Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1894 — A Montana Bear Story. [ARTICLE]

A Montana Bear Story.

“Montana is a zoological garden in its native state,” said Colonel Jim Struthers to a “Star” man last night at the Arlington. “We have all kinds of wild beasts, from grizzly bears and prairie dogs down. Speaking of bears reminds me of once upon a time. It was before the State got polluted by the trolley, and when it wasn’t good form to wear a collar. It was before Montana got to be the greatest State in the Union. I was prospecting away in the Bull Mountains. I hadn't seen any dirt that looked as though it had the right ring to it. The sun was turning in and shadows were coming out of the east. 1 took the pack off one of my horses, picketed the animals, and made a supper of hot coffee and bacon and bread. Thet> 1 colled up in a blanket and knew nc more. The night was about halt spent, when I began to dream that I was washing my face in one of the geysers of the Yellowstone. The sensation became so realistic that I 8-woke. A hot breath was breathing on my visage, and a strange tongue was swabbing me down. I was sort of dazed with fear, and remained perfectly still. Presently the licking process ceased and the hot breath was withdrawn. A big, dark, awkward something shambled off, and I sank to rest once more. When day came I found that my provision box had been raided, and the soft earth around me was full of bear tracks. I shivered a little bit, and moved on." The Colonel told this as though he really wanted to be believed, and the reporter left.—Washington Star.