The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-05-24
too. failed to secure the coveted priz

too, failed to secure the coveted prize.
At length, toward the close of the
winter of ~, snow of unusual
depth covered the earth. followed
by moderate freeze. This was re-
garded as an suspicious time to give
chase to the strange monarch of
the woods, whose fame had now
spread through all the settlements.
along the Holston. A large band of
experienced woodsmen, all supplied
with silver bullets, was organized
for the pursuit. After spending al
most the entire day in threading the
brakes and beating the woods, the
party came together at the appointed
rendeSUOus, no trace of the White
Horn having been discovered.
Upon consultation the pursuit was
for the day abandoned, and the par
ty started in q body for their homes.
On their homeward return two of the
party separated from their compan-
ions, to 60 by spring. which was a
short distance from their direct
route. AS they approached the
spring, what was their amazement
and delight at beholdiRg the majes-
tic form of the White Horn, standing
in the very fountain head of the
spring, scarcely more than hun
dred yards distant, gazing directly
at them, yet, apparently. needless of
their approach. For a few seconds
they stood transfxed with excite
ment, and with admiration of the
beautiful animal, as, with head erect,
its single "white horn" from which
it took its name, springing from the
very center of its forehead, like a
shaft of polished ivory, and fairly
glittering in the evening sunlight.
The immobility Of the hitherto tim
orous animal excited their supersti-
ton. yet not enough to deter them
from bringing their trusty rifles to
bear upon this royal game. They
fired simultaneously, but the charmed
animal moved not. This was too
much for the nerves of even these
hardy men, who seldom missed their
mark. They were in the act of in
continently retreating but the sound
of their rifles had attracted their
comrades, who were near by, and
who were now seen approaching. AS
they came up and heard the story Of
the frightened hunters. upon consul
tation, it was decided to surround
the animal, and if possible, capture
without killing it. By degrees the
circle contracted; still there was no
movement at the spring. At length
it was discovered that the COW
eted prize stood before them lifeless,
though still erect, as if full of life.
Close examination revealed no cause
Of death, and the general conclusion
of these rude hunters was that the
beautiful White Horn, which they
pronounced of the Antelope tribe,
had died of broken heart, caused by
the invasion of it's feeding grounds,
and its frequent pursuit.
Here then, in the very head wa
tiers of the neighboring creek, had
the White Horn mysteriously died
and ever after the creek inherited
the name.
Great was the excitement through
out the settlements, when the an
nouncement went abroad that the
White Horn had at length been cap
tured. From far and near the hun
ters and their families fiocked to see
the wonderful animal, which had so
long baffied the cunning and skill of
veteran hunters, and which was be-
ginning to be regarded as divinity
of the forests, skirting the Holston
on one side, and Bays mountain on
the other. Such is the legend Of
the White Horn. ~