The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-05-24
THE FLORIDA

his breast. 1t was taken from his
heart. It's tip was silver. The SER
cerer was never seen again. The
maiden, when her dead lover was
found, lie ped into the lake and found
a grave beneath its waters. The
tribe was never after able to cope
with Its enemies in battle, and was
gradually destroyed. The lake is
known to this day as White Deer
Lake.
The superstition as to the white
deer no doubt was received from the
Ind ans 10y the early white settlers of
The valley, and has been preserved by
their descendants. Among those
who believe in the fatality that at
tends the killing of a white deer il
the Hon w liam Westfall, of Lack
AWAKEN. He was formerly Associate
Judge OF Pike county, and is the
present representative OF the county
in thu Legislature. Mr.. Westfall dis
aims being IN any way superstitous,
have come under his personal obser>
valon. He says he never knew OF
more than three white deer being in
the vicinity OF this place, and two of
them we5e killed. White deer are
Away does. What freak OF nature
makes them white he does not know.
The first white deer was killed in
Lacka~ axen many years ago by a
hunter named James Van Gorden.
This deer had roamed the ridges for
years, and the superstition had pro.
tected her. She was often seen, and
was as white Gas tile driven snow."
Van Gorden did not believe that SO
valuable a lot of venison should be
allowed to waste, ami, not sharing in
the popular feeling in favor of white
deer, determined TO bring her down.
He hunted the deer season after sea.
son. He obtained many shots at her,
but without effect. Then he made
up his mind to try the charm alleged
to be i'll The firing of silver bullet.
He moulded bullet out of silver,
and with bis rifle loaded with it.
started on the white deer's trail. He
came upon her as she was feeding,
and sent the silver crashing into her
heart. He killed the white deer; but,
says John Westtall, it was his last
shot. A wasting disease attacked
him, and not long afterward he died.
The second white deer remembers
ed by Judge Weslt ss.Igss killed by
WSdnesday came an i passed still I
he Ocean Crest did NOT come. Fri +
lay came, and with it Me intelligence
'he Ocean Crest had SINK, one mile I
way, and all on board lost. When
hey told me, threw up my arms
md tainted. Two days passed. We /
we're waiting for Captain Delmaynes
'ody which had been found, and I'M
lie, for my sake, was going to have
Inn buried from our home. Oh how
veil ! remember his dear dead face.
shrleked long and loud when they
aid his dead body Oh the crimson
-elvet lounge. They lett me alone
With my dead. How long | remained
'neeling at his feet, | do not know;
tut auntie came ard took me in her
rms and carried me away TO my
Dom. The next day he vas buried
our lot. | stood by my relatives
lde, clad from head to foot In crane,
nd listened to the burial rites. 9th
RS sobbed convclsirely, hut no sound
anne from between my cold lips. NV
cart was dead. Not a tear tell tronl
y eyes as | stepped forward and
I'D wreath OF lines aud cypress at
Is feet. had made the wreath nv
iii. His bride was never ioand. aud 6
hen | die | hope 10 lie by his side.
IL is two years ago now but still
ear Grape ana live retired life at
IL seashore. am still Daphne
and shall always De.