The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-26
PANTHER JOE.

In 1868, shortly after the discovery oi
gold at Antelope Peak and along the
Hassayampa River, Hijinio Carabal, g
Yaqui Indian, arrived in that part oi
Arizona and engaged in mining.
In general appearance the Iaqui did
not differ from others of his race, save
that heright ear was missing, and on that
side of his neck was three scars, resem-
bling such as might have been left from
knife wounds. Like all his people he
was passionately fond of Intoxicating
liquor, but as he was harmless and inof-
fensive when under its influence, and i'm
posed upon his fellow-miners no greater
indiction than was to be created by the
weird music of his native tribe as pro-
duced on an antiquated and discordant
harmonica or mouth h-organ-which he al
WAYS carried with him-the Indian was
regarded as compadre and permitted to
pursue his natural inclinations. He Sc
cured good claim and took out a large
quantity of dust, nearly all of which was
spent over the bars, to his evident salts
faction and increase of popularity with
the miners.
Mexicans who came to the diggings
from Sonora subsequent to the arrival
of Hiunio told strange stories regarding
him. They asserted that he had formed
a close corporation with Satan, and was
in the habit of roaming over the mount
aims and through the forests with wild
and savage beasts, with which he was on
the most friendly terms. His right ear,
they said, had been taken off by a stroke
from the paw of huge jaguar, which
also left the scars on his neck. The
Yaqui was playing with the animal in
the timber when the accident occurred
and he afterward punished his rough play
mate for its disastrous carelessness.
This and similar stories produced no
further effect upon the American miners
than to cause them to apply the cog
romen of "Panther Joe" to Hijinio Car
abal, the latter name being long and
somewhat difficult to pronounce.
1t was six months after his arrival that
the Yaqui earned his title of "Panther
Joe," and became a hero as we'll as
mystery to every man in the "diggings. "
A family named Stapley came out from
California and established a station near
Antelope, but several miles from where
any people were mining or living.
One evening after sundown, and when
the men-folk were away, Mrs. Stapley
went to the corral for the purpose of
milking her COWS, taking with her
little daughter three years old and also
rifle as protection against the constant
dangers of that country in that period.
The woman had proceeded with her
duties but few minutes when she was
startled by scream of terror from the
child, and upon turning in the direction
of the sound was Mortified to see large
panther jump over tie fence with her
child in It's mouth.
Picking up the rifle the thoroughly
frightened mother rushed to the gate in
an effort to rescue her offspring, but
when outside the inclosure most unex-
pected, unusual and startling situation
was met, and while hope was inspired
she was rendered powerless to act herself
and was compelled to suffer the most in
tense suspense. About forty yards from
her stood the panther, with both front
feet upon the child, which was on the
ground and crying Justify. The beast
was not looking at the child, but had its
head raised and eyes fastened upon an
other form which was slowly approach
ing it from a direction parallel to that
taken by Mrs. stapley in leaving the cor
raj.
The mother at once recognized the
person nearing the brute as "Panther
Joe," and with intent fascination, the
greatest dread, and fearful suspense did
she watch his every movement. He was
stopping over to about half his natural
height and had his eyes, which in the
closing twilight were blazing like Goals of
fire, riveted upon those of the beast.
With his left hcnd he held between his
lips the mouth organ on which he was
playing some low, strange, and weird
music, while in his right hand he held
switch cut from mesquite bush. He
placed his feet upon the earth with the
greatest care, making not the slightest
noise, and with each step he took he
croucAed lower and the monotone notes
of the rude instrument grew more soft.
The panther lashed its tail gently and
its eyes never left those of the Yaqui
while he so slowly and silently ap-
preached it, yet it kept its feet upon the
child all the while and did not show the
slightest inclination to abandon its prey.
as Joe drew nearer and nearer the saw
are animal became less at ease, but its
actions was more that of dog punished
into submission by its master than of
wild and ferocious beast seeking meal
on human flesh. Its power to move
seemed lost; it appeared to be under a
fascination as strong as that which SER
pent ever exercised over bird. When
within about six feet of the panther Joe
stopped playing on the mouth organ,
and while uttering some words in low
tone slowly Strengthened to his natural
height.
Ata single stride he was at the side
of the brute, and with an exclamation Of
reproval he hit it sharp blow over the
head with the swith. The panther took
first one paw and then the other from
the body of the child and walked away
doggcdIy for few yards, vixen il
stopped, turned around aud licked its