New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-05-02
a HUNTING ADVENTURE
How the Last Panther in Pike
County was Killed.

Although l mad Tor several seasons VS.
tied the baekwoods of Pike county, Penn
sylvania Ia section now famous among
sportsmen). it was not until last season
that l met one of the most celebrated
characters of the region-Ed Quick, the
bear-killer.' The rocky Businesses and
impenetrable swamps and jungles of Pike
county still contain many black bears;
e but it is the attractions of the deer-chass
that take hundreds of sportsmen annually
thither, it bling only the accidental meet
ing Of Bruin that adds zest to their stay
in the woods. But Ed Quick is and has
been for fifty years a systematic bear
hunter. The deer-chase has no pleasure
= for him. His dogs are trained only to
follow the trail of the bear, and once on
the track of his favorite game there is no
''let up" to either hunter or hound until
the shaggy monster falls victim to their
relentless pursuit. Quick has slain over
q thousand bears. Thus much l know
from local hunters
About the close of the deer season last
year 1 stopped at Nose Westbrooks
famous sportmen's tavern, in Blooming
Grove, one night. The bar-room, lighted
up by the blazing hickory logs in the
broad fireplace, contained a number of
hunters and trappers who had assem- led
from different parts of the region to inter-
change stories of their adventures during
the season. Near the fireplace sat tall,
spare man, with a very red, sharp face,
long, thin red nose and very small eyes,
the lids of which were painfully red
around the edges. Surmounting his head
was tall bear-skin cap, made in shape of
9 spirit lamp extinguisher. 1t was drawn
down to the mans eyes, and gave me the
impression that the fiery features below
we're in danger of momentary spontaneous
combustion, and that the cap was kept in
readiness to extinguish at once the con-
dagration. felt that the man was the
noted bear-killer. After few minutes
drew chair near TO where he sat, and
asked:
sis your name Quick"
He looked at me without moving a
muscle, and replied, with an indescriba-
bic drawl:
''W-a-a-l, y-a-a-s.
The other inmates Of the room ceased
talking. There was a moment of embar-
RAISING silence, which Iventured to break
with the inquiry:
ed Quick, the bear-killer?"
tW-a-a-l, y-a-a-s.
A very audible ripple of laughter now
aSitated the backwoods auditors to the
brief colloquy, and one of them re-
marked:
al reckon he'll hef to wet the ole mans
whistle fore he gets anything out o
him.
There was no need of kick; the hint
was sufficient.
"WiIl you take something, Mr.. Quiek2"
Instantly the cap was pushed back on
the head Of ths hunter. There was a
pleased expression on his face.
s'W-a-a-l, y-a-a-s, " he said, and walked
to the bar. ''Gimme some applejack."
After drinking he resumed his seat,
and said:
ssW-a-al, y-a-a-s, stranger, spose
hev killed few bar. Bleye it or not,
I've put the slugs inter more n thousan
Of EN-. I'm by sixty var old, an I've
tramped the woods frem the Delywar' to
Sisky hammer for nigh onto fifty. They
used to be game In these woods, they did.
/ killed ten bar an pantr fore were
ten year old, an I've killed high as fifty
bar in one year. An deeIl I've knowed
twelve deer hing up in one day within
two mile O. this spoil But they amt
nothin' h'yex any more. Do my best I've
4A111T HAAAAnclA 1ONAA ~ tAA AllAa Which, AMAL-
~ an forty year agol Them was the
days. They were music in the woods,
then, boysl W-a-al, y-a-a-s"
The bear-skin cap had worked itself
back to is old position on the hunters
waiting q few minutes thought TO start
him again.
ssYou must have had many thrilling
adyeasus PES during your long life in the
woods, Mr.. Quick2"
s'W-a-a-l, y-a-a,s.
won't you take something. Mr..
czak4
..W-a-a-I. y-a-a-s Gimme some apple
iack
again the huge cap sat back on the
Aear- killers head, and his vocal organs
ware enea mors lubricat8d
tN-asar4 y.a-a-e, young man; ! spose
I've he'd some tob'blo tough times in my
day. Forty yeata ago they vero no eend
~ the paut7z e1tamquule and WOlia IL
these parts. %, guess I done ny part e.
elsanin' Of EN- out killed the last
fent'F { ever Has seen IA these h'ye1
Woods. 81 fbat 81 NE The eluasast call
efaK bad carry little menmyrander
& z4si Eialnidge right with ne.
Iz1afiaa aaITE onen "a the 1af and ox-
ea BIZ chest 3l4 eM Aal ycul
4 A EpaE ga e4lepacd dia4
m hag RQna tQ no lower
00N ~ Fvare
xsA ave Y1a&
sHANN t'qi4aH
&qe Hglo M asnala