Facts and Fancies
The Rondout Freeman is responsible for first giving publicity to the following story. Some slight changes are here made to conform more closely to the facts. Up back of Lackawaxen lived Farmer Cole. While at work in his field one day, with his man Olmstead, word came that a bear had raided his pig-pen and was carrying off a pig; and presently the Babel of sounds in the direction of the house announced that something unusual was transpiring. Cole and his man made a dash for the scene of the disturbance. The former caught up a hay-knife which happened to be lying near, while Olmstead had secured a stout hickory club from the wood-pile. On reaching the house the bear was seen crossing the orchard back of the sty, walking upright on his hind feet, and carrying a pig in his
Olmstead, word came that a bear had raided his pig-pen and was carrying off a pig; and presently the Babel of sounds in the direction of the house announced that something unusual was transpiring. Cole and his man made a dash for the scene of the disturbance. The former caught up a hay-knife which happened to be lying near, while Olmstead had secured a stout hickory club from the wood-pile. On reaching the house the bear was seen crossing the orchard back of the sty, walking upright on his hind feet, and carrying a pig in his 
Up Back of Lackawaxen
fore paws. The pig was squealing lustily, and struggling to get away. Close upon the heels of the bear came the sow and the rest of the litter, which seemed to know all was not right and made a great uproar. Next followed Mrs. Cole and her three daughters, armed with brooms and such other weapons as they in their haste could secure. Farmer Cole, his two sons and the hired man joined in the pursuit, and a formidable force was presented. At the back of the orchard was a fence. The bear climbed over with his pig, but the fence prevented the sow and her litter from following; the rest, however, followed on, and carried the war into the adjoining field. Farmer Cole gave the hay-knife into the hands of his son James, caught a rail from the fence, and running ahead of the bear, he and the hired man by taking hold of either end tripped Bruin up. The bear did not lose his hold of the pig, but gathered himself up and made off towards the woods. The rail was held as before, and a second time was now dead, and made a dash for Farmer Cole. A third time was the animal thrown to the ground, and the men, by holding with all their united strength against the rail, held the bear down until James came up with the hay-knife and cut his throat.
James, caught a rail from the fence, and running ahead of the bear, he and the hired man by taking hold of either end tripped Bruin up. The bear did not lose his hold of the pig, but gathered himself up and made off towards the woods. The rail was held as before, and a second time was now dead, and made a dash for Farmer Cole. A third time was the animal thrown to the ground, and the men, by holding with all their united strength against the rail, held the bear down until James came up with the hay-knife and cut his throat.Table of Contents