Spirit Of The Age

BEARS IN NORTH BRIDGEWATER.

Last week Friday morning as a young boy who lives with L. L. Cobb, on the North Bridgewater road, was out looking after some traps he came in sight of a large black bear, and as his bearship seemed coming in his direction he discovered he had business at the house. Upon hearing the boy's story Mr. Cobb, together with the Thompson brothers and E. G. Clifford, went back with the boy and found the tracks which showed plainly in the snow; but as the snow had melted on the low land it was impossible to follow them far.

It is also reported that Mr. Granlin, a neighbor who lives on the George Vaughan farm, saw a bear on his meadow the day before.

Elon Lawrence failed to get a deer but spent considerable strength in chasing a young bear who displayed the speed necessary to keep out of rifle shot. This was on the second day of the open season, light snow having fallen, and he was easily able to trace the animal. He started the bear on G. A. Slocum's land in North Bridgewater, and followed it over the hill across "Butternut Ranch" and Dr. F. T. Kidder's suburban estate, down to the river. The bear crossed the Ottauquechee near the iron kettle on the Bridgewater road and went up over Lockwood hill, leaving tracks for his pursuer's examination that led toward South Woodstock. According to Mr. Lawrence, the bear showed some experience and skill in trying to throw him off the track, walking backward in his footprints and then jumping off to one side in another direction.