The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 43, July 1939 - April, 1940 Page: 324
576 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
panther, catamounts, wildcats, and wolves. These were all hard
on the hogs.
As my father's favorite recreation was in bear hunting, to
enjoy this favorite sport and to protect the hogs kept him out
from home more than usual. This exposed him a great deal
and sometimes he ran very narrow risks. I learned something
of several of these exciting and sometimes dangerous occasions.
Often it is the case that bear and panther will not take a tree.
As soon as they are wearied a little, they stop, selecting their own
battleground; and this is always the most unfavorable for enemies
-the huntsman and the pursuing dogs. As soon as the bear or
panther stops, the dogs change their tune from a yelp to a bark.
The first yelp always indicates to a huntsman a cheerful, hopeful
pursuit; but, when the dogs begin to bark loud and furiously,
they say to the huntsman that the chase is now ended, and the
enemy has now determined to fight unto death. Father said that
the dogs would always hold the animal in bay until he arrived,
but as soon as they saw him they would pile in on the bear or
panther and fight unto the death. On one of these occasibns, as
father arrived, he saw the dogs in deadly combat with one of
the largest bears of the range. With all possible speed, he pressed
his way through the briars and undergrowth. As soon as in reach
of the bear, he jabbed the muzzle of his gun against the side of
the bear, but to his surprise she pulled fire; and just at that mo-
ment the bear gathered father's favorite dog in fatal hug and
gathered his head in his enormous mouth as though going to
crush its brains out. Father pulled from his scabbard his butcher
knife and attempted to stab the bear. At that instant, the bear
turned the dog loose and caught father by the hand, tearing his
hand badly, closing down on his thumb, which was so bruised
and damaged that he had to have it taken off at the first joint.
Father suffered a long time with his crippled hand.
It was here that my father was married the third time. The
third marriage was to Mrs. Margarett Bascus. She had two chil-
dren, a son and a daughter. So father brought to the home a
wife and a mother for me. I was small and do not remember
how I felt about this addition at the time. I know, however,
that I did not intend for her to supplant my old colored mama.
I felt that she was all in all to me and that no other woman, no324
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 43, July 1939 - April, 1940, periodical, 1940; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101111/m1/348/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.