Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-10
AN EXCITING PANTHER HUNT IN
THE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA.

IL may not generally De kuo"n Iht'U UnaU
part of the State of Virginia where the
counties of Shenandoah, Hardy and
Pendleton Join, is as wild as any other
part of the territory of the United States,
and Astounding in most kinds of game
The waters of Cedar Greek, wild and
romantic stream wash the base of the tall
ridges which rear their frowning SUBMITS
of rock far overhead, altogether presen-
ting as primitive an appearance as can
well be imagined The persons alluded
to in the annexed sketch are residents of
Shenandoah county, on the road from
Capon Springs to Strasburg. Mr.. Adam
Rudolph, who was the principal actor in
the incidents related below, lives on &C.
dar Creek, about sixty years of age, but
shows no mark that time has weakened
his abilities to Chamber over the hills or
surmounted the crags of Cedar Creek
Tall and erect in his carriage, with the
eye of an eagle, an indomitable will and
great energy Of character, he would have
made q formidable foeman to the Indian,
had his lot been cast on the frontier.-
He, however, dispenses the favors Of
genuine Virginia hospitality to those who
may be thrown in his way, and friend
of gun or rod is always sure to find a
hearty welcome.
A short time since, the inmates of a
dwelling not far from Cedar Creek, at
night, were startled by the attempts of
large animal to get into the house. A
sick lady, infant and nurse occupied
room on the first floor. A brother and
sister occupied the apartments above, and
thn hui oh In
latcness of the hour the entire household
was asleep. The lady awakened by hear
ing something at the window, and turn
ing towards it, in the full light Of the
moon she saw the head OF an animal at
pane Of glass, which was instantly bro
ken, and large round head thrust through
the opening-the sash bent and seemed
as if it would give way Her screams
aroused the house and brought her bro
Their into the room, when the animal with
difficulty withdrew his head. An effort
was made to pursue it, but the only dog
on tho premises refused to leave the
house, his instinct probably telling him
there was danger.
The next morning the circumstances
became known to the neighbors, and as
the ground was covered with snow so that
the beast might be easily tracked, it was
determined to hunt him up. Accordingly,
Mr.. Rudolph and two of his nephcws
started on the trail, and followed the
tracks up the sleeps to Paddy Mountain,
ches deep. All that day and the follow
ing day, until near night, were consumed
in the hunt, when the track ended at a
den, Having succeeded thus far they
concluded to go home and make the eff
fort to get him out the next morning.
On the following morning, some two
hours before day, accompanied by their
trusty dogs they retraced their steps, and
after u long and laborious walk, arrived
at the den, only to find to their great
modification that the animal had left his
retreat and gone farther, They, however,
again followed the track, keeping the
dogs backs so as not to destroy the foot
prints by running over them. In short
time they came across the carcas of
deer which had been recently killed and
nearly devoured; from this they Judged
they were close upon him. The route
now was on the very summit of Paddy
Mountain, along which they plodded
through the deep snow, until near the
setting of the sun, when they had the
satisfaction to find the game had again
taken to den.
Darkness in an hour would overShad-
ow them, so that there was but little time
to spare for consultation. Surprising the
animal to be bear, they cautiously made
reconnoiter, each with his rifle on his
shoulder, ready to shoot him if he
should come out, which the bear invaria-
bly, does, if he hears a noise outside of
his den. But as there was no appearance
of his coming out, they drew closer and
examined the entrance, which was hole
nearly perpendicular, about six feet deep,
with masses of shelving rock round it,
While they were doing this, one of the
dogs ran upon the fiat rock which crown
ed the den andplacing his nose to small
rent, gave unmistakable evidence by
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