South Austin Bear – 1876

Austin American Statesman – May 28, 1876

The Hill Country used to be one of the centers of the Texas bear trade. This report of a black bear near Bouldin Creek in South Austin is one of the earliest records I can find in the news. It’s a harrowing story with no conclusion, though we can assume it didn’t end well for the bear.

Last Sunday evening a group of colored men came across a black bear on the farm of Capt. J.E. Bouldin across the river.