Year: 1871

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For the past six weeks the neigh


borhood of Otter's Hole, on the south.


ern confines of Delaware county,


New York, has been pestered with


bears. Not unfrequently these animals


have made their appearance among


the people, A few have been shot by


the hunters On Thursday one of


these gruff customers visited the farm


of Jacob Bcardsley, q sort of farmer,


hunter and woodsman, who has for


nearly twenty years occupied a small


clearing in Otter's Hole.


The sun was behind the mountains,


but it was not yet dark. Mr.. Boards


ley was in the woods, nearly two


miles distant. Mrs. Beardsley and


her daughter, a girl of sixteen, were
in the house. The pigs in the pen


behind the dwelling were sqhealing
loudly for their evening meal. The
daughter of the farmer was preparing
the food, and was in the act of pick
ing up the swill pail to go to the pen,
when the dog set up loud barking
behind the house. At the same time
the whine Of the pigs was changed
from the monotonous call for food to q
fierce cry of terror.


Mrs. Beardsley told her daughter
that the dog was worrying the pig, and
at once went to the back door to call
the dog away. She was surprised to see
bear1attempting to get ct of the pig
pen. He had shoat weighing per-
haps eighty pounds under his arm.
The dogs was trying to prevent Bruins
departure, while the unfortunate pig
was squealing with all his might and
endeavoring to wriggle from the un-
comfortable hug Of the bear, Mrs.
Beardsley and her daughter took in
the situation at glance. As there were
no men about the place to call on for
help, Mrs. Beardsley grabbed q small
iron bar, such as is used in loading
fag-stones, and went for the bear.


The daughter followed her with an
axe. They ran out to the pig pen and


began an indiscriminate attack on the


bear. This attack greatly encourag-
ed the dog who thwith sprang into
the pen and grappled with Bruin.
The bear finding himself pressed, re-
leased his hold on the pig and closed
in with the dog. Unfortunately for
Towser, he was, in an ungarded mo-
ment, caught in the embrace of the
bear. He let out series of howls
that moved the hearts of the two wo~
men.


The girl, axe in hand, sprang light
ly into the pig pen, with well-directi
ed blow caused the brute to loosen his
hold on the dog. But matters were
fast growing worse. No sooner was
the dangerous animal forced to drop
the dog than he turned fiercely on the
brave girl The fight became des.
perate. The axe was swung vigorous.
ly, but his bearship easily warded off
the blows with. his fore paws and fast
pressed the girl into corner, where
she could no longer defend herself
the dog renewed his attack
in the rear Of the bear, but without
effect. The monster succeeded in get
ting the girl in his fearful embrace.
The mother was standing outside Of
the pen. Seeing the desperate situa.
ton of her daughter, she jumped into
the stye, and with the iron bar dealt
terrible blows on the head and neck
Of the savage beast. These blows,
.ogether with the fierce onset made by
he dog, caused the bear to forego his
nurderous intentions toward the girl.
She escaped from his clutches with her
Iress almost torn from her person
md bleeding from wounds inflicted in
he struggle. Again she took the axe
md with true courage kept up the fight


The bear now became alarmed.
With a single bound he went over the
,dge of the pig pen, the dog hanging
O his hind quarters. When but a
ew feet from the pen, the bear turned
N his tormentors, and would without
!oubt have vanquished kis foes, had it
lot been for the timely arrival of two
nen, who, while passing the form
ouse had heard the noise of the fight.
they were on their way home from q
rood lot, where they had been work.
ng during the day. One OF them had


rifle on his shoulder, and, without
eremony, he put al end to the strug-
lie by shooting the bear. The women
we're then looked after. The young
irl was so severly hurt that she was
Unable to get out of the pen. She was
arried to the house, and one OF the
aen went to the nearest neighbors for
assistance. Both mother and daughter
we're found to be suffering intensely
rom excitement. Proper restora-
ives were administered, and they