N3816

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

Private William Bratton

Bom to lrish parents in virginia on July 27, 1778, William's family moved to Kentucky in 1790. Bratton was a reserved and intelligent man with high morals. He was an excellent blacksmith and gunsmith and worked with John Shields. During the late aftemoon of May 11, 1805, Bratton was hunting alone when he encountered a gigantic grizzly. Even though shot through the lungs, the deadly bear chased William for over one-half mile back to the camp. Lewis led a party "in quest of this monster." The determined animal traveled over a mile and hid" waiting in ambush. He was found and killed. Lewis concluded, "These bear being so hard to die rather intimidates us all" and that he would "reather fight rwo Indians than one bear. "

Aggressive grizzlies were a constant threat. Three days later, six men took on another large bear. With a roar, the grizzily arose and attacked, chasing all six to a river. The bear swam after two and was killed by a head shot from shore. It look eight bullets to vanquish the mighty bruin. On July 15, 1806, Drouillard was gone for several days and feared killed by a gizzly. Lewis wrote, "I knew if he met a bear in the plains, it would attack him...The chances infavour of his being killedwould be as 9 to 10."