Year: 1879

Tas Montreal Witness in O late ia.
sue, says: 1t is we'll known among q
certain class that "Jos Beet" has beal
pit under his canteen on Common street
II extends all along under the house,
and is reigned over by big black bear
weighing over 400 pounds. There are
also a she bear and two comparatively
young cubs, which Joe reckons among
his domestic pets. Strangers frequently
visit the place and are generally escor-
ted to see the bears through trap-dool
in the floor. Yesterday afternoon, while
colored preacher was holding service
in the "singing room," three American
strangers came 10 visit the place, and
the trap door was thrown open to show
the bears. While Joe went into the
bar room his little boy, six years old,
went too near the edge and fell into the
den. The old bears were in a dark cor.
ner. but one of the cubs at once ran to
wards the child, who had uttered a
frightful scream. 49,


The cook lay down on the floor, and
reaching down caught the little fellow
and raised him up. The she bear had
heard the child's cries and with a
growl rushed towards the trap door and
seized the child just as he was being
lifted up. The little fellow was in an
instant dragged into the den, encircled
by the claws of the old she bear. Joe
hearing the noise which the fearful
sight caused came to the door and ask
ed what was the matter. Seeing his
child, as it were. in the jaws Of death,
he did not hesitate for moment to
think, but leaped from the floor into
the pit, lighting on the head Of one OF
the bears. He managed by frantic
effort to tear his child from the savage
monster and threw him behind. In
another instant he handed the little
fellow up among the almost paralyzed
spectators.


The men around seemed SO suddenly
struck with terror that they could do
nothing to help Joe, who had placed
himself in such imminent danger. The
moment the child was out Of the pit the
she bear growled fiercely and sprang
ON Jo-, who had no arms with which TO
defend himself. The savage brute
seized him by the right knee, throwing
him on his back. Her teeth were
driven fully an inch deep into his flesh.
He was then com mplet-ly at the mercy of
the animal, whose tameness had disap-
psared, it being enraged at having the
child taken away. The men looking
on still seemed powerless to help,
though one of tn, visitors had revol-
yer in his pocket. Joe, however, did
not loss his presence OF mind, but
seized brick which lay near him, and
struck the bear on the snout with all
his might. The brute let 60 her hold
and Joe quickly got on his feet.


The old he bear had not shown fight
at all Int when Joe shouted had skunk
back to the dark corner. The she
bear now stood off, showing her teeth,
bat he continued to shout and she also
went back. Joe was then rescued from
the pit, his legs being covered with
blood. The trousers which he had on
were torn to shreds and his stockings
we're saturated with blood. The child
had not been injured at all beyond a
slight scratch on the head. jos says
that the she bear was always contrary
beast, and tina: when he trained her
first he used to put her in puncheon
of water and push her head under with
a broom, and when the cub was nearly
drowned it would bite the broom. Joe
refuses all medical attendance and ap-
plies high wines to the bite, which con-
tinues to bleed to-day.