Whartonians knock out grizzly with fists, whip and chloroform
JANET HOBIZAL

Someone in Hondo found a copy of The El Campo News from May 2, 1901, behind an old picture.

It was re-printed in the El Campo News on Sept. 18, 1957. It is a story that I have heard many times, so I thought the readers might enjoy hearing the "first -hand" story again.

KILLED A BEAR

"Exciting Bear Hunt a Howling Success"

Last Thursday morning a brave party of hunters left El Campo for the wilds of Sandy Creek. For several weeks constant rumors of grizzly bear have been coming to town every day from that neighborhood and the carcasses of calves, hogs and horses plainly verified the stories.

On arriving at the Davis Ranch, Mr. C.W. Davis informed the hunters that a bear has been seen close by the day previous, and acting on his suggestion, the company elected officers and proceeded in a systematic way; Mack Webb of El Campo was elected Captain, and W.G. Davis of Louise, Chief. For Treasurer there was a spirited contest between A.J. Co rothers of Ganado and Theo. Peterson of El Campo, the latter winning on the seventh ballot. Judge Brown was elected official referee.

All ready! was announced by Capt. Webb and Gus Carville's bird dog was turned loose; he made a circle of the ranch house and returning, Theo. Priesmeyer's dog was muzzled and let go this dog also, after leaving the house as much as 50 yards, failed to strike the trail. It was decided by Chief Davis that we should let our pug follow, which we did, leaving him muzzled.

This was thought a better plan for all knew if he jumped the bear the fun would be over. In just four minutes after our dog (Pig) left the house and while he was yet in the yard, he struck the trail. There was now a great scramble to get in and Peter Thompson's Sheppard and Ed Hodapp's water spaniel was given a place in the run.

T. D. Fisher and T. J. Poole, who were each armed with a pair of caestus and sling shots, were assigned a position at the northwest corner of the house, while J. R. Otell of El Campo, and G. M. Sadler of Louise took the southeast corner.

Mr. Otell had a long range telescope, while Mr. Sadler had a steel stove poker.

Reports came in for the first 10 minutes after the dogs took the trail to the effect that the bear was a big one and Capt. Webb ordered our dog unmuzzled. The trail became hotter as time wore away and Postmaster Ericson was sent down to take the temperature.

On returning he came face to face with the bear which attacked him, and had it not been for the arrival of Henry Hahn, armed with a picador, no doubt our post office would now be in mourning. J. E. Norelius and C. Lindstrom, riding a tandem, saw the bear, and but for a puncture in one tire, no doubt they would have ran him down. Just when the chase was becoming most interesting, the report of a flobert gun called all hands to the north of the house.

It had been pre-arranged that it was to be a signal of distress or danger and on the report all mounted their wheels and rode north. On entering the brush a second loud report and all hurried in the direction from whence It came. It was learned Mr. Flattery had fired the gun and thereby hangs the tale.

He was pursuing the bear, ahead of the dogs, when he broke his chain and the bruin turned on him. He came at him with glittering teeth and showing his eyes. Several parties arrived simultaneously, and with bean shooters and brass knucks saved the life of our band leader.

As all the dogs had been running 15 minutes it was ordered that a new pack be put on.

R. D. Cross, Dr. Carleton, Levi Paul, L. Soderman and C. C. Hultquist gave their dogs liberty, and the run was taken up with renewed energy. W. J. Hefner, of the El Campo posse, discovered a leaning peach tree, and being an expert bear hunter he expected the old bruin to tree there. His judgment was right and in seven minutes after the new dogs were given liberty, the bear took to the peach tree. Mr. Hefner gave the usual alarm and in a few seconds the tree was surrounded. Harry Rasmussen was given orders to go up and shake him out, and taking the telescope and Sadler's poker he climbed to within two feet of the bear when the tree fell. One limb struck E. Persson on the left shoulder inflicting a dangerous wound rendering him hors de combat.

Capt. Webb saw at once that drastic measures were necessary and ordered a charge - dogs to go first. After the dogs charged, with signal valor, W. A. Kincheloe of Wharton bravely stepped forward and gave the bear a terrific upper cut with his left. H. A. Cline, also of Wharton dealt the small end of his buggy whip.

This so enraged the bruin he made a charge and in the scramble several spokes in Joe Burger's wheel were broken. George Appling, of Louise, quieted the now excited hunters by declaring he had a quart bottle of chloroform in his buggy which he produced in a few minutes. J.B. Holloway volunteered to apply the drug and in 11 minutes, timekeepers J.V. Nuckols, Fred Ramthun and Henry Franke counted the bruin out.

On assurance that the bear was dead. Will Finkelstein came to earth from a nearby plum tree. He said that this was the greatest of all his hunting experiences; he had never seen dogs work nicer and more cool courage displayed by any party of hunters.

Tom Underwood's scales showed that the bear weighed 1,172 pounds net. The carcass was divided among the hunters, each of the visitors taking a souvenir of the chase; Frank Dickson of Edna taking a front paw, he said he wanted it to go with his rattlesnake that he killed a few weeks ago. A. J. Carothers of Ganado, took the other front paw. The Louise delegation took their several parts and the remainder was brought to El Campo, where it lay in state for four days.

We understand the pelt is to be sold and proceeds to be divided among the El Campo and Wharton participants; In all it was a glorious day for lovers of big game sport. Both Editors, David and McKnlght of Wharton, pronounced it perfect in every way, with just enough danger to make it interesting. Maurice Dunlop of Richmond and Geo. B. Lang of Rosenberg were invited but did not take part, they said all their guns and dogs were needed at home.

Since the hunt we have been offered ten shares of Beaumont oil stock for our dog which we declined with thanks. Capt. Webb must be congratulated in the manner in which he managed the whole affair. No serious accidents happened and the day will be long remembered by all who took part.

- Janet Hobizal is the archivist-notary at the Wharton County Historical Museum.