Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-01-30
[FIom The Clinton Democrat J
PANTHER HUNT.

Some weeks ago Us Mr.. Samuel Snyder, OF
Hnsr's Run, was travelling through the
woods in search OF deer, be came upon the
remnants OF one, nothing being left but the
head and part OF the gammoIs: he came TO
the conclusion that 1t had been killed and
devUurod by pdHther. Searching around,
he found several tracks, but there being no
snow on the ground he could not properly
ludentfy then. Not being satisfied, the last
snow that fell, he started up the Run, some
half mile above the mill, where he discovered
the truck in the snow, and being an old hun
ter, he immediately recognized them as that
OF a panther. lie returned to the mill and
solicited several Of his companions to accom-
pauy him they either disbelieving or being
AFRAID would not consent to go with him.
But our gallant hunter was not 10 be intiml-
dated he Immediately resolved to follow his
partnership and capture him If possible.
Having procured several dogs and filled his
knapsack with provisions sufficient to last
some eight days, he started in pursuit. trav.
cling on the trail, be had not gone but ol 4
mile before lie discovered a fox lying directly
on the trail On examination he found that
his partnership had given him but ose blow
with his huge paw aud left him in pursuit Of
better game. lie had not proceeded far
until the dogs commenced whining, and he
found il impossible TO keep them near him.
Slill following on the trail aud being satisfied
that he was not far off, he discovered large
buck, (which Mr.. Snyder says was the largest
lie ever saw freshly killed with the entrals
torn out. On examination, the distance that
he sprang to alight on his prey, was &c feet.
While Mr.. Snyder was examining the remains
OF the deer he heard the dogs bark. On
looking 10 the direction, he saw the panther
going down the hill, the dogs being in hot
pursuit. lie did not 60 fer before ho took 70
large hemlock. Mr.. Snyder was not long
in finding out his whereabouts, and having
had considerable experience in hunting, con-
clGded that prudence was the better part of
vaior, took the tomahawk from his belt and
laid it close by his side, and then examined
his trusty rifle, to find that all was right
! Putting the rifle to his face be aimed TO
break his back, that being the ouly part
visible, but the bullet merely went through
| the skin. lie made Que leap and lit some
| eight feet above the grouhd, on the main
| trunk of the tree, his claws sinking deep into
| the bark. During this time he succeeded in
re-loading, when he brought to bear upon
him, and shot him through the neck, which
brought him to the ground. The dogs re-
sumed the attack, aud one not having suf.
cielH precaution closed in with him, when he
received blow which sent him home with
his tail between his legs. However, the
other one continued barking whilst Snyder
was busily re-!oading his gun, after which he
succeeded in getting within some ten feet of
him and shot his highness through the head
Mr.. Snyder is one Of our most successful
hunters, having during the present fall killed
I foxes, IA deer, aud otter measuring feet
I inches. He says he was not frightened
until he saw the carcass on the ground. He
then felt shudder pass over him which he
seldom experiences. He returned TO his
home and procured the assistance of his
comrades. aud brought the panther to the
camp. His weight was 2ll pounds, the skin
measuring 8 feet inches from the tip of the
nose 10 the emo Of the tail.
The Vie Of a painter in Syracuse died the
other day. Among the sympathyzing friends
was young lady from Aubdrn, u stranger to
him The sympathy of this young lady made
such an Impression upon the heart-broken
| husband that the next day after the funeral,
J be ccnsoied himself by taking her to bis arms.