The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-01
A WHITE DOE.
New York sun


 Silas Rohrbacker, who lives alone with his fif,een-year old son on his clearing in the Hunters Range Mountains. near Scranton. Pa. was in that city a few days since for the parpose of having some auction posters printed, giving nosice that he would offer at public sale certain household goods and personal property. To bro,her-in-law he gave as a reason for desiring to dispose of his property tha, he could never have any luck again on his farm because he had killed white doe, which, according to the superstition aniong the hunters of northern Pennsyl- vania. is a crime sure to be followed by disaster, in one way or another. to the psrpe,rator. It seems that last week kohrbacker and his sos were on their way to par, uf the woods where they have been at work getting out railroad ties. While passing along the edge ef laurel ,h,cket large doe sprang out but iew feet away. The snow was covered with a stsff crust, upon which the deer could secure no foothold. and |, instantly fell on it's side, and was unable to regain its feet.
 Rohrbaeket saw al once that Ii was a
 
 in the eyes of all hunters a@hi,e deer. He resolved al once 10 save its lite and place Il where i, would be secure. He go, a feed bag and a rope, and. alter ,y ing he does legs. drew the bag over i,i head and earned I, 10 his oowshed. l. was the intention of ,he humane woojsman 10 keep ,he deer un- ,il sprng, and then free il. On last Thursday he went ,o the shed to throw down hay for his cattle. Rohr- packer had his hayfork in his hand. When he opened the door ot the shed the wind caught II and blew 1t wide open and the doe made dash for Il.
 As 1t leaped pas, Rohr5acker he me chanically ra,sed his hayfork and made lunge at the deer. The tines sank into the deer's side. and the impetus of the animals flight broke them otf. The doe fell at full length dead on the snow. The tines of the fork were imbedded m her l heart. kohrbAcker at first thought he would bury IL m the woods and say noth- l ing abeu, II as no enc m the ne ghborhood was aware that he had had the annual in l custody. Arguing, however. tha, such course would not relieve him from any evll consequences that might follow his unfortunate act he carried the news to some lumber choppers Tn the woods. One of these, not having any taith Tn the white deer superstition. caificd the car cass from Rohrbaeker's premises, re- moved the skin and sold 1t the same day 10 commercial traveller tor slo. In i spite oi his great regret at having killed the deer. and his te II oi the consequences ] Rohr rbacker. upon hearing of the sale of the skin demanded half the money. and hnally accepted sc.
 As proof of the bad luck sure 10 follow person who has killed white deer. he narrated several stories: In tS5s Dom beck Simmer, of the Exohan,e hotel. Wilkesbatre. and two friends of his. a man named Heavens and one named Haney. killed a white deer in iIke coun- y. This was followed by simmer beoom- l ing from rich man and one of giant phy ysique a bankrupt and helpless in- valid. llaney failed m business and died of the smallpox. Heavens, then q lead l ing merchant. became reduced to bank raptcy and shot himself m an ou,iieuse ] lanes Van Iorden did not believe H. the i s4crcdness of the white deer. lie hunted ore for several seasons on the faupaCk ] ridges. but never could hii IL. Then he made silver bullet. wi,h which he killed i II. lie died ~l,h | wasting disease be- l 10 the eason waNver. Judge Wes,iail, of Pike county, sho, twelve tunes a, white deer one fall. and although he did not h,t t he was never able to kiil deer or any other game after that. and died after being defeated for the legislature | James Brink. who shot at a red buck, and sen, the ball clear through the buck and ! into white deer ,ha, Stood beyond It. died of consumption iii five months, and a man named Griswold, who was with him. was killed afterwards by load of stone falling on him.
 Kohrbacker's brosher-i in-law tailed 10 convince hIm ,ha, there was nothin. in the supers;i,io and finally purchased Rohrbacker's property himself. Rohr packer has gone ;o Monroe county to work in a ,annery. firmly believing tha, he will dic or be killed before the year IS out. The son does not share his father $ fear, and will remain on the old place. ! 1 Advertising Cheats,,,