Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-03-16
appeared TO have been, before money oauted
them to seek their scalps."

EANlhhAot
Dr.. Brainard also relates a couple Of In
odents Of narrow escapes from the feFocity
Of Pantbers, rs follows:
"On certain time, two men penetrated
far into the woods with their guns and
compass, both for the purpose Of discover
ing choice tracts Of land and for killing game.
After having camped out one night, and tho
weather becoming rainy and unpleasant,
they resolved on returning, and being di.
rected by iheircompass in their course home
travelled till about the middle Of the aftor-
noon, when one lost his confidence in that
power that guided Columbus, under Provi-
dence, across the Atanticto the New World.
He said that thee needle pointed wrong,
and that be would no olongcr follow il, while
the other retained his faith. The conse-
quence was they separated. each took his
way, o1e as his Judgment the other as his
compass directed-the latter reached the
settlement about dark, the former not till
the next evening. The account of his nights
lodging and by the proofs he bad TO offer,
was perilous in the extreme. Having tra-
veled, as he stated, till darkness overlook
him, and it still continuing to rain so that
he could not strike up fire, he took shelter
under tho body of large tree (near the root,)
that had blown down, and then con-
cluded to lie upon his arms till morning
As be Judged, about midnight, he heard
low growing and screeching near, or in the
top Of the tree which sheltered him. Rais-
ing himself carefully and cautiously, he
looked along the body Of the tree in that di-
rection, when to his astonshment and some
alarm, be saw two shining balls, as it were
of fire, cleaning and scintillating in the
profound darkness. Being convinced they
were eyes of some ravenous animal, he re-
solved to aim his trusty rife between them.
Hardly sooner thought than done, and be
had the satisfaction of hearing the anima!
fall off upon the ground. Notime however,
he thought, was to be lost in re-loading, to
meet another exigency, should it occur
Seating himself as before secure from the
rain, he was soon prepared for another shot.
In something less than an hour, he judged,
be heard q similar noise, but in higher tones,
near the same spot. Rising as before, he
discovered the same, or precisely similar
garing eyes, but more in motion than the
former, yet watching his opportunity when
they were most fixed, aimed between them,
aud let his rife again speak. The result
was as before, a crash from the log to the
ground. All then was quiet during the
balance of the night, yet the gun was re-
loaded for a third adventure. As soon as
it was fair daylight, he advanced to the top
of the tree from whence the noise had pro-
ceeded, and where he had seen the singu-
lar appearance of shining balls, whose lights
his faithful gun had extinguished, we may
imagine MS JOY and surprise, when he dis
covered two large panthers, one on each
side of the tree. A few feet further under
the top were found three young kittens, (if
they be so called,) nestled together in a vc-
nv comfortable condition. His first task
then, was to take off the hides of the par
ents; that done, he took the little fellows,
wrapped them in bis coat, to complete the
trophies of his victory. The early sun di-
rected Alright his way to the Sandusky river,
which after several hours travelling he reach
4 ed, thence followed its downward course 10
the village. None could doubt, from the
evidence he produced, that all the facts he
stated were literally true, and he with gen
eral appreciation acquired the appelation Of
Panther Killer
"From this time for years, there was great
fear of this animal, though he was seldom
seen. People who went far into the woods
were generally on the sharp look out, and
there were occasionly some killed, aud that
too, when they appeared about to spring
f upon the hunter. They always appeared
, hold and undaunted. Some of their acts
? appear to have equaled those of the tiger, in
t their peculiar sphere, and l trust shall
D not be under the imputation of pseudogra-
] ply, when relate one very alarming Incl
0 dent: A young farmer having wife, ant
K but one child Of little over year old haC
= selected what he thought a choice and fer
4 tile spot for farm, in the centre of dense
d woods, and by a durable crystalstream bull
e snug cabin, made an acre or so Of open
t ing, and in addition erected a high doc
r yard fence for security from attacks G
k beasts, then in the month of June move,
if his little family to his truly rural and re
w mantle home. The minds of the happ
ct pair having been well assimilated, as we
er as their hearts beating in unison, they wer
d, well prepared to occupy this isolated situi
n ton. The woods, leaves and flowers a
~ wore a charm, and their spirits were buoy
er ant and active in this apparent seclusio
ST. from the world. The husband having lai
in in stock Of provisions, and other necess
es ries, to last for several months, he had r
IN occasion to 60 to the settlement but could
It, vote his time to improving his little clea
ut ing and planting it with corn, DC, viii
be his fond companion attended To her few d
I'd mestic affairs, and watched with mother
in love their infant daughter, the JOY, prid
he and hope Of their future years. While
Y, these peaceful and happy employments,
m, an afternoon when the suns rays were sin
nd ing below the tops of the majestic tret
Ter checkering and streaking the little doc
Sc, yard with golden hues, the little daught
nt- had been permitted to have her play am
I'd, the scattered rays, and some wild flowers
sp- full bloom, but a little distance from Il
ad door. While supper was being prepar
not by the affectiohate mother, her ears we
suddenly panied by most fearful screa
-. of her child. Quick MS thought she spra
'"S to the door. Heavens what were her en-
W tions when she beheld her child in P,
a