Chapter V

THE BEAR STORY

I have no recollection of ever seeing Bear Jim Wilson, but have often heard my father and other old settlers tell the story that made this man famous among the hunters of that period. In brief, it was said that Jim Wilson lost his scalp in a fight with a bear. About the year 1811 or 1812, James Wilson settled about eight miles northwest of the French Lick Springs. He proved to be one of the boldest and the most successful hunters that ever crossed the Blue ridge to establish a home in Indiana Territory. No wonder the story of Wilson being scalped was so impressive. At that period there was no greater terror to the white man than the fact that the savage Indian warriors scalped their enemies and carried the scalp suspended to their belts as a token of the courage and success in war. In Jim Wilson's case I think it would be unjust to charge the bear with cruelty as it was clearly a case of self-defense on the part of the bear.

The story runs about as follows: Jim Wilson had built his log cabin in the woods and cleared a small corn patch, and that was his first crop. Bruin was fond of roasting ears, and one morning Jim found bear tracks in his new ground. He said he would not divide his crop with the bear, and so in company with one of his neighbors, he followed the trail some two or three miles where the bear had entered a cave. Jim had two motives in the action that followed. First, to catch the thief that stole his corn, and second to secure some bear meat. Bear meat was a great luxury to the pioneers, and the hides were in demand by the trappers and fur traders. Jim at once made his customary arrangement to capture his game. From some dry sticks and bark he made a torch. After lighting it he boldly entered the den. He carried his torch in one hand and his trusty rifle in the other. The cave was in a hillside, and after going down a few feet the bottom was almost level, and the cave from one to three feet wide. The overhanging rocks were so low that it was necessary to stoop in going further into the bears hiding place. Jim at last reached a sharp turn in the cave when he came upon the bear. The beast was only a few feet away, and his eyes shone like balls of fire.

Before he could get his gun in position to fire the bear sprang on him in his efforts to get out of close quarters. A hand to hand engagement at once ensued. The blazing torch was knocked from the hunter's hand and went out, leaving the combatants to finish the engagement in midnight darkness. While the battle raged in the narrow passway the man that was left at the entrance fled for safety, leaving Jim alone in his glory. The dirk knife in the hunter's belt became of the utmost importance and probably saved his life. He stabbed the bear with all his might. In the scuffle the bear passed over his body and made his escape. Jim emerged from the cave with torn and bleeding scalps, and several ugly gashed about his shoulders. The blood streamed over his face and almost blinded his eyes while he made his way back to his log cabin. Jim soon recovered from the wounds received in this memorable struggle. He lived to tell the tale to his children's children, but he was ever afterwards known as "Bear Jim Wilson."