The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-12-30
Capture of a Huge Panther.

On the 22d ult., Mr. Samuel p. Hart.
of Appleton, went out with a neighbor to
look for stray colt, taking with him his
trusty + fie for the purpose of killing any
wild game he might chance to see. After
travelling some two miles or more, he
came upon the fresh tracks of some wild
animal, and as the tracks were large and
singular be gave up looking for the pony
and with his exeell Mt dog tramped off
in search of an adventure. In short time
the dog treed the game. but before Hart
could reach the spot they were off again.
Pretty soon, however, they stopped, and
when Hart came up the dog had huge
panther, one of the largest ever heerh of
In the West, at bay, aud neither of them
seemed disposed at once to commence the
Ii struggle they knew was at hand.
| There was an unlocked for encounter, o
kind of game few men care te hunt for.
here was no time for ds'iberation. Re
Ia.reat might be certain death, and to fire
aud not kill the huge monster would be
attended With even greater hazard
The dog had shown fight, but the sudden
appearance of Mr.. Hart seemed to throw
the panther into a quandary whether to
attack him or the dog just as the pam
ther was apparently about to spring for
the dog, Hart drew his gun to his shout
der and fired, only wounding tho animal
| by breaking one of its fore shoulders To
say that Hart was not now alarmed at his
own situation would be true, for the rea-
son that he did not stop to think, but
loaded that gun in quicker time than he
ever loaded one before, and before the
pow infuriated beast could make spring
1 for him he again fired, shooting him
through the head, and killing him in
stautly 7a-
ie The panther wss brought to town and
exhibited to large crowds, exciting uni
versal surprise at his size and evident
age, the more especially al but one Of the
/ specie has been seen in this part of Wiscon-
sin within period ofzeleven years. From
! the end of his nose to the tip of his tail,
this panther measured seven feet and two
inches. Each of his paws was consider
bly, thicker than stout mans arms, and
appeared to be capable of striking sledge
hammer blow. Two of his tusks, one OF
the upper and the other of the lower jaw,
were broken off, and had apparently been
gone for several years Tie other TIVE
tusks were very large but much worm
All unite in setting him down as one oi
the oldest settlers in the northern wilder
ness, and 3e thiuk it probable that he
strayed from scrne of the extreme north
'ern couutie into this locality. - -
o. After giving ample opportunity for al
to see him, some Of our citizens got up Z
small purse and presented it to Mr.. Hart
aud he gave tue carcass to the Lawrence
University and it has been very hand
somely stuffed and dressed by Prof Ma
son and DR. Beach, and added to the many
attractions to.be found in its Cabinet o
Curiosities.
Whether.tbis is the last of his race,
savage wanderer for twenty five or tbirt.
years amid the dense forests that skir
Lake Superior; or whether q few more arr
hid away in those trackless wilds, far from
the hunters path, Is for the future TO do
termine.-Applston Crescent. ai