Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-25

NJ A1AN WI 90
ed by the earlier explorers
white BEAR" and many were
the narrow escapes related by
members of the Lewis and
Clark party and other from.
tiersmen who were attacked by
monsters of this species and
threatened with death in a ter
rible form. There were few
among the mountain men who
had not had disastrous expert
ences with them at one time or
another.
The grizzly bear is distin-
guished from other species of
bear by a number of marked
characteristics, such as facial
profile, shape of anterior claws,
color of hair and its lack of abil-
ity to climb trees. The color
varies greatly, but there is usu-
ally enough white hair in it's fur
to give it a grayish color. In
size the grizzly averages about
six feet in length from nose to
tail tip, although they have Of
ten been found nine feet, and
some have measured as much
as fourteen feet in length. A
grizzly usually weighs about
five hunderd pounds, but of
course the largest specimens
weigh much more. 1t is not
only a most powerful brute, but
is extremely tenacious of life.
The male has the reputation
of not being pugnacious, rarely
attacking a man without provo
cation, end even when wounded
often attempting to escape I'M
til brought to bay. The female,
when her cubs are small, is saw
age and dangerous always.
Either sex of the grizzly, when
thoroughly reused, shows ter
rible rage and strength. Hunt
ers have often noticed that
when struck by a bullet, a griz-
Fly will start instantly in the
direction from which it comes
without waiting to see its
enemy.
Grizzly Rush Hard to Stop
At close quarters no living thing can
withstand a fighting grizzly. Its at
tack is from a standing position, first
by a blow from it's forefoOt. followed
by gnashing and tearing with mouth
and claws. An old hunter gave this
cdvice: Never fire at n grizzly in a
hurry. Never be stampeded by a bears
rush. 1t will always stop, rise OF its
hind legs and prepare TO strike a side
long blow with its fore feet. At this
moment. when its head is extended and
in a position in which the bullet will
not glance, aim between the eyes and
fire and the bear will fall dead. 4
not stop a grizzly. Many a man has
been killed and horribly mangled by
one of these brutes after it has been
through the heart. The only real
ly safe shot is between the eyes or be-
hind the ear. Either kills instantly
The most notable story of an en-
between a white man and a
grizzly was that of Hugh Glass. Posi-
bly, this true tale. which was one of the
most sensational happenings of the
frontier 100 years ago, has survived in
the annals OF the fur days because of
the amazing facts involved in it that
10 H., u-ift, trnoahury opd a mans !
grim fight to live TO be revenged.
EnIists With Expedition
Glass was born in Pennsylvania. but
nothing is known of his life before he
enlisted with the second Ashley Henry
to the Rocky mountains in
1923 and was wounded in a fight with
the Aricaras on the Missouri river. He
was then called an ''old man" and was
one of the best marksmen and hunters s
in the party. Under Major Andrew |
a party set out to trap beaver
and explore the Yellowstone river, and
Glass was detailed as hunter. an ex- =,
tremely important duty. {
One morning he was in advance of 4,
the party. forcing his way through a s
thicket, when he suddenly came upon 4
a monster female grizzly bear that rose 7
and attacked him before he had time +,
10 SET Ills ITlSXeT OF even turn 10 7
fly. The bear seized him by the throat s
and lifted him from the ground. Then !
him down, the ferocious beast {
tore eff a mouthful Of his flesh and 5
numbered to her cubs, which were close ]
by. Glass now tried to escape, but the 1
bear, followed by her cubs, attacked
him again. Selling his by the shoulder ,
she c-snched his hands and arms be- &
tween her teeth. b
Left for Dead in Wilderness i
Glass was in a terrible condition and |
had given himself up for dead when a '
companion detailed also as a hunter !
appeared and shot at one of the cubs. Z
The other, a half -grown bear, drove j,
,im into the water, where he stood :
waist deep and killed his pursuer with .
shot. just then the main body of 9
rappers arrived, having heard cries 3
or help. A dozen guns cracked and E
he mother bear fell dead over the !!
,rostrate Glass. 1t was found that Il
le was still alive, but in an apparently a
condition. His whole body 0
vas mangled, he could not stand and :,
excruciating pain. No sur II
.ical aid could be given him and it was
impossible to move MIN.
Delay of the party in this hostile g.
indian country might mean disaster O.
o all. and a lengthy council was held h
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