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Show Volume X THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Issue VIII Page 9 August 1, 2004 Big Grizzly John H. Smith Bear Story Note: This story was taken from a biography of Marineus Johan Johansen by Orvetta J. Burrows, a daughter. The story is printed in the booklet, The story about their father's close call with a bear is told very briefly in stories written by his children, and others. n a pioneer personal history interview with Albert H. Garner in 1934, he provides a more complete story as follows: “T remember once there was a fight with a big grizzly bear just southeast of Huntsville. A man named Smith (John A.), father of William G. Smith, who used to be Justice of the Peace in Huntsville and whose story was in the paper last week, had some sheep killed by the bear. He came to town and got some men to go with him. They were armed with old time muzzle loading rifles. Smith and Warren Richardson followed the bear’s trail in the underbrush along the stream. Ss Warren stepped up on a beaver dam, he saw “True Bear Stories” compiled by Leota H. Allen. Copies can be purchased jrom the Huntsville Historical Library. Do you think there were ever any bears in Huntsville a long, long time ago? Oh yes, there used to be a lot of bears in the hills close to town. When Huntsville was first settled, bears would come out of the hills, right down into town and kill lambs and animals like sheep and calves, and there was one great big grizzly bear that came down real often. The farmers had tried over and over again to either catch this big bear in a trap or shoot him, but he was too smart. Finally, a man set a great big bear trap and when he checked the trap in the morning, what do you think he found? Only the front paw of the big grizzly—the big bar had got caught alright, but he had chewed off his own paw and got away. The men in the town kept trying to catch that old foxy bear. One late autumn morning, two men from Huntsville, Jens Winter and Marinus Johansen, went hunting for deer in the foothills sought of the town. As they were hiking along, they noticed some huge bear tracks. There was about 4 inches of new snow on the ground so the bear tracks were very plain and easy to follow. Historical Photos They knew that bear roasts would sell better then deer, so they decided to follow the tracks and try to get the bear. Mr. Johansen had killed several bears in his life so he knew of their habits. The tracks led the man through several canyons and into a patch of thick oak brush. Knowing it would be dangerous to follow the bear in such thick cover, they decided Johansen, Heathman Smith, the charged untsville 6 BD, 2.5 BA Over 1 2 had forward, taking three jumps men. In a split second both men fired. Twice more and the bear stumbled and fell at their feet. All five shots had hit him. Everyone in town was glad when they heard that the big old mean bear was dead. Hyrum’s great, great grandfather Hyrum Carver and George Stallings killed this bear in Eden’s river bottoms in the early 1900's. The third person in the picture is unknown. Photo courtesy of Hyrum Hill. Reprinted courtesy of Trophy Hunter Magazine winter 2003. If you can identify the third person, please call Shanna at 745-2688 or Jeannie at 745-2879. acre. Gorgeous lake & mountain. views! Reduced to $339,000! who had experience with wounded bears thought it was best to work their way around and shoot him from close range That is just what they did. They traded guns and Mr. Johansen took the big 45-70 and Mr. Winter the 25 caliber deer rifle. They sneaked slowly through the brush. The very thought of shooting a bear made them both very jittery. They stopped a few feet above where the bear was enjoying his sunbath. He raised up and sniffed the air—he knew they were close by. BANG! went the big gun. The bear the bear. Smith ran up and fired and wounded the bear. The enraged animal rushed forward and seized Smith’s thigh, tearing out a large (flap) of flesh. Smith fell down a beaver hole and the bear turned and chased Warren who jumped a slough. The bear fell in the slough and as he climbed out, Warren shot him in the mouth. Bruin then slashed at Warren with his paws and ripped his homespun pants from the pocket to the ankle. Just then the other members of the party closed in and finished the grizzly. Smith suffered from his wounds for a long time.” His wife was Mary midwife in Huntsville, known as Grandma Smith. She cleansed the wound and replaced the flap of flesh, sewing it in place with a needle and thread. It was very sore for a long time, but he recovered. He died 18 February, 1871 at the age of fifty-two, leaving his wife and eight children. Note: This article courtesy of Stanley F Wangsgaard, Huntsville Historian. to give up the chase. They started back down the trail. The thought of the juicy bear meat had all but left their minds when on the trail in front of them were the huge bear tracks again. The bear had made a complete circle and had crossed its own tracks. It didn’t take long to catch up with him. They found him stretched out under a thick oak tree, grunting contentedly. He was up the hill a little way from where the men were standing. Mr. Winter wanted to shoot him right from there, but Mr. Spectacular Huntsville home on 1.6 acres, 5BD, 3.5 B A office Reduced to $524,900! Incredible setting. Pine tree forest. 6 bedrooms, 2 baths, barn,1.9 acres. Must see! Beautiful home on 4.89 ac. Over 6500 sq.ft. Mother-in-law apartment $535,000 3 Bedrooms, family room. Huntsville 3 BD 3. BA, on 2.13 acres. Horse barn, 30’x49’ shop Reduced to $265,000! Country Living! Comfy 3BD, 2.5 BA, office, FR,on .92 acre. horse property. Now $224,200! Eden Mini-Ranch 1.69 ac 3B BA, w/full basen ready to finish. Reduced to $209,900! 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