The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-08-19
BY EBA sMIT .
lCOSCLUDFD.I

CONCLUDED.
Time rolled on, and the Panther continued
flr wears 10 occupy his hut in the wilderness.
on the banks of the Illinois river, a general
lGyofite among the sayages, and exercising
great influence over them. At last the tide of
the white population again overlook him. md
he found himself once more surrounded by
white ueizhhors. Sill, however, he seemed
loalh 10 i1rs1ke the noble Illinois, on whose
banks he had been so long a fixture. and he
held on, forming sort OF connecting link be-
tween the hlte settlers and the Indians
Al length hOstIlItIes broke out, which result
ted ~ the memorable Black Hawk war. that
spread dcsOlatlon and sadness through that
part OF the country. Parties of lndiuns com
mitled the mos! wantOn and cruel depfedutions
upon the white settlers in every direction, often
numbering old friends and companions. with
whom they had long held friendly intercourse
The white settlers, for some distance round.
focked to the cabin Of the Panther for protec-
ton. II cabin was transformed into sort
OF garrison, and was filled by more than hun.
dfed men, women and children, who rested al
most their only hope OF safety on the prowess
OF the Panther and his great influence over the
SaVages.
Atths time a party of about nine hundred
o' the lroquois tribe, were encamped on the
banks OF the Illinois, about a mile from the
garrison OF MYERS and nearly opposite the pre-
seEt town of La Sale. One day news was
brought 10 the camp of Myers, that his brother
in-!aw, and wife, and their three little children,
had been cruelty murdered bv some of these
Indians. Tie Panther heard the sad news in
silence. The eyes of the people were upon
him TO see what he would do. Presently they
Deheld him with deliberate anG determined
air putting himself in balIle array. He grded
on his tomahawk k and seal ping knife, shoulder
ed his loaded rifle, and al open mid day silently
and alone bent his steps toward the Indian en-
campmen. With fearless and and firm tread
he marched directly into the midst of their as
seuiblv, leVeied his rifle at the head of the
principal Chief present, and shot him dead on
the spot. He then deliberately severed the
head from the trunk, and holding il up by the
hair before the awe-struck multitude, he ex-
claimed You bave murdered my brother.in
law, his wife, and their little ones and now
have killed your chief. | am now even with
you. But now mind; every one of you that
Is found here tomorrow morning, at sunrise, is
a dead Indian"
All this was accomplished without the least
mOestutiOn from the amazed savages. These
people are accustomed 10 regard any sudden
and remarkable deed of daring as the result of
some supernatural agency, an1 doubtless so
considered the present incident. Believing
their Chief had fallen victim 10 the anger Of
some unseen power, they were stupihed with
terror, and looked on without any thought of
resistance. Alvers bore off the head in triumph
10 his cabin, where he was welcomed bv his
ANXIOUS tfIends almost as one returning from
the dead. The next morning not one Indian
was 10 be iound any where IN the vicinity
Their camp was deserted, and they had left
tor ever their ancient homes and their dead, aud
that part OF the State was not molested by them
alerward.
The las, account we have of old Myers, the
Panther, was in The year 1888. The old man
was then eighty years of age; but his form was
still erect, and his stsp was firm; "hs eye was
not dim, nor his natural iOrce abated." Up To
that time he had remained on the banks OF his
faYOrlte Illinois. But now The old veteran
pioneer grew dscontented. The State was
rapidly filling up with inhabitants; the forms
and restraints of civilization, pressed upon
him and disc0mmoded him. The wilderness
and the freshness OF The country were destroyed
lie looked abroad from his old familiar hills,
and he saw ihat III every direction the march
OF civilization had broken in upon the repuse
of the old forests, and his heart again yearned
"F07 a ledge in some vast wilderness,
s. meb undless cOntiguity ct shade,
Where rulnOr Ot oppression or deceit,
vi unsuccessful or successful war,
Mlgnt never reach him more
The Old man began 10 talk of selling ou,
and once more "pulIing up stakes" TO be of.
What" suid ncigbor, "you are not a-go-
ing TO leave us, Father Myers, and take you:.
sell TO the WOODS again in your old age T.
Yes" said Myers; al can't stand this eter-
nal hustle OF the world around me. l must
be off into the woods where il is quiet; and as
soon as can sell out my Improvements shall
make tracks"
Tie venerable "squatter' had no fee in the
landhe occupied. but the improvements on ii
were his own, and it was not long before gem
teman appt AIRED, who offered him fair equya
lent for these, with right to purchase the
soil. The bargain was completed, and the
money counted out, aud the Panther began TO
prepare for his departure.
Where are you going, Father Myers 2"
said the neighbGrs.
We'll, | reckon" said the old Panther, 81
shall 60 away of somewhere to the further
slde ol Missouri; understand the people haint
got there YET, aud there's a plenty Of GOODS
there"
lie pfocSeded 20 array himself for his ouf
uet. lie pat Ou The same hunting shirt which
n- ..oIc " hen he killed line ludlnn chief lie
Ioa .-a MS A., and girdrd on hi> Ionahn,.k
aa,. 80 pjng Bnir aud having Allied his knap
Fack wlph -a,.h articles as iie chose 10 carr,
Win BIN, AZ hu-kl-d u upon his shoulders, and
giving Il farewell glance round the cabln, he
sailed out aid took HE western road ior " is
soufi. When he mad reached Il little enuence
sonc rods distance, he was observed 10 hesi-