The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-22
He Climbed Into the Bear Pit and
Later Took n Hasty Ride to
Doctors House.
FLESH STRIPPED FROM ARM
ANOTHER MAN HAD TO BE ADMON-
ISHED TO KEEP OUT.
A Little Child Had n Narrow Escape
Through n Mothers Negligence
Waterman Kept Busy.

This is not the story of the three bears.
There is no Little Golden Hair, no dish of
porridge and no wee little bed. 1t is the
two bears. Mr.. Buchmeyer visited River
side Park yesterday afternoon. All nature
seemed peaceful. The birds sang and the
monkeys sat casting friendly glances at
their zoo neighbors, the wolves and foxes.
Buchmeyer was lulled by the lilt of nature,
and his feet followed along the south line
of the golf links, ending with the bear pit.
There he found sleepy looking, placid-look-
ing, glossy and gigantic Dick and Grace,
the Oregon black bears Dick was looking
sweet nothings at his mate and Grace was
returning with amorous eyes the love of
her husband. Buchmeyer approached the
railing five feet from the pit and looked
into the kindly eyes of each. Great oceans
of sympathy for them welled up in his
heart. They looked as if they needed SYM
pathy instead of the offensive things which
small boys offered.
Buchmeyer was so affected by his reverie
that he climbed over the barrier and sought
closer relationship with the two bears.
This is where the story turns abruptly
into a rude awakening
Buchmeyer, probably from the habit of
all masculine animals, turned his attention
first 10 Dick. Dick is one of the greatest
specimens of ursus nigris in captivity. He
weighs about 500 pounds and has an in
satiate nav. Human flesh is a delicacy
which he has not enjoyed for some years,
so he readily approached Buchmeyer
He reached out a hairy paw but not TO
shake hands Before Buchmeyer had time
TO attempt a caress the bear bit his right
arm and fearfully lacerated the muscles
Buchmeyer was able TO get over the railing
and call for help. Custodian Tom Bris-
bin and other park employees came to his
aid and he was taken in a buggy to the
office OF DR.. w. ]. Gates. Thirty-hrst street
and Northwestern avenue, North Indianap-
oils. where he was treated.
STILL ANOTHER MAN
Half an hour later another man. who
probably did not know of Buchmeyer's ter
rible experience, was seen TO climb over the
railing. Custodian Brisbin shouted to him
and he crawled back before Dick or Grace
had a chance to get near him. The GUS
todian then ordered him from the park.
Employees at the park say that the bear
pit is a revelation TO the foolhardv
curiosity of spectators. Over the pit. which
is built on a hillside. there is another rail-
ing, and spectators seem to enjoy climbing
over this and hanging suspended over the
pit. A slip would carry them in with the
bears. Sunday afternoon one of the watch
men saw a child playing about the lower
railing and he became fearful that il would
be permitted 10 get inside. The mother
heedlessly permitted IL TO crawl through.
The watchman seized il and lifted il back
and admonished the woman for her negli-
gence. The woman said she regarded his
action a impudent.
Every few days, when there is a crowd
about the pit. general stampede takes
nlace These StampedeS OF the sDac.o go
are caused when Dick or Grace climb nm
the old tree trunk that is kept in the center
of the cage for their enjoyment. The ton
OF the cage is open. but the animals could
not escape. However, when the shaggy
bodies rest on a limb they must ''teeteT;'
somewhat in order 10 preserve their hal
ance This gives the appearance OF an at
tempt 10 spring and the spectators stam-
pede
DR. Gates. who attended Buchmeyer.
dressed the wound and predicted no more
serious result Buchmeyer explained that
ne was petting the bear when it suddenly
seized his arm.