The Washington times., 1908-08-30
Roosevelt Said to Have
Planned Trip With Capt.
Bill Mcdonald.
BRUINS WILL BE FAT
BY LATE NOVEMBER
Date for Excursion Not Fixed, But
Will Be Soon After
the Election.

AUSTIN, Tex. Aug. 29-Capt Bill
Mcdonald. OF whom it has been said
he would charge he'll with a bucket Of
water, the noted frontiersman and FORM
er Texas ranger commander who visit
ed President Roosevelt al Washington
a few weeks ago, says that the Presi-
dent has promised him to come to this
State on a bear hunt late this fail
after the election is over
Captain Mcdonald spent three DAYS at
the White House as the guest of the
President about year ago. He saws
that hunting in all its phases was ais
cussed and that the Presideat expects
TO get rare enjoyment cut Of his ATrI-
can trip Captain Mcdonald was In
vited by President Roosevelt TO accom-
pany him on his big huat "A Africa
The captain thought that would be too
far from his Texas range and he de-
elined the invitation. He says that lie
felt greatly honored by being asked
10 be one Of the party and that IL he
was younger man he might have
seriously considered the matter Of ac-
cepting it,
Date Not Fixed.
The date of President Roosevelts
proposed visit to Texas has not BEEN
definitely fixed, Captain Mcdonald says.
1t viii be either late in November or
the early part of December. II is prob
able that Col. Cecil Lyon, Republican
national committeeman from Texas. and
Sloan Simpson. postmaster OF Dallas.
both personal friends Of the President,
viii be the only Texas men in ne PARTY.
with the exception of CAPTAIN McDon-
aid md the necessary guides Gnd cook
Captain Mcdonald says that the
caney bottoms of San Bernard creek
have been selected as the bear huntirS
grounds These bottoms are famous
as the habitat Of black bears. San Ber-
nard creek is situated midRa.- between
the Colorado and BRACES rivers. The
hunting territory is within about fifteen
miles of the Gulf Of Mexico and covers
an area Of many thousands Il acres
The canebralIes are almost inpenetra-
Bile and in order that bear hunting
may be carried on. the zportsmen who
visit that locality have to foILeyy narrow
paths which have been cut through the
dense growth Of wild cane.
Bears VIII Be Fat.
Captain Mcdonald has been making
inquiries as TO the hunting prospects in
San Bernard bottoms and ae is advised
that bears are unusually plentiful and
that they viii be rolling lat by early
winter A space VIII De cleared In the
very center Of the canebraKes and the
camp Of President Roosevelt and his
Tarty established thereon. Leading
from this camp. trails viii be cut
through the caEebrakes in all direc-
tons. These trails viii DC follow
ed in the hunt for bear. Some
of these bears are Of enormous
proportions and it is claimed by
old hunters that, unlike the ordi-
nary black bears. they are courageous
and viii put up a fight If corlered. 1t
is considered dangerous to,aGnt them in
these narrow paths, but most sportsmen
are willing TO brave this element of
danger in order TO get chance at the
Big game.
Many narrow escapes are recorded of /
hunters who encountered bears in these
trails. 1t is either kill the bear or be
killed yourself when such u meeting
occurs.
John W. Gates Escapes.
A case of this kind happened a few
years ago when John W. Gates. the
former Wall Street opera tor, came near
being made the victim IF ali enraged |
black bear Mr. Gates was hunting IN
the cane bottoms of San Bernard creek |
and was following one 81 the narrow |
paths. At a sharp turn IN the path, 1
he found himself within d few feet of /
a big black bear. The animal was CON- |
ing toward him. but the moment ii saw
Mr. Gates, it raised itself upon its hind /
legs and gave a threatening gTowI The /
path was so narrow that Mr. Gates 1
had little chance to turn and run. He /
quickly brought his gun in position /
and fired at the bulky animal. The bull /
let struck a vital spot and stopped the /
progress of the bear
Captain Mcdonald told President |
Roosevelt some thrilling stories of bear
hunting in the San Bernard bottoms /
and 1t was these tales that aroused the /
interest Of the President and finally +
caused him TO promise to come down /
here for a hunt before his term of Of
fee expires.