Herald Of The Times, And Rhode Islander

HORRIBLE DEATH.—Dr. Isaac Hamberlin, a worthy man and old citizen of this county, came to his death, a few days since, in a most shocking manner. One day last week, Dr. Hamberlin, with two other gentlemen, left Satartia for a bear hunt, and proceeded to Lake George, where it forms a junction with the Sunflower River. A short time after they landed from their boat, the dogs entered the cane and immediately struck a trail, and Dr. H. followed them but a short distance, when he came up with them and a very large bear in the thick cane. Dr. H. fired at him, the ball entering his head at the upper part of the nose, without doing much injury, other than to infuriate him, and he turned and made at Dr. H. The doctor endeavored to get out of the animal's way but the cane being very thick, he could run but slowly, and had proceeded but a short distance when the bear overtook him, seized him by the thigh and jerked him to the ground, and completely stripped Dr. H's leg of flesh and muscles. By this time the dogs again seized the bear and got him off. Dr. H. then attempted to rise, but could not being so badly torn. He then got out his hunting knife; the bear left the dogs and attacked Dr. H. the second time, and tore him very much. This time Dr. H. succeeded in cutting one or two gashes in the throat of the bear but not deep enough to do him any material injury. The dogs again diverted the attention of the bear from his victim, and he left Dr. H. engaged with the dogs; but, in a few moments the bear came at him the third time, when Dr. H. made a stroke at him, but the bear seized the knife by the blade, wrenched it from Dr. H. and threw it some distance from him, and seized Dr. H's arm and mashed it into jelly. By this time the cries of Dr. Hamberlin brought one of his companions to his rescue, and he, seeing the awful situation of his friend, fired and struck the bear in the neck, which caused the beast to leave his victim and take to flight; but another of the company coming up, in an opposite direction, encountered the bear and shot him. Dr. Hamberlin had his wounds tied up, and was then carried to the boat, to be conveyed immediately to Satartia, but he expressed his unwillingness to return without having his formidable antagonist with him. His desire was gratified, and he and the bear were taken to Satartia, where eminent medical aid was brought to his assistance, but he died on the fourth day after, suffering during the time the most excruciating pain. The bear was very large, though poor, weighing 340 pounds with his entrails out.—Yazoo, Miss. Whig, 21st Jan