AN EXPERIENCE OF RACHEL COMBS ACORD
John Acord and his wife, Rachel Combs, were both born in Pennsylvania. They built a cabin in a clearing in the forest, all alone and far from neighbors. It was, of necessity, very sturdy with heavy wooden shutters at the windows to keep out wild animals of which there were many in the forest.
On one occasion, John had gone a considerable distance away, which would mean his remaining from home overnight. His young wife was left alone with only the companionship of a faithful dog, and an axe for protection. Sometime during the night, Rachel heard a noise made by some animal prowling around outside. Thinking it might be a panther, she hastily built a great fire on the hearth to prevent it from entering through the chimney. The noise outside still continued. She slipped to the back door and turned her dog out. Presently she heard him whine and knew he was in trouble. This was too much for her sympathetic nature, and seizing her heavy axe in one hand she opened the door. To her surprise and terror there was a huge bear in the doorway. He seemed dazed by the blinding light of the fire. Rachel struck him a terrific blow on the head with her axe, and he fell dead at her feet. She dragged him into the room, skinned him by the light of the fire, and in her own words:
"When John came home the next day, I was living in grease and plenty."
At the age of 55 Rachel was left a widow and remained one for 40 years. She became a proficient mid-wife, riding through the woods on horseback for miles to care for her patients. When she was 94 years of age, she delivered a fine baby boy to Nancy Frost Acord, wife of her grandson, Abram.
After rearing her family of ten children, she cared for nine orphaned grandchildren for many years.
Rachel Combs Acord was a woman of strong character, staunch, loyal and utterly fearless. She lived to be 95 years and 7 months of age.
Who doesn't love that story!! Although, I'm wondering how she got that bear into her house.....I'd like to ask her someday!
