The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

VERGENNES (Ver.) September 10.

A new method of killing Bears.

Early in the evening of the 31st ult. at Jeup's Patent, a bear was discovered near the road, which being pursued, ran up a tree. A number of men were soon collected, who went to building fires around the tree, to enable them to discern and shoot it; but finding it in vain, it being cloudy and no moon, it was proposed to one Peacock to go up the tree with a light, and direct those standing around to notice where it was, so as to be able to aim their muskets, after he had descended. This was done, and several discharges made to no purpose. It was next proposed that he should ascend the tree again with a loaded musquet, to shoot the beast, for which two dollars were offered him by two different persons: to this he readily consented, and ordered a bed-cord, one end of which was fastened to his body until he ascended, and the other to the musquet, which he drew up by it, until he got about sixty feet high, and within a few feet of the bear: by this time he discovered that there were two bears--but finding it very difficult to direct the musquet, he took the best position he could, and lashed himself fast with the rope, as the safest precaution against the attack or fall of the bear on him, and then fired without success: this, however, brought one of the bears towards him which he shot; shook down to the ground; and then, with a dog and several handspikes, despatched him. He next turned his attention to the other bear, which drew near him growling, and was now able to take good aim at it, which he did; and shot dead.