New-York tribune., 1900-07-17
BEARHUNTIN BRONX PARE.
DR.. HORNADAY AND A LABORER HURT
IN THE CHASE.
ERUIN HELPS HIMSELF TO LUNCHROOM
STOCK, TAKES A SWIM AND
DIES FIGHTING.

A bear hunt furnished excitement enough for
hot day at the Bronx Park Zoo yesterday. i
Dig black bear, just purchased, was being led
into his prison cage when he esca ped.
made a fine fight against the great odds Of a
hundred Park laborers, a score of policemen
and lot Of other men, all armed with shotgUns,
pistols. lassos and clubs; bit and scratched two
men. swan fifteen hundred yards up the river
in his attempt to eIude his hunters and finally
was strangled to death before he would give in
10 fifty men. with two Iassos around his neck
The TWO men he placed out Of the fray were
the director of the Zoo, DR.. W T. Hornaday
and William Hamilton, Park employe Their
injuries bites and scratches, not serious. were
dressed and they went home.
The bear an unusually good specimen, valued
At about $500. was taken from the railroad To
the park in d cage on truck. The truck
backed up to the big bear inclosure, where there
were ten other bears, and pIanks were placed
from the end Of the wagon TO the entrance to
the cage. A collar end heavy chain had been
placed around the bears neck and MurteI. a
keeper, held the chain while the bear forced
to walk the pIanks One of the boards slipped
and the bear fell 10 the ground, his collar slip
ping of He made dash at MurteI, who got
out of the way and blew his whistle.
The blowing of a whistle in Bronx Park is
signal Of danger and d call for immediate aid,
and the park employees at once pass the signal
and rush TO the scene Of danger. In a few
minutes employees of the Zoo and park were run
ming toward the main road Of the Zoo and the
word was quickly spread that a bear was loose.
Some men got shOtguns. some clubs and stones,
ard 4 squad Of a dozen policemen sent by Cap
tain Fitzpatrick Of the Bronx Park station
came up with revolvers.
STOP FOR LUNCHEON ON THE WAY.
The bear made down the road. shifting the air
and increasing his pace the fresh air and the
sense of being free impressed themselves upon
him. He easily outpaced his pursuers. and was
soon out of sight.
Half mile down the road Bruin came TO old
Pop" CAMS lunch cabin, II was filed with
pies. cookies and candies and the bear smelled
the provender He ran into the cabin. while the
old proprietor hastily climbed 10 the roof and
shouted for help. The bear devoured pies and
candies almost s II he knew ne had little time
before his hunters would be near, and then, the
cabin a wreck, made of once more. just as the
big crowd with lassos and other appurtenanCes
for capturing him arrived
The Bronx was within a few feet and the bear
took 10 the water. In a few strokes he showed
his swimming qualities and he turned up the
river padding easily. but pushing himself along
at remarkably rapid rate some OF the men
got into CAMS boats. which lay ashore and
rowed after him. but with two men and four
oars they could not come anywhere near Bruin
who seemed 10 swim even lazlly- The rest OF the
crowd ran along the river bank waiting for a
chance TO throw their lassos. DR.. HorEaday
had effectually put stop TO the use OF firearms