The Washington times., 1902-01-05
Country Overrua With Blacks. Sill
YER Tips. and Cinnam0ns.
HAVOC AMONG THE HERDS.
Savage Rush IpOn the Hunters of n
Silver Tip Whose Noung Had
Been KiIIcd-Fiaht Betwccu n
Cow and Cinnamon.

Territory declare that the country is
overrun with silver tip. cinnamon. and
black bears, many more than have ever
been seen in that locality since the ad-
vent of the white settler
For nearly ten years there has been
very little rain in the lower portion of
the White and Mogollon ranges, and the
bears have been forced into the higher
mountains, only venturing down for an
occasional fat calf or a tender lamb.
This year. however. has brought much
moisture TO the lowland. and the bears
are 1ocking into the shelter of the val
leys. where the winter SHOWS are light
and where the young fat stock. together
with perpetual supply of pine mast and
juniper, provide welcome relief TO the
Information habit, so necessary in the bit
ter cold of the mountain crests
Paradise for Bears.
Old Joe Scott drove into Globe last
Tuesday with the skins of five silver
tips and fourteen black bears, the re-
suit of two days hunt in the eastern
part of Gila county by himself and two
sons.
Scott was one OF the --rliest settlers
in the White mountain country, and for
forty-five years has run his cattle on the
wide range OF the foothills. He can count
5,G00 animals in his herds. and he esti-
mates that not less than 1000 more are
running wild in the dense brush OF scrub
oak. which reaches far up the sides OF the
mountains and is nearly impenetrable to
all else but wild animals and the thick
skinned steers.
The heavy rains of the late spring and
carly summer have put in operation
creeks and springs which have been in
active for decade and have brought out
the cattle feed in a manner tina, has made
fatted calves and bulky yeariings. 1t has
developed the acorns. the beech nuts ana
the juniper berries and crcated paradise
fo- bears.
Two weeks ago Scou's COW punchers
brought in the news OF the slaughter OF
a half dozen calves and several half
grown steers. Bear tracks showed the
character OF the marauders. aud the old
rancher. with Abe and Harvey, his sons,
both locally famous as crack shots and
expert ropers. set out in pursuit
Bruin starts the Fight.
With pack OF hounds they were soon
en- the trail, and late in the afternoon
came upon an Immense female silver Tip.
with two cubs nearly half grown. The
three had beaten OF The dogs ard stood
at bay in narrow arroyo The three first
shots brought down the cabs. ard the
dogs soon finished thcI1. while the Old
bear. With i bullet ia hor SHOULDER. rush
ed upoi. the party.
The impetuousness Of the onslaught of
cornered ana maddened Arizona silver
lip has its equal only in the attack of the
larger grizzly Of the North. Somewhat
smalIer than the grizzly. The silver Tip is
proportionately lighter and much shiftie.
on its feet. and wounded aHi furious
female handles herself ike mountain
lien.
Harvey, the younger boy. was nearest
to her, and she bowlcj him over like
tenpin, one paw ripping out the entire
side of his coat and shirt As she turned
on Abe. the old man sent a ball into her
side and closed in with his six-shcoter.
In an instant she had Abe down. and
only his activity saved his life Ducking
his head under her Jaw. he escareG crush
ing in the massive molars. and she tore
a piece from his sleeves. Old Scott was
empt wing his reySlyer into her breast
and she rolled:s0Ter with Three holes in
her heart.
Irttty ssDpo BnS.
Later In the day fheitlogs jumped five
small black bears freeing them after but
q short chase, the quarry being fat and
awkward from high life IN the juniper
and oak scrub. Four of them fell an easy
prey 10 the hunters. and the fifth one. a
haif-g grown female, was cornercd by the
dogs, and then ropcd and tied to 4 sapiing.
Such fight, however. did she show. that II
became necessary finally 10 shoot her.
The following day large male silver
tip was killed after hard fight in which
he crushed two Of ScCtts best hounds. |
His mate took refuge in cave. 4 green |
wood IRE smoked her out. and ahe came
with a rush. falling fifty yards away. with
foar noies through her body. Nine more
black bears made UP the final bag in what
is perhaps the largest number of bearE
ever killed in so short time by three
men.
Scott sold his skins for s62C and be-
Heyes that the bear busines, under pres
ent conditions. is much more profitable
than cattle herding in bear region. He
put an extra force OF COW ,,unchers With !
his herd, and by frequent trips into the
timber, together with poisoned Carcasses |
and traps. he hopes to save his young |
beey-s and make g record catch OF bears. |
Large Cattle Attacked.
While the acorns and berries last the |
bears are not likely TO make heavy de-
predations among the cattle. except FOR an |
occasional calf or two, but with food |
gcarcc Bruin does not hesitatc-to attack |
large game, and has been known to pull |
down full grown steer. Such instances. |
however, are rare. and only occur when !
the younger animals are scarce, Tor q |!
mountain-bred steer fights with the |
strength and agility given him by almost |
constant climbing and rustling for feed |
Harder game, however. than a we'll |
grown steer is a COW with Il calf 10 pro |
tect On the Moore range. in the Tonic |
country, recently Bit Head one OF the |
horders. came upon scene OF the fiercest |
"A cinnamon bear.
The latter had attacked 2 calf and |
pulled il down. As Head came around a
small butte. the mother charged the bear. |
With long horns low she struck the |
brute fairly in the front, and The Two |
rolled over and over The calf uniiurt, |
arose and ran away, and the was on /
her feet as soon as the astonished and |
angry bear was up.
Cow Wa. Garae.
Again she charged. and lhis lime Bruin
closed his teeth IN her neck With claws
in her shoulder. be pulled her TO the
ground. but she tore loose. and, retreating
a few yards. launched herself in another
attack. seemingly harder than before
Head, 200 yards away, could plainly hear
the crash ar she struck the ma jdened |