The Ruardean Bears punished part 2 (General)

by Mike Pinchin , Bedford, England, Friday, November 13, 2015, 20:57 (3286 days ago) @ harryh

This is one of the original reports of the incident,

BNA Gloucester Citizen - Tuesday 30 April 1889

FIGHT WITH BEARS IN THE FOREST OF DEAN.
TWO FRENCHMEN BEATEN.

A Forest of Dean correspondent sends the following extraordinary story. A very remarkable affair has occurred in Dean Forest, in which four Frenchmen were subjected to rough treatment at the hands of the colliers and others living in the neighbourhood of Ruardean Hill, near Cinderford. Two Russian bears which the foreigners had with them were killed. It appears that the Frenchmen arrived on Friday morning at Cinderford. They were accompanied by two Russian bears of ordinary size. The animals were muzzled, and each was in charge of two keepers. They exhibited about the town till about three o'clock the afternoon, and then took the road for Nailbridge en route for Drybrook, Ruardean, and Lydbrook. The party was followed out of the town by many small children. Somewhere in the neighbourhood of Nailbridge the report was started that a child had been killed at Cinderford, and a woman very much hurt, at the same time and place, by the bears. The report, it seems, was a pure fabrication, but the poor Frenchmen and their quadrupeds who had been the objects of interest at once received the attention of a hostile mob. Without inquiring as to the truth of the story, scores of young fellows and boys who had collected intimated their intention to despatch the brutes. To this end stakes were torn up, garden clothes props, stones, brick bats, and other weapons, were used to attack the bears. Their keepers, unable to speak a word of English, went down on their knees and in great distress implored, by gestures, to be left alone. Their entreaties were in vain, and several times the men were struck either with sticks or stones, and one received a serious blow in the neck with a half brick. In this way a couple of miles were traversed, and at six o'clock it was estimated that a mob of 200 persons had collected. The bears became excited, and in the middle of the road within sight of Ruardean the smaller of the two beasts was killed outright by a heavy pole which someone level led at its head. Two of the Frenchmen escaped into a wood, and they have not been seen nor heard of since. The other two, worn out with fatigue and fright, sank to the ground, thus letting the second animal go free. The beast jogged on as fast as it could, but was again captured and was shot dead. Some persons who took pity on the strangers invited them into their houses and gave them shelter. The neighbourhood continued in a most excited state for some time. Much sympathy is expressed for j the strangers, who have lost their means of livelihood.

We are informed that the French Vice- Consul in Gloucester (Mr. J. B. Karn) has received a communication from Mr. M. F. Carter, of Newnham, stating that proceedings will be taken against some of the men alleged to have been concerned in the affray ; that the magistrates have power to make a grant of £10 compensation for the loss of the bears, and suggesting that as the Frenchmen not speak English Mr. Karn had better attend at Littledean Police-court when the cases came on, as interpreter, or make proper arrangements. The French Consul at Cardiff communicated with Mr. Karn this morning by telegram requesting that he would take what steps might be deemed advisable for asserting the rights of the Frenchmen concerned. The two men who escaped into the woods have arrived at Cardiff. The matter is considered of such importance that Mr. Karn this afternoon proceeded to the Forest to make inquiries on the spot, preparatory to taking what action may be considered necessary.

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The report of the subsequent police court proceedings is in the BNA Gloucester Citizen - Saturday 04 May 1889. This contains the names of the Frenchmen and the fate of those charged. I think Joseph Hopkins was discharged. The transcript runs to two and a half pages of A4 and I haven't the time to correct the BNA's OCR software at the moment. However, if anyone is interested in a download just email me via the blue envelope.