Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-02-24
Chased by a Catamount.

A SCENE IN THE LIFE OF A PIONEER,
j was once told thrilling adventure
of the first settlers in Paris, Maine, with
catamount. Although | cannot relate
it with that lively effect with which it
was told me, still have embodied the
facts in this sketch.
had been on a hunting excursion,
and as | was returning | fell in with
that often described parsonage, the old
est inhabitant." He kindly accosted
me, and entered gladly into conyersa-
ton wiki him.
Young ma H. said he, when | first
visited this town, there were only three
families in it. You who live i'll ease,
can nerer know the hardships and per
alous scenes through which the earlier
settlers passed Come with me- he
continued, and will show You the ex
act spot where the first hut ever erected
in this iowa was located | followed
silently until the old man reached the
bottom of the west side Of Paris Hill.
There" said be, "on this spot was
erected the hut. / shah never forget
the first time | visited it and the story
/ was told"
"What is it?' I asked.
al will tell yow. When the first set
tier moved here, his nearest neighbor
lived twenty miles distant, in the pres
ent town of Rumford, and the onl y road
between the two neighbors was a path
that he had cut himself, so that in case
of want or sickness, he might get assis-
lance. One spring, | think 1t was the
third season after he had settled here,
he was. Obliged to go to Rumford after
provisions. He arose earl v one morn
ing and started for his nearest neighbor.
People of the present day would think
it hard to make a journey Of twenty
miles for bag of potatoes, and on foot
too; but such was the errand of the first
settler. He arrived before noon, was
successful in getting his potatoes got
some refreshments and started for home.
But it was not very easy to travel with
load of potatoes; and finally, at sun
down he threw off his load, and resolv-
ed to make a shelter and spend the night,
/ have been with him to the exact To-
cality of it; it was situated just on the
other side of the stream on which are
mills in the village, now known as Pin
hook, in Woodstock. He built shell
ter struck fine, and took out of his pack
a piece of meat to roast. All .! young
man" "you little know with what relish
man eats his food in the woods But,
as l was saying, he commenced roasting
his meats, when he was startled by a
cry so shrill that he knew at once that
it could come from nothing but a cata-
mount. | will now relate it to YOU as
nesr IS can, in the language OF the
old settler himself.
~ listened a moment said he" and
it was repeated even louder, and it seem
ed nearer than before. Ny first thought
was for nv own safety. But what was
to do! 1t was at least ten miles from
my home, and there was not . single
human being nearer than that to me
In moment | concluded to start for
home, for | knew the nature of the cat
amount too we'll to tnink should stand
the least chance to escape if remained
in the camp. | knew, too that lie would
Fansack the camp, and hoped that the
meat which | iefe behind might satisfy
his appetite, so that he would not follow
ME after eating it. had not proceeded
more than half mile before knew
by the shrieks of lbe animal that he was
in sigh: of the camp. doubled my
speed content that the animal should
have my supper, although | declared l
would not have run if had had my
trusty rifle with me. But there would
lie no eowardice in my running from
an lnturiated catamount, doubly furious,
probably from being hungry, and with
nothing that could be called a weapon
save pocket knife.
| had proceeded probably about two
thirds Of the distance home, and hear