FIGHT WITH A BEAR

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1141, 7 September 1882, Page 4

FIGHT WITH A BEAR

E. R. Derby, the landlord of the Prospect House, Saranac Lake, was the hero of a very exciting exploit recently. While driving from the Prospect House to Bloomingdale, in passing through the woods he heard cries for help proceeding from a ravinea few rods distant from the road. Springing from his carriage and running hastly to the edge of the ravine, Mr Derby saw an infuriated bearraging round the trunk of a small maple, eagerly trying to dislodge Gardner Maloney, a Sarauac guide, who had taken refuge in the branches of the tree. With genuine heroism, Mr Derby drew his revolver, a Smith and Wesson sevenshooter, forty-four calibre, and rushed to the rescue. Skilled in woodcraft, he was enabled to creep unobserved by thebear to within a short range, when he opened fire upon the brute. The first fire took effect in the shoulder, and was quickly followed by a second that lodged in the bear’s head. The only effect of these was to distract the attention and increase the fury of the bear, who abandoned the seige of Maloney and directed his attention to Mr Derby. He charged furiously upon that gentleman, who cooly fired two more shots with wonderful precision at the head of the approaching brute, and turning, beat a hasty retreat in the direction of the road. The speed told rapidly upon Mr Derby, who turns the scales at 230 pounds, but he made a tremendous effect to reach his team, a pair of spirited horses, thinking if he could once gain his seat in the carriage, the team would afford safety. Unfortunately, the horses, excited by the firing were on the alert, and, catching sight of the bear ran furiously down the road, leaving Mr Derby to settle with the bear. Not a moment was to be lost. Mr Derby discovered a tree near by. Springing into its lower branches, he reached a point of safety half dead from exhaustion. The bear bleeding profusely from many wounds, was undaunted and aggressive, and leave his emerny long to arrange a new oompaign, but began the ascent ofthe tree, Mr Derby drew a sheath knife, and with that in his teeth prepared for a desperate encounter. Discharging the three remaining shots of his revolver at the head of the bean he seized the knife, and, holding by a limb with his left hand, struck desperately at the forefoot of the climber, nearly severing one claw and cutting enormous gashes in the animal’s shoulders and head, While struggling for his life the by limb which Mr Derby was holding broke, and he was precipitatea to the ground ten feet, sustaining severe bruises and a badly sprained shoulder. In his eagerness to reach his foe, the bear tumbled from the tree also, and at once rushed at Mr Derby, who had recovered his feet, and, unable to retreat, was awaiting the attack, his sheath knife in hand. The bear arose on his haunches, and by a dexterous thrust Mr Derby’s knife was driven right through his heart, and the animal succumbed. Mr Derby suffered severe scratches and loss of considerable blood. His clothing was literally converted into strings by the claws of the bear. Exhausted and suffering from loss of blood, Mr Derby was assisted by Mr Maloney, who had witnessed the last of the struggle, to the house of John Howe, where he remained. Maloney recovered the runaway team, and Derby drove to Bloomingdale, where his wounds were dressed by Dr. Wallace.—Troy (N.Y.) Times.