, 1875-12-30
A PANTHER HUNT.

A PANTHER HUNT.
Last Friday, as Mr.. 81. N. Fits. Of
West Wardsboro, and Mr.. s. S. Perry
were going to their work, blasting lime
rock from ledge situated in the edge
of Stratton. they noticed the tracks Of
wild animal. Supposing they belong
ed to bear they concluded TO follow
them for short distance to satisfy their
curiosity. These soon led into q piece
of woods, about mile southwest of the
village of West Wardsboro. Hele Mr..
Fits and companian abandoned their
search. intending to secure help and
follow it up the next morning. Satur-
day morning the hunters. about sixteen
in all, armed with rifles, shot-guns and
revolvers, and accompanied by several
dogs, started for the animal. They first
passed around the woods to make sure
that the supposed bear had not left his
lair, and then the whole place was sur
rounded by chain of armed men. to
prevent his escape if he should make a
break for the mountains.
Twelve of the hunters were thus ar
ranged, while Messrs. Pitts, Perry and
H. B. johnson, with two boys and four
dogs, entered the woods to stir up the
beast. The dogs were kept back by
ropes until the proper time and place
should be reached, and the hunt COM
menced. The trail of tho previous
evening was soon struck, and in a few
moments they came upon the half de-
voured remains of a hedgehog. The
bed where some large animal had lain
the night before was discovered, and
fresh tracks were apparent on all sides.
The uneasiness Of the dogs as they
struggled to free themselves from their
leashes also made evident the near pres
ence of the game. When they we're loos-
ed they darted through the brush yelp-
ing and barking, while the hunters fol-
lowed on as fast as possible. Soon the
barking ceased and the animals rushed
hither and .hither hunting for the trail,
evidently at loss. Mr.. Perry. howev-
er, who was armed with shot gun
doubly loaded with shot and ball, dis
covered dark-looking object in the top
of tall hemlock.
Without moments warning be rails
ed his gun and fired and the dark OBJ
ject came tumbling to the ground. dis
closing to the eyes of the astonished
hunters rrgular American panther. Al
though shot through the breast and with
one of his fore legs broken by the fall.
the magnificent animal was disabled but
not conquered and as the dogs attacked
him clearing himself with his uninjured
paw, he leaped into the air over the
heads Of the men, and landed in a thick
et dozen or fifteen fee. away. The dogs
however, were gritty and terribly in ear
nest, and when he leaped again he car
ried one of them with him clinging to
his flank. He attempted to climb G tree,
but this, in his disabled condition, was
impossible, SO, dropping to the ground
he made dash for clump of dead tree
tops. few rods distant. Away went the
panther and the dogs. scratching, snar-
ling, and yelping, while the men follow
ed close behind urging on the dogs.
Hitherto the demonstrations of the
hunters had been more noisy than effec-
tive, but as the panther was disappear
ing in thicket of spruce trees. john
son seized him by the tail and called on
Perry for help in making the capture,
Perry Loyalty responded, but just as he
had got a goood hold the beast gave a
leap, and carrying both of the men with
bin, and for few moments nrial navi-
cation was nowhere. The panther went
over tree-top, but the men remained
on the other side. still clinging to his
tail. He tried to turn and fight them,
but the dogs were on hand. Just at
this moment johnson bethought him>
self of his revolver. and five pistol bull
lets were lodged in his head. Still the
fight continued. and Mr.. Fits, who had
not been an idle spectator, managed to
fasten a rope around the panther's leg.
and fasten him to q tree. Shot guns and
pistols were empty, but the panther.
though weakened, refused to die, aud
the life of the liking of the American
forests" was brought to an ignominous
close by the use of pocket knife and
cudgel.
He measured seven feet from tip to
tip and weighed los pounds. Three toes
were gone from one of his fore feet,
seeming to evince an intimate acquain>
tance with o steel trap sometime in the
past. Hunters and dogs escaped un>
hurt-a fact probably due to the severe
injuries sustained by the animal in the
early part of the fight. The carcass was
borne in triumph to the village and ex-
hibited to the wondering eyes of the in-
habitants.- .-Rmland, Vermont, Herald.
T At a Kentucky dinner, and be-
tween the sherry and champagne, to
which time the ''enfant terrible of the
family had unfortunately been permit
ed to linger, the host had gone to prais-
ing his own wine in fashion which
was certainly an evidence of its intoxi-
eating qualities: "That sherry. sir, cost
me $50 dozen. bought it at the auc-
ton of the Emperor Napoleon's wines.
and imported it myself" "Why, papa, "
interrupted the 'enfant," ''that was all