The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17
Il MIGHTY HUNTER DEAD.
Joseph MAIN OF Pennsylvania, who Had
Hunted md Trapped Since 1870

ROULETTE. Pa, May l6.-Joseph Mahn Of Elk
county. once famous as q mighty hunter, died a
few days ago, nearly 90 years old. 1t was less
than ten years ago that failing eyesight COM
relled him to give up his life IN the woods. He
had hunted and trapped In the Pennsylvania
woods since 1870, and the stories OF his exploits
are household words in the western and north
ern portions of that State. He emem bered
when elk were yet numerous in the State. and
one of his favorite stories was of the time when
he was a boy and went with his father on an elk
hunt. They followed the elk from the head
waters of the Allegheny River until it crossed
the river below where oil City Is now. and led
the chase into Ohio, where. on the third day OF
the hunt, it was killed not far from what is now
This old woodsman ended his career as a hunt
er and trapper by Il series OF successes which
he declared were the most satisfactory to him
of all his exploits. He was trapping In Centre
county. and had four bear traps out. He started
out one morning to look after them. The first
trap he visited had done good work. 1t had a
big bear In it with a magnificent coat of fur.
another trap: That one had a surprise for him.
1t was not a bear. but an ugly. glarinG. snarling
seen in all his career in the forest. 1t was not
only ugly, but extremely tough. for the trapper
After killing the catamount MAIN went on
to the third trap, and there he found awaiting
in the trap by both fore feet. How the bear
managed to get both feet into the trap was
was a thing unheard Of in bear trapping. This
bear was a savage old chap, and resented its
not give up until four rife bullets Induced him
TO-. That three traps In succession should
but when the fourth one came to tho front with
a third bear, as fine MS either Of the others, the
event without precedent In the Pennsylvania
woods, and as it was a fortnight, since MAIN, had
killed in the state. he was willing TO go homo
and rest the remainder OF his days on the ~laurels
Intended to do so. for he had lost the sight OF
one eye entirely. and the other eye was failing.
But he was not permitted to retire Just yet,
\ few weeks after his great trapping expert
ence n delegation Of backwoods farmers, waited
on him and solicited him to 90 kill a bear or
sheep and pigs, The weather was warm. and
NIahn did not care to undertake. the task. being
then almost so years of age. His neighbors in;
sisted. and he took down his gun once more and
shnnldered his traps. He put out six, wildcat
ono of five OF the former had a wildcat in It, and
the sixth one had the lower part of q wildcats
ibSrS ''f 1 t tT% Of b s%s 0 tr"p was wa. mas miss aSSh " T H,s
chnln was broken loose from the wooden clog,
aud it was plain that a bear had walked off with
trap bad not been disturbed.
MAIN did not intend to 70 home without re-
hear that had IL to II swamp and scared 1t out.
Tho trap was fast, TO one Of the bears fore feet.
No Dear was lncllneu 10 Hglll lho trhppeT, out
Nahn killed 1t with two shots. on his way
heard of collection ~ sheep and pig stealers the
old man struck n bloody trail. He followed II.
and IL led him u mile, where II ended at the foot
of q big chestnut tree. ON a branch Of that tree,
well toward the top. lay u wildcat. Main
brought II down with u single shot, As the
wildcat was minus one fore paw, the old trapper
knew he had hagged the cat that had got out NJ
his sixth trap. MAIN had left his undisturhed
out and got his fourth hear. Ther he put away
his traps and hung up his gun, and never used
them again.