The Portland daily press., 1883-01-22
Chased BY a Panther.
From Lapham's History of Woodstock

From Laphams History of Woodstock
The truth of the following story is not
avouched for by the writer, though there are
strong grounds for believing it authentic. 1t oc-
Cured nearly hundred years ago-and long be
foresthe first settler built his cabin in this town
The descendants of the leading character, OF
the adventure say that the story has come
down to them, and they believe it, and the
principal details, as related by them, are here
given. One of the first settlers in Paris was
Lemuel jackson, of Middleboro, Mass. Rum
ford and Paris were settled nearly at the same
time, though when the Indian raid was made
into Bethel in 1884, the settlers in Rumford
went away and did not return for over year.
Until the road was built through Woodstock
in 1876, there was no communication between
the two settlements except through the wilder
ness. guided by line of spotted trees. 1t is
said that in the spring, Mr.. jackson, being
short of potatoes for seed, made the journey
alone through the woods to New Pennacook
Rumford) for the purpose OF procuring some
of the settlers there BE secured the potatoes
and started for home late in tho afternoon, in
tending to stop over night on the way. It was
net an uncommon thing for the early settlers,
when visiting neighboring settlements. to spepd
the night in the woods. Near the brook which
passes through Pinhook at the time OF which
we are speaking, was deserted camp which
had been used by sable hunters. and which
was built after the manner of those days.
jackson arrived at this camp about dark and
decided to spend the night here and pursue
his homeward journey in the morning. His
bag of potatoes was deposited in the camp and
he was arranging for fire, when he was start
led by savage scream which almost froze his
blood. He had heard similar sound before
and knew that it was made by the most dam
gerous animal of the northern woods the
American panther. He also knew that if he
remained where he was, he would soon be at
tackled, and that the old and rudely construct
ed camp would afford him no protection. His
onlv hope, and that, under the circumstances ;
forlorn one was in fight, and this at once be
resolved on. Selling his bag of potatoes, for
these were too important to him to give them
up without an effort to save them, be bounded
off through the woods at a rapid rate, He
struck the Little Androscoggin at the foot of
Bryant's Pond; up to this time, he had heard
nothing more of the beast, and a glimmer of
hope entered his heart that he was not pur-
sued, but as he proceeded along theriver bank,
this hope was dispelled by the loud
cry of the animal, which now seemed quite
near. He now felt the necessity of putting
forth every effort, and to this end hethrew away
his bag of potatoes and rushed through the dark
woods at an accelerated speed. He heard
nothing more of the panther for some time, the
animal probably having found the bag of pota-
toes, and, impelled by curiosity, had stopped
to examine it; hope again Frightened soon to
be dispelled by the terrible screams of the
beast, which now seemed nearer than at any
jackson felt that the terrible beast
might spring down upon him from
any of the dark trees, which now
seemed to frown above his head. In running,
his hat was Knocked off and he sped on with
out it. 1t is probable that the panther STONED
again to examine the hat and this gave the
fugitive another short respite. He rushed on.
tearing his clothes and scratching his face
against the brush which he could not see, and
guided by the sound of the rapids on the river,
along which his course lay Again he hoped
he might escape his pursuer, and again the
dreadful cry reached him, showing that the
beast was still on his track. Why the panther
hesitated about attacking him is hard to be
understood. 1t may be, however, that, gov
erned by his cat-like nature he was plaving
with him, feeling it in bis power to accom-.
plish his purpoSe at any time. But jackson
sped on, and now the twelve long miles from
the old camp are nearly accomplished his
clearing appears IN view, but the river, which
must be forded, runs between him and his
cabin. He rushed into the water, and the
panther, having come into the clearing, and
with the instinct of his ace taking in the stu-
alton, and fearful of losing his intended prey
leaped in after him. jackson gained little in
the water, and near the opposite bank stood
his cabin. Calling to his wife at the top of his
voice, he rdshed up the bank; his wife heard
and opened wide the door, through which
Jackson rushed headlopg and fell prone on
the floor. Realizing that there must Re dan
ger near at hand, Mrs. jackson at once closed
the door ard adjusted the strong bar which
answered the purpose of a bolt, Hardly had
she done this when The animal sprang against
tho door in manner that made the cabin trem=
BILE. But 1t was proof against bis attacks, and.
prowliDg around in the vicinity the remainder
of the night, at daylight he vanished into the
forest.