The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-10-27


of the Panther.
A party of eight or ten Indians, accom-.
panied by Myers, had been out two or
three days on hunting excursion, and
we're returning. laden with the spoils Of
The chase, consisting of various kinds of
wild fowl, squirrels, raccoons and buffa'
o.skins. They had used all their am
munlion except single charge, which
was reserved in the rifle Of the chief for
any emergency OF choice game which
might present itself on the way home
: A river lay in way which could be crossed
only at one point, without subjectng them
to an extra journey Of some ten miles
round. When they arrived at this point.
they suddenly came upon huge panther.
which had taken possession OF the pass
and, like skiltul general confident ofhis
strong position, seemed determined tohold
il. The party retreated little, and stood
at bay for while, and consulted what
should be done. ......
Various methods were attempted to de-
coy or frighten the creature from his po'
slion, but without success. He growled
defiance whenever they came in sight, as
much as TO say; "lf you want this strong
hold come and take i'll" The animal ap.
peared to be very powerful and ferce.--
The trembling Indians hardly dared to
come in sight Of him, and all the recon,
noiterng had to be done by Myers. The
majority were in favor of retreating as fast
as possible, and taking the long Journey
of len miles round for home; but Myers
resoluteIy resisted. He urged the chief,
whose rifle was loaded, to march up to
the panther, take good aim and shoot him
down; promising that the rest of the par
ty would back him up closely with their
knives and tomahawks in case Of miss
fire. But the chief refused; he knew too
we'll the nature ard power Of the animal.
The creature. he contended, was exceed
ingly hard to kill. Not one shot in twen-
tv, however we'll aimed, would dispatch
him; and if one shot failed. il was a sure
death to the shooter, for the iniuriated ami
ma would spring upon him in an instant
and tear him to peices. For similar rea'
sons every Indian in the party declined
TO hazard battle with the enemy in any
shape.
At last Myers. in burst of anger and
mpatience, called them all set OF COW
ards, and snatching the loaded rifle from
the hands OF the chief, to The amazemen
OF the whole party, marched deliberately
towards the panther. The Indians KEEP
at cautious distance to watch the reSul
of the fearful battle. Myers walked
steadily up 10 within about two rods Of tht
panther, keeping his eyes fixed upon him
while the eyes OF the panther flashed fire
aud his heavy growl betokened at onc'
The power and frmnesS of the animal
AT about two rods distance, Myers level
led his rife, took deliberate aim, and fired
The shot inflicted a heavy wound. but no
a fatal one and the furious animal. mad
dened with the pain. made but two leap
- before he reached his assailant. Myer
! met him with the butt end oil his rifle, AM
|. staggered him little with two or thre
ck heavy blows, but the rifle broke, and III
animal grsppled him apparently with hi
full power. The indians at once CAV
Myers up for dead, and only thought
making timely retreat for themselves.
'ss Fearful was the struggle between Myer
NJ and the panther, but the animal had tn
pl best of il at first, for they soon came
nd the ground, and Myers underneath, su
cir ering under the joint operation of shar
Ia claws and teeth, applied by the most pow
va. eriul muscles In falling, however, My
he ers. whose right hand was at liberty, ha
lge drawn long knife. As soon as the
'st came to the ground. his right arm bein
d.. tres, he made u desperate plunge at II
re. vitals of the animal, aud as his good luc
be would have it, reached his heart. III
lie loud shrieks OF the panther showed that
Of was death-wound. lie quivered col
not vusvely, shook his victim with spa
no modic leap and plunge, then loosened b
} TO hold and fell poweress by his side. M
ers, whose wounds were severe but n
yn mortal, rose to his feet, bleeding al
as much exhausted, but with life and Streng
4 to give a grand whoop, which conveys
the the news OF his victory 10 his trembliI
the Indian friends.
ers They now came up to him with shot
led ing and Joy, and SO full OF admiration tn
6as- 4hey were almost ready 10 worship hi
ef They dressed and btsssTss-up his wounc
less and were now ready to pursue their 10,
up ney home without the least impedlme
ers, Before crossing The river, however, M
ion 9rs cut off the head OF the panther, whl
and ne took home with him, and fastened 1t
nix. Oy the side Of his cabin door, where it
NAMED for years, memorial OF de
had tnat excited the admiration Of the Indie
viii in all that region. From that time TO
ted they gave Myers that name, and alwa
take called him the Panther.
up Time rollod on, and the Panther CT
} the linued to occupy his hut in the wlderne
,ow- OH the bank of the Illinois river, gel
raj favorite among the savages. and ex
cising great influence over them. AT !
the tide OF white population again ov
,eak look him. and he found himself once m
and surrounded by white neighbors. s
inoi, however. ho seemed 10th 10 iorsake
ards noble illinois. on whose banks he had b'
,e.- so long fixture, and be held on, form
ness sort Of connecting link between
bori. white settlers and me indians
hab. At length hostliiies broke out wa
alton resulted in the memorial Black Ht
rath. war, that spread desoiatlon 'nfoue"
,es a. part OF the couatry. Parties OF lndi
> and committed the most wanton and G.
o,.,h danradations often mufdeIinu old irie