The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-08-12
Huntin8BearsinTexas


through the winding trails and take
him to the habitat of the bears. He
said that he was we'll used to river
bottoms and could get along all right
without any help except that which
would be afforded him by his dogs.
The first thing that Mr.. Smell did
when they got in the labyrinth of
trails was to get lost. He welded his
way through the maze of trails for
two days and nights and 1t was only
by mere chance that he got out alive.
Toward the close of the second day
he heard a shot near by, and going
toward the location of the sound he
came upon hunter who brought him
out Of the wilderness. His pack of
dogs had stayed with him through
all of the long hours. They were
likewise half-famished for food and
water. Mr.. Smell rested up for few
days, and then made another visit
into the bottoms after bears. He
was accompanied by a guide this
time. The dogs routed out big bear,
and 1t was cornered by the pack in
one of the narrow trails. Before Mr..
Smell could reach the spot and get a
shot at the animal 1t had killed three
OF his best dogs, and would prob
ably have finished the others IL a
bullet from the guides rife had not
put an end to its existence. Mr.. Smell
was so disgusted with his experiences
in hunting bears in these bottoms
that he broke camp and returned to
his home on the Sabine.
Rufus Carlton, of Walnut Springs,
Texas, came down here a few days
ago, and went into bottoms to hunt
bears. He was out but short time
when he came in sight of bear which
was numbering along ahead of him
In one of the trails. Mr.. Carlton got
up close to the animal and killed 1t
at the first shot. 1t weighed 400
pounds dressed.
bud" Smith, of Groveton, Texas,
had a thrilling experience with a
she-bear In the bottoms few days
ago. He was hunting deer and was
not thinking about any other kind of
animal at the moment, when he sud-
denly heard crashing sound behind
him. He turned quickly and saw a
big Bear coming directly at him. The
animal was mad all over-that fact
was plain to be seen by the snarl that
twisted her lips. Mr.. Smith showed
rare GOODNESS under the circum-
stances. He levelled his gun at the
animal and took careful aim. The
bullet struck vital spot. 1t Is sup
posed that the cubs of the maddened
animal were somewhere in the vicin-
ity, and that she was trying to protect
them. This animal weighed $40
pounds dressed. Mr.. Smith killed
five deer during his weeks hunt in
the bottoms.
Buck ague" is minor i'll as CON-
pared with the terrible feeling that
comes over the novice hunter when he
meets his first bear. A man may be
ever so hardened and experienced at
hunting deer and other wild game,
but his nerve leaves him when he
comes face to face with bruin in these
wilds. Many amusing stories are told
here Of experiences of this nature.
Thomas Jackman and Joe Burns, both
of Austin, went into the San Bernard
bottoms recently on a bear hunt.
They are both crack shots, and have
killed deer by the score. They had
never hunted bears, but they thought
1t would be an easy matter to kill one
of these animals wherever they found
1t. They were standing near together
In little clearing in the bottoms
listening and watching to see what
kind of an animal was making the
cane breaking noise a few yards off
to~the right. There suddenly loomed
up in front of them monster. black
bear. The animal did not seem to
notice the two men. 1t passed direct
ly in front of them. Trotting behind
her were three half-grown cubs. The
cubs took advantage Of the open space
to play few antics, and one of them
actually ran between the legs of Mr..
JacKman, according to the story
which he told when he returned to
camp. The two hunters stood there
with the guns in their hands and
neither one of them seemed to realize
that they were hunting bears until
the animals had passed out of sight
into the thicket on the other side of
the clearing.
Il can't explain what was the mat
ter with me" Mr.. Jackman said after
ward. Il think must have been
paralyzed for the time being. And to
think that one of them cubs had the
audacity to run right between my
legs! I feel the disgrace keenly;
admit that"
These two hunters each killed a
bear the next day.-Kansas City Star.