| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm of
the Calhoun Chronicle dated 8/26/1902.
A Big Bear Hunt
Last Monday evening Jerome Hardman and the editor received an
invitation
to participate in a bear hunt at Annamoriah.
For several weeks a large bear has been making his home in the
large
boundries of woods near the farm of H.P. Blake, and has frightened
several
of the citizens of that community nearly out of their wits.
Nothing
was done, however, to put an end to Bruins existence until last week,
when
it was discovered that he had been "working" on the farmers
corn.
Then it was that Mr. Blake organized a hunt.
Last Tuesday morning more than four score and ten of the citizens
of
that community assembled on the hill near Mr. Blake's house, each man
armed
to the teeth, and commenced a thorough search for the bear. In
Mr.
Blake's cornfield were signs that it has been there the night previous
and there the hunt commenced. Through thickets, over precipices,
into briar patches and down every stream and holler the crowd
searched,
but no bruin. After a while it was discovered that the bear hat
gotten
out of the circle formed and gone across to another hill.
Hounds,
of which there was an abundance, were placed on its track and the
chase
began. For a long time the dogs were followed, but on account of
the ground being so dry the dogs could not follow the trail, and after
a long and tiresome hunt, the search was given up.
As soon as the weather is good for the business another hunt will
be
taken, as not until Bruin is done away with will the residents of the
community
rest in peace. One lady recently met the bear face to face, and
a
very exciting foot race followed. Each endeavored to see how
much
distance could be put between them in a short time.
It was a sight to see the old fashioned, muzzle loading rifles that
was cleaned up and brought from their resting places, where they had
lain
unused for years. Had anyone got sight of the bear that day,
another
hunt would have been unnecessary.
We want to be "in at the death" and hope before long to have on
exhibition
in our office a bear skin or paw as proof of our prowess. | 
