19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

MENACE
Sirs:
I would like to add a couple of points not mentioned in Emmett Watson's article on the grizzly incidents in Glacier National Park (Menace in Our Northern Parks, Oct. 30). First, it came out after the incidents that it was customary for people to feed the bears at the chalets in the backcountry. I don't remember if the bears in question were grizzlies, but I think it is fair to say that if grizzlies in that vicinity became used to associating food with human habitation then they would be less wary of breaking into a camp. Such a situation, I think, would greatly increase the chances of attack, particularly if the bear were aroused or frightened. Bears that have lost their fear of man become especially dangerous.

Second, I think it is inevitable that as more and more pressure is put on back-country areas, i.e., greater visitation by hikers, more contacts will be made with the grizzly in his wilderness habitat. The only solution is the recognition of this fact by hikers and the use of extreme caution when traveling through these areas.
JOHN F. BURGER
Berkeley, Calif.

Sirs:
In the future, when Mr. Watson undertakes to write about grizzly bears it might be of advantage to his readers if he would verify his facts. His reference to Hugh Glass being abandoned by four companions is inaccurate. Hugh Glass was abandoned by two companions, John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger. When Glass recovered he found Bridger at Ashley's Fort on the Yellowstone and Bighorn rivers. He forgave Bridger, because it was Bridger's first trip West. Glass then pursued Fitzgerald to a fort on the Missouri River, where he also forgave him.
HARRY N. BABCOCK
Cleveland

?Hugh Glass was a semilegendary figure, but unquestionably a great mountain man. Every detail of his life has been debated and questioned—except for the fact that he was attacked by a grizzly and abandoned by his companions.—ED.

Sirs:
I started very casually to look through Emmett Watson's article telling of the two girls killed by grizzly bears, but found it so absorbing and educational that I could not put it aside until I had finished it. The author and SI deserve special commendation. You may save others—otherwise unalerted—from being fatally mauled by grizzlies. The article should be carefully and widely read and its warning heeded.
G.M.W. KOBB�
New York City

TRIUMPH IN DEFEAT
Sirs:
As a recent student and self-proclaimed expert on the sport of boxing, I have read many tales of the exploits of the colorful heavyweights of a bygone era. By comparison, our recent "great," questionable citizen and braggart champion, and his somewhat less than articulate predecessor of shady background have led most of us fans to wish, in vain, for a return of those good old days with a hero we can look up to.

But wait! Today I saw something on television that compels me to write this. I saw a man with fantastic courage. A real man and a humble man. In fact, he has all the qualities that fans should look for in a hero. He has been laughed at, "punished," counted out in the ring and disregarded by the writers of his sport and life. There he stood today, the loser to Jerry Quarry by a decision that was booed by his opponent's home town crowd (They're Still Waiting for Jerry, Nov. 6). He stood above all the undeserved abuse and ridicule that has been heaped upon him. My hat is off to Mr. Floyd Patterson, a great boxer, great athlete and fine human being. I am proud to be living in his era.
GARY K. BURKLE
Hamilton, Ohio

Sirs:
The Patterson-Quarry fight sank the World Boxing Association and California boxing to a new low. Not that the fight was a bad one. On the contrary, it was perhaps the most exciting of the so-called heavyweight championship eliminations. The only thing wrong was the judges' decision.

Although I am a former registered second in the State of Maine, I do not consider myself a boxing expert. But I can declare plainly that, no matter how many points were given to Quarry for his knockdowns, he could not conceivably have won that fight in a fair decision.
DAVID B. SACHSMAN
Mountain View, Calif.

KRAM SLAM
Sirs:
I am Oscar Natalio Bonavena, Argentina's heavyweight boxing champion. As you know, I have the honor to participate in the world selection tournament organized by Sports Action Inc., under the surveillance of the World Boxing Association. I take part in it because I honestly believe that I will be the next world champion. This is what really encouraged me and makes me continue with more faith than ever.