A Desperate Encounter in the Northport Mountains
A local rancher survives a harrowing close-quarters struggle with a wounded black bear.
Oliver C. Cox, the well-known rancher near the Little Dalles, had an exciting adventure with a bear a short time ago in the mountains near his home. He started out on a hunt with his trusty rifle and dog, and after killing some small game, he saw a large black bear coming toward him. He pulled up and fired, but the bear merely received a wound and advanced upon him with a steely glitter in its eye. Mr. Cox at this moment discovered the astounding fact that he had no more cartridges and he was compelled to grapple with the bear. At this exciting period the dog joined in the fight and they tumbled over each other for a few moments until Mr. Cox succeeded in freeing himself and took to his heels, shortly afterward followed by the dog. Both Mr. Cox and his dog received a few scratches, and no doubt considered themselves very lucky to escape so easily. The bear has not yet been heard from.
“The bear merely received a wound and advanced upon him with a steely glitter in its eye.”
Encounters with wildlife remain a part of the reality for rural residents in Washington, though modern arms and safety awareness have made such hand-to-hand combat with bears a relic of the frontier past.
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