Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-09-10
The Panther FOiled.
MARROW ESCAPE OF AN OLD HUNTER


Old Ben Wheaton, who lived in Brier
Valley, about two miles from the Susque-
hannah river, was an inveterate lover Of
forrest sports. He like most of the early
settlers of Otsego, had selected a farm from
the hill lands, leaving the broad swamp
flats for hunting grounds. His shanty was
erected on a small stream in Brier Valley,
which is now called after his name, Whea-
ton Creek. The most of his time was ex-
pended in journeys through the forest, fire.
quently in company with far famed Mo-
hawk Indian, named Antoine; but some
times Ben loved to pursue his sports with
out companion. And well he mig ght, for
he did not need a guide. Every nook,
dell, crevice and cave, from the Otsego lake
to the mouth of the Delaware river, was
familiar to Ben Wheaton, and he had Of
ten pursued his game to almost every
part of that country. He chiefly hunted
the wolf, as well for profit as for sport, for
government paid silver dollar in the shape
of a bounty, on every skin.
Bent upon increasing his store of coin,
old Ben, one fine summer morning shoul-
dered his rifle, and taking his knapsack,
containing a sufficient supply of corn-cake
and dried venison, he crossed the Susque-
hannah, and took his way towards Frank
lin Mountain, which lies between the vii
liges of Otsego and Franklin.
The dsy was sultry, and by the time he
had accomplished one half the ascent of
the Mountain, he concluded that he need
ed rest. He therefore took seat upon
a moss-covered log, near spring and ate
his luncheon. The still solitude, the balmy
air, together with the singing of birds and
the law hum of the bee, finally lulled the
hunter to repose. He must have slept long;
for when he awoke the sun was declining
far westward, and a few ripples of golden
light fingered on the tree tops, which he
first noted after clearing a mass Of dry
leaves from his face which be thought had
blown there; but in attempting to rise,
however, he discovered himself completely
buried in them. &
Now, it is notorious fact that panthers
will cover sleeping or dead body, and
leave it for time, but only eventually to
return and devour it. The instant Ben
awoke, therefore, the truth flashed upon
his mind that panther had found and
concealed him, and that the beast might
at that moment be watching him, ready to
make the fearful spring. He arose quick
ly seized his rife, that rested against tree,
and hastily throwing together some large
pieces of decayed wood, and covering them
with leaves, he climbed tree and waited
patiently the panther's coming. He had
not to wait long. Presently he saw it-a
she one-stealing along with cat-like tread,
and with two cubs behind her, which she
hid in some brushwood. Dropping herself
on the ground, she crept slowly towards
her expected prey, lashing the earth with
her tail, and her eyes glowing like GOALS of
fire. The appearance of things however,
did not seem to satisfy her, but she sprang
up, elevated her back and threw herself up
on her supposed victim with wild yell.
The wood and leaves flew about in every
direction, and for moment the panther
seemed palsied by rage. Suddenly she leap.
ed aside, dropt her tail, and peeped around
among the brushwood and raising her eyes
upwards, Fairly emitting sparks of fire in
her anger she encountered the hunters
gaze fixed upon her. With another screech
more terrible than the first, she prepared
to spring upon him, when with an aim that
seldom failed, old Ben fired, and she fell,
tearing the earth with her claws. The shot
was fatal.
Our adventurous hunter reloded the
empty barrel, and waited for her compan-
ions to come up but none arrived, SO he
killed the cubs and built fire This was
a necessary proceeding, for the sun had set,
and the darkening shadows of night were
creeping into the landscape. With true
backwood's audacity, he replied upon his
fire for protection from further quadruped-
al providers, and stretched himself, with his
feet to the burning wood, on the leaves
that had before covered him, he resigned
himself TO the arms of Morpheus. He Of
ten afterwards characterised the escape as
the narrowest one he had ever experienced.
NJ 7. Sunday Times.