Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-08-16

l.. Is.
*Unclo Of the rresen, Hon John Rowan.
OF Louisville.
1he Human Pdnther.-The Peoria Re-
gister-a paper which frequently amuscs US
with anecdotes connected with the settlement
oil The western country, furnishes us with the
following sketch, which il says was related
oy ageD'leman Of grea, respectabili.y ,livin
near the spot where the circumstances oc,
curred.-BaH .ainerican.
In the latter. part of that bloody trage.
dy, which spread dismay throughout this
part oil the State, there were about nine
hundred Indians encamped on the Hi
nois river, opposite to the present town
site OF La Sale. composed principally of
the lroquois tribe. They had always
maintained friendly intercourse with
the whites in the vicinity. and had man.
liested a great Partially for one in par.
ticular. This was ''old Myers" per,
iect prototype of Cooper's trapper.-
This state was the fifth in which he had
erected his hut in advance of white
population. He had of course acquired
more OF the habits of the Indians than of
civilized men, and vas Familiarity known
among them as THE Panther''-a title
which he had acquired from them, by
daring exploit in killing an animal of
that name, when leading them in one of
their wild hunts.
AT the period referred 10, these In.
dams rallied under the Black Hawk stan.
dard' and were committing many depre-
aations upon the settlers in the vicinity.
When repIlsed, they did not hesitate TO
wantonly murder their former friends and
companions. About the cabin of the
Panther, nearly hundred settlers had
come In tor the safety OF their wives and
children, placing them under his protec>
tion. But among the victims of savage
oarbarity there happened TO be BROTH
-ln>law OF the Panther. with his wife.
aud three children. Herein they commit.
ted an objectionable outrage upon the
family OF their ancient friend and demi-
savage. When the sad tidings of their
cruel late reached the garrison the Pan
ther was seen clothing himself in battle
array. With his rifle, his tsmahawk
and scslping knife. in open day he 81,
iently bent his steps to the Indian Quar-
tiers, about one mile distant. Fearlesslv
he marched into the midst of the sayaoe
oand, ieveiied his rifle at the head chief
present. and deliberately killed him on
the spot. "
lie then severed the lifeless head from
ITS trunk, and held it up by the hair be-
lore the awe struck multitude, exclaim.
ing, You have murdered nv brother
his wife, and their three little ones and
now | have killed your chief / am
now even with you; but, he added
every one of you that is found here to.
morrow morning at sunrise, is dead In
dian" All this was accomplished by
the Panther without the least molesta-
ton. They knew that he would take
vengeance for their deed of blood-apd
silently acknowledged the justice ofthe
daring act. He then bore off the head
IN triumph to his cabin. The next
morning not an Indian could be found in
all that region. They left forever their
homes and their dead, aud that part Of
the state has not been molested by them
since
A lew weeks since, this veteran Of
eighty winters sold his claim, end ca.
parisohed with the same hunting shirt
and weapons which he wore when be
Killed the chiei, started for Missouri
Alter travelling few rods, he returned
and asked permission to give his "e.7ana
! ycH' The gentleman to whom he had
sold the land, giving his assent. he gave
long, loud and shrill whoop, that made
the weikin ring for miles around
Now" said he, my blessing is on the
land and on you; your ground will al
ways yield an abundance, and you will
always prosper" Again he took up his
march Tor & new home in the wilderness
where be could enjoy the happiness Of
solitude, undistu!bed by social ties.