Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-14
The Mountain Hunter.

N0ASAAsO DVAAyS SVA~@AAvNAy SesAS>s
Felty. and Mollie. his wife, came to
Western Pennsylvania ct the time Of
tho Revolutionary war. They were
both Hsytiens. and both belonged to
the British army. Derry, with his
wife, deserted and joined the American
side and were under Gen Morgan. A.
ter the Declaration Of Independence,
Derry and his wife found their way
over the mountains and settled in
Georges Township, Fayette county, Pa. +,
took up small tract of land at the foot
of the mountains, about half mile
south of where old Pine Grove Forge
used to stand. After building cabin.
Derry employed his after life exclu-
sively in hunting deer and bear, in
which he was remarkably successful.
The deer and bear were plenty, and he
never went out without capturing Just
what he wanted.
It was thought by many persons that
he was q wizard, and could charm the
deer. He sometimes used certain in
gredient that he rubbed on his mecca
sins and leggings. He would then
make circuit where deer were plenty,
and take his position some twenty. ave
or thirty steps at either side. In q
short time he would see buck coming
on slow trot. When at q proper range
he would bleat, the deer would stop,
and he was always sure of his meat. II
he wanted another one he never had to
walt long. He once tracked an old she
bear, that had cubs, in the rocks. A.
ter some deliberation he concluded to
crawl in and shoot her in the den. She
met him half way at narrow passage.
He lying down, and she coming out,
fastened on him and commenced eating
her way out but before she had done
any more damage than tearing the seat
out Of his leather breeches, be got his
hunting knife out of his scabbara that
was at his side, and plunged it into
her, behind the fore shoulder, and she
lay on him lifeless bear.
Salt was scarce, and they had to jerk
the venisons. This was done by out
ting the meat off the bones in small
pieces, and stringing them on strings.
They always used the sinews of the
hind and fore legs for that purpose.
They would have slow Gre to dry the
meat. Derry always tanned his own
hides. He said the brains of any ami
NAL would tan its own hide. At the
death of old Felty his mantle fell upon
his son Boltzer, who had been as sue
cessful hunter as his father, and is
now living in the same cabin, ninety
three years old. On the first of June
the hunting time expired. The deer
then lost their horns. Strange to say,
they lose their horns every year. At
two years old they are called spike
bucks: at three years old, two prong ;
and they get a prong every year on the
new horn.
No dog or wolf can scent fawn
while the sprouts are on them. During
this interval che Derrys employed
themselves in catching trout in the
mountain streams, and these fried in
bears oil made most delicious meal.
This hunter had wife and child who
shared with him LIES cares and bur-
dens. This hunters wife had land who
has not) q history. She was famous,
not only in the neighborhood, but in
places more remote, as "For, une
Teller" Young men and maidens and
those OF more mature age and wisdom
visited her mountain home in the hopes
of hearing Of something that would
help them for either ,oeal or ,coe.
Was anything lost or stolen, whether
horse or COW, pocket-book, money, Jew
els, silver spoons. or any other thing of
real or imaginary value, the powers of
this celebrated fortune-teller, having
the well-known name of Mou Derry.
were frequently called into requisition.
Many and miraculous were the stories
treasured in the memory of the Oldest
inhabitants, and related for firesids en-
tertainment, of her actually telling.
without any hint, the article lost, when
and where it would be found, and if
stolen, the description of the thief,
whether male or female. Certain it is,
if character be o test of truth, tradition
has awarded to Moll Derry tho title at
least of being q remarkably good
guesser. Her invariable dress was .
short gown and petticoat, fabricated
from the raw material. and from her
own hand. Her method of unfolding
the future destiny of her votaries was
done through the simple medium Of
coffee.
The parties seeking their fortunes
had to take with them, in addition to
money, q certain portion Of the article
first mentioned. This was prepared in
the usual way, care being taken that it
should be strong, and that q goodly
quantity Of the sediment or grounds
should adhere to the sides and bottom
OF the cup. After the liquid had been
leisurely slipped, Moll, during the sip
ping operation, would closely scan the
visage of her subject, creating the i'm.
preston that she was then in search
after coming revelations. The cup be-
ing placed in the left hand of the seek
er, bottom upwards, and the subject
required to turn the cup three times,
being careful to turn the cup toward
the seeker. Moll would then take the
cup, and by the grounds that adhered
to the sides and bottom. read of the
seekers fortune. It was thought by
many that Moll had intimate dealings
with the devil. As far as known, she
harmed no one, and if she got her
money and her coffee, she was always
contented.
RELATIONS BETWEEN MORALS AND