The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-31
The Panther.

The Peoria Register, paper which
frequently instructs and amuses US with
anecdotes connected with tho settle
ment oflhe Western country, furnishes
US with the following sketch, which it
says was related by gentleman Of
great respectability, living near tho
spot where the circumstance occurred:
In the latter part of that bloody trad
gedy, which spread dismay throughout
this part of the State, there were about
nine hundred Indians encampsd on
the Illinois river, opposite to the pres
ent town site of De Sale, composed
principally of the Iroquois tribe. They
had always maintained friendly in
tercourse with the whites in the vicini-
ity, and had manifested great partial
ity for one in particular. This was
sold Myers" a perfect 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
was familary 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 that period referred to, these Indians
rallied under the Black Hawk standard,
and were committing many dspreda-
tions upon the settlers in the vicinity.
When repulsed, they did not hesitate
to murder their former friends and COM
panions. About the cabin OF the Pam
ther, nearly a hundred settlers had
come in for the safety of their wives
and children, placing them under his
protection. But among the victims of
savage barbarity, there happened to
be brother-in-law of the Panther, with
his wife and the children. Here they
committed an objectionable outrage up-
on the family Of their ancient friend and
demi savage. When the sad tidings Of
their cruel fate had reached the garrl.
son, the Panther was seen clothing him.
self in battle array. With his rifle, his
tomohawk, and scalping knife, in open
day, he silently bent his way to the In.
dian quarters, about one mile distant.
Fearlessly he marched into the midst
Of the savage band, levelled his rifle at
the head chef present, and deliberate.
ly killed him on the spot. He then
severed the lfeless head from the trunk,
and held it by the hair before the awe
struck multitude, exclaiming, "You
have murdered my 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 tomorrow morn
ing at sunrise, is dead Indian" All
this was accomplished by the Panther
without the least molestation. They
knew that he would take vengeancs for
their deed of blood-and silently ac-
knowledged the justice Of the daring
act. He then bore off the head in tri-
umph TO his cabin. The next morning
not an Indian could be found in all that
region. They left forever their homes
and their dead, and that part Of the
State has not been molested- by them
since.
A lew weeks since, this veteran Of
eighty winters sold his claim, and COM
parisoned with the same hunting shirt
and weapons which. he wore when he
killed the chief, started for Missouri.
After travelling few rods, he RETURN
ed and asked permission to give his
.grand yell" The gentleman to whom
he had sold the land, giving his assent,
he gave long loud, and shrill whoop,
that made the welkin ring for miles
around. "Now," said be, "my blessing
is on the land, and on you; your ground
will always prosper" Again he took
up his march for new home in the
wilderness, where he could enjoy the
happiness Of solitude undisturbed by
social ties, @f p4a5 g