The two small boys of the Whipp family of Snoqualmie, in their spring wanderings in the hills nearby, captured a bear and brought it home to domesticate. The bear was not hard to catch, as seemingly grubs and berries at this time of the year are not very plentiful and consequently the said bear lacked considerable vitality.

But with great care and ingenuity in selecting bottles, nipples and experimenting with various breakfast foods, Mr. Bear was waxing strong and vigorous and was in a fair way to becoming one of the well-favored members of the Whipp family.

The word “was” is used advisedly – the bear is no longer a care to the Whipp boys. It was this way:

It seems that, according to the statutes “made and provided,” no small boys are allowed to keep bears in captivity, and it coming to the knowledge of the King County Game Warden that a gross infraction of the law was being flaunted in Snoqualmie, four wardens or deputy sheriffs called, in the course of their duty, at the Whipp home and confiscated said bear. No arrests were made, but the bear is now incarcerated somewhere else in King County.

Summary: Two small boys; a 4 foot 8-inch father; one small bear about 16 inches from tip of the nose to tip of the tail; four big officers of the law. But the dignity of the law must be preserved. Small boys should take heed and leave the bears alone.