A Close Call in the River Bottoms

Jim Kinnaman and William Fish, while hunting in the bottoms on the south side of the river Tuesday evening, came upon a bear which their dog had brought to bay. Kinnaman, who was nearest to his bearship, fired at him, shooting him through the nose and knocking him down, when the dog jumped in and began to worry him. This was more than the dignity of any well-bred bear would stand, so arousing himself, he shook the dog off and started after him. The dog, of course, ran to Jim for protection, and Jim, in trying to get out of the way, caught his foot in the vines and fell, while the dog went on. This was 'lucky' for the bear, and when he arrived at the spot where Jim was lying, he concluded that he had rather eat a man than a dog any day, and proceeded to dine in bear style. Jim had fallen close to a log, and to protect his neck and face, poked them under the log and began to yell, but his voice was shut off by the log and it was quite a while before Fish heard him and came to his rescue. Arriving upon the scene, he saw the bear, and could hear Jim's muffled cries, but couldn't see him, and dared not shoot until he could get him located. Upon coming a little nearer, and finding that Jim was the 'underbear' in the scrimmage, he fired at the bear and drove him off. Upon examination it was found that Jim had been bitten in both feet, several places in both legs, both hands and arms, and his back and posteriors were lacerated by bruin's claws. Help was summoned, and Jim, unable to help himself much, was assisted to his home. He is suffering a good deal from his numerous wounds, but it is not thought that any very serious results will follow. The bear was finally hunted up and killed, but he died hard, twenty-four bullet wounds being counted in the body.