New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-03-07
Desperate Fight with a Panther,

The Helena Ark Shield publishes the fol-
lowing. and vouches for its truth:
Mr.. EDrroR-Famous as Arkansas is for all
that is marvellous; for its wild man of huge
dimensions its Pete Wholesome tales of Big
Bear" and other tales equally wonderous Yet
doubt if there has ever been recorded an Incl.
dent more remarkable than fight that occurred
on the 10th Of February, upon Beaver Bayou,
in this county, phillips, Ark between Mr..
Joseph Grimes and large panther | will
give you the particulars, as they actually &C.
CURED, in an unvarnished tale.
On the 10th, Mr.. Grimes had left his house
during the deep snow that then lay on the
ground, to procure some fire wood in the adjoin-
ing forest; leaving in the house sick child, his
wife, and her mother Attracted by the crying
of the child ut is supposedly large and fierce
panther approached the door of the house. The
Initiative notes of child crying drew to the
door Mrs. Grimes, most fortunately, for already
was the nose Of the fierce intruder thrust within
the door. By an effort, she succeeded in closing
The door and shutting out the panther. Ar
alarm was then given by the ladies, which drew
to the house Mr.. Grimes, supposing his child to
be i'll; and little dreaming by how fierce an
enemy his cabin was besieged.
Judge, then, of his surprise upon seeing cool
~ seated upon the step of his door huge pam
Their. Undaunted and fred with fierce resolve,
Mr.. Grimes still advanced. and attempted TO
get possession of his gun, which Mrs Grimes
had, opening the back door, brought around to
him; crouching, with tail switching and eyes
fercely glaring, the panther watched every
movement of Mr.. Grimes AT the very moment
that Mr.. G. grasped his gun, and before he
could use il, the panther made spring at his
throat. With great presence of mind, and al
most miraculously, Mr.. G. grasped the monster
by the throat Life was now at stake and long
and bloody was the fight The panther had
now the left arm of Mr.. G. in his mouth, and
victory seemed to be with him. Every muscle
Of Mr.. G. was now called into action ant
strained to its utmost; a long struggle ensued
the panther was thrown, and by placing hi
knee on its neck and still retaining the gras,
he had on its throat, he succeeded in releasing
from the jaws of the panther his left arm The,
again rose from the ground, Mr.. G. never aban
doning his vice like hold of its throat, had nov
both of its fore1egs grasped in his left hand; h,
thus kept it at arms length and prevented il
from tearing him with its claws
Victory was not yet with Mr.. G., and he still
might have met with a Waterloo defeat, had MOI
the ladies, Blueher-like, come up with rein,
forcements.
A pair of tongs and " battling stick wer,
brought to bear upon the panther. One blow Of
the tongs sent down his throat several teeth :
for 80 tight was the grasp of Mr. G. that the
animals jaws were forced wide open. The he
ro1nes IN TINS light Mrs. It. and her mother)
continued belaboring the panther until blow
broke it down in the loins. Mr.. G. kept his
hold until the panther breathed his last-and
firmly believes that he choked the panther tc
death. notwithstanding the aid given him by the
ladies. When captured it measured 81 fee
from the tip Of the nose to the end of its tail Tt
skin now hangs on the outer side of his cabin,
trophy Of a hard and bloody fight.
Mr.. Grimes is now much injured So stiff il
he in every muscle from his great exertions, tha
he is unable to get about One arm is muol
swollen and badly sprained, the other pierced il
several places by the teeth of the panther Tn
scars of this fight he will bear with him to tn
grave, if it does not become necessary to ampu
tate his arm
This, Mr.. Editor, you may rely upon as trut
statement of all the facts connected with thi.
remarkable fight.
Truly has old Phillips heroines as we'll as he.
roes within her borders BEAVER Bayou.
February IA, 1868