Funston and the Bear
The New England Home Magazine
Page 567
September 17, 1899
William Allen White of Emporia, Kan., author of the famous "What's the Matter With Kansas" editorial which reached such prominence during the last Presidential campaign, and the author of the "Boyville" stories, is a great friend of Gen. Funston, and the two have hunted together for many years.
Once upon a time, before the game laws had very much respect given them in Colorado, these two worthies were on a hunting trip in the summer time, out beyond Estes Park. Here, in a little valley, they came upon a deserted village, some scores of houses without a single inhabitant, the abandoned camp of an earlier mining stampede. They took possession of this town in the name of Kansas, hoisting over it their broad pennant, and when they got tired of living in one house they moved to another. Mr. Funston, whom Mr. White describes as a shocking bad shot, went out hunting regularly after mountain sheep, and finally succeeded in killing a good ram, which they bore in triumph to the house which at the time they were honoring with their presence. They had disposed of most of their sheep, when one morning they were surprised to receive a visit from the Game Warden. While Mr. Funston entertained this man in the front parlor, Mr. White pulled up a couple of boards in the drawing room and lost the head under the house for the time being. The Game Warden departed, silenced and apparently convinced. A few days later than this Mr. Funston went out after raspberries, taking his gun along, as usual. He gathered a pail full of berries, which he put in a shady spot, and threw his gun down beside them. Wandering a little way from this spot he at length lay down and went to sleep. He was awakened some time later by an unfamiliar sound, and on sitting up saw a very handsome cinnamon bear making for his pail of berries. It needs only be added that the bear got the berries, the future General of volunteers making a masterly retreat along the mountain side until he reached the bosom of the deserted village aforesaid.
Page 567
September 17, 1899
William Allen White of Emporia, Kan., author of the famous "What's the Matter With Kansas" editorial which reached such prominence during the last Presidential campaign, and the author of the "Boyville" stories, is a great friend of Gen. Funston, and the two have hunted together for many years.
Once upon a time, before the game laws had very much respect given them in Colorado, these two worthies were on a hunting trip in the summer time, out beyond Estes Park. Here, in a little valley, they came upon a deserted village, some scores of houses without a single inhabitant, the abandoned camp of an earlier mining stampede. They took possession of this town in the name of Kansas, hoisting over it their broad pennant, and when they got tired of living in one house they moved to another. Mr. Funston, whom Mr. White describes as a shocking bad shot, went out hunting regularly after mountain sheep, and finally succeeded in killing a good ram, which they bore in triumph to the house which at the time they were honoring with their presence. They had disposed of most of their sheep, when one morning they were surprised to receive a visit from the Game Warden. While Mr. Funston entertained this man in the front parlor, Mr. White pulled up a couple of boards in the drawing room and lost the head under the house for the time being. The Game Warden departed, silenced and apparently convinced. A few days later than this Mr. Funston went out after raspberries, taking his gun along, as usual. He gathered a pail full of berries, which he put in a shady spot, and threw his gun down beside them. Wandering a little way from this spot he at length lay down and went to sleep. He was awakened some time later by an unfamiliar sound, and on sitting up saw a very handsome cinnamon bear making for his pail of berries. It needs only be added that the bear got the berries, the future General of volunteers making a masterly retreat along the mountain side until he reached the bosom of the deserted village aforesaid.