
 known in that locality s-"Hunter Bill" be-
 cause of his prowess as a Nimrod, was out
 on the trail Thursday looking for anything
 seasonable to shoot. While piodding along
 in the vicinity of Sandy Hill, rather dense
 part of the mountains a few miles west of
 Karthaus, along the Susquehanna river, he
 was confronted by a monster bear. Accus-
 toned as he is to such surprises, this one
 rather took the breath away from the
 sturdy hunter because of the unusual size
 of Bruin. Mason alleged that he looked
 like a big three-year-old black steer with
 his legs cut down.
 In that particular locality the AIleghanies
 are of the most rugged nature, and to get
 around with safety one must be possessed
 Of a sure foot and unusually steady nerve,
 or there is great danger of being hurled
 couple of thousand feet below to the base
 of the mountain The moment that the
 bear and Mason faced each other it was evident that fight to the death was
 sure thing and it was also evident that if the hunters effort failed him on the first shot he would have the struggle of his life | on his hands.
 Mason brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired, but instead of sending the lead to a vital spot the bullet lodged in Bruins
 shoulder, somewhat disabling that member, but thoroughly arousing the bear. Hnraged with the pain, with a terrible
 growl Bruin, before the hunter had time to
 replace the empty shell with a loaded one,
 rushed upon the man. Mason dubbed his
 b1If " .la the animals tremendous rushes. Mason
 was knocked down several times, but the
 agility of the man born to the woods evaded the grip of the bear and he always suc- ceeded In regaining his feet, though his clothing torn in shreds, and his body 1 anu arms lacerated by the bears claws l. Mason's gun was knocked from his grasp | and he had only his hunting knife to rely l upon to save him from death. With a cour- age born of the desperation of the situa- | tion Hunter Bilr grabbed his knife and | cut and slashed whenever the bear got | within reach. Once again the hunter was | sent to earth by a stroke of the giants | paws, and, weak from the loss of blood I and the unequal contest, it was with diff | ficulty he regained his feet in time to avoid | being pinned.
 Just when Mason believed he would have 1 to succumb to the bears greater pro1ess | he noticed that Bruin was also weakening | from the loss of blood. Taking heart once
 more, he steadied himself in time to re- l ceive the bear in another and last rush. | Springing quickly to one side, Mason | plunged his knife to the hilt in the bears side just back of the shoulder and both | fell over in utter exhaustion. The bears
 massive frame quivered. but his strength
 ceased. .y... It was some time before Hunter BilP' could gather strength sufficient to make his way to the German settlement, severhl | miles away where he was received with I wild-eyed wonderment on the recital of h,s | tale of the wonderful combat and his l escape from death. Mason's wounds were dressed and then persons went in search Of the bear, bringing the dead carcass to the settlement When dressed it was found
 to tis) the scales at a little over GOO pounds.
 Mason received a number of ugly scratches that will mark him for life.