Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-01-07
How a Panther was Trapped.

A correspondent writes from Remsen
to the Utica On. W Observer as follows:
Interesting narratives of adventures
with wild beasts remind me of an event
of thrilling local interest, which occur
red in this town over forty years ago. A
woodman named Hover, while out on a
fishing excursion on the "Little Wood
hull, " at a point not far from the pres
ent site of Port Woodruff, was Weakened
from sound sleep by visit from pan
ther, which he discovered standing on a
log but a few feet from him. On being
discovered, the panther, to Hover's great
relief, leaped to the ground on the OPP
posite side of the log instead of bouncing
on his helpless victim. The animal
prowled around during the remainder
of the night in dangerous proximity.
The following day Hover called on VIM.
II. Thomas, then famous bear trapper,
and who possessed kit of suitable
tools for that purpose. He at once re-
paired to the scene of Hover's adven.
ture, where, after due reconnaissance, he
set some of his trusted traps, and on
his return requested the occupant of the
furthest outpost in that direction to
watch and report.
In day or two word came by an al
most breathless messenger that the fe.
line was in the trap. 1t required but
brief notice to arouse the neighborhood,
and at once a crowd of men and boys
started, with suitable appliances, deter
mined to secure the prize alive, if posi-.
BILE, though well aware of the hazard OF
such an undertaking. Upon arrival,
sure enough, they found panther Of
extraordinary size. A heavy log chain
was fastened to the trap, to which was
attached large clog, which operated
as an impeachment difficult to drag among
roots and other entanglements of the
forest. The powerful animal had,
however, owing to great muscular
strength, made considerable pro-
gress. He was discovered at spot
where the clog had caught among
the lirmer roots. AS they approached,
his demonstrations of rage were fright
full. A council was held rs to the mode
of procedure, resulting in the plan of
attaching another trap to the end of a
pole, into the open jaw of which he at
once thrust a fore paw when within
reach, and in that position the applica-
ton of sufficient force stretched the ami
NAL at full length. They then placed
poles on the body in the form of skids,
upon which heavy logs were rolled,
thus prostrating him helpless to the
ground.
His formidable paws were both en-
cased in leather and tied, his head
dashed in a strong sack, his legs fas-
tened together and swung over poles,
and he was safely carried to Mr.. Hover's
yard, the party frequently relieving each
other on the long and tedious journey.
At Mr.. Hover's strong log pen was
erected, wherein the panther was fin
ally lodged, and this pen at once be.
came the center of attraction. Men and
women, girls and boys, were in daily at
tendance with the quota of food. Some
brought woodchucks and squirrels, 9th
ers surplus cats and poultry, that they
might witness his devouring propensity
| have not yet forgotten the animals
display of muscle. lie would place his
forepaws at opposite eXtremities, and
without any apparent effort, tear the
object asunder, carefully licking up al
the blood and at leisure devouring the
substance. But at last the excitement
died away, indifference and neglect fol
lowed-the supply of food lessening OF
the approach of winter--and he finally
died. The extreme length from tip t
tip was between eleven and twelve feet
and can now recall how used to re
coil at his display of formidable claw
and cleaning tusks.