The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-21
THE PANTHER'S REVENGE.

Old Myers, the Panther was q man
Of iron constitution, of great power OF
bone and muscle and an indomltaDie
courage that knew no mixture OF rear
He settled in Illinois when that region
was inhabited by Indians and soon took
a leading part among them one Gay
when on a hunting excursion with
them a river lay in their way Wnlch
must be crossed at 9. single point. When
they arrived at this point, they sud-
denly came upon huge panther, which
had taken possession Of the pass, and
like a slzillful general, confident OF his
strong position, seemed determined to
hold it. The party retreated little
and stood at bay for a while and con-
suited what should be done.
Myers urged the chief, whose rife
was loaded, to march close to the pan
Their and shoot him, promising support
If the shot failed, but the chief declined.
All the Indians likewise refused a duty
almost sure to bring death
At last Myers, in a burst of anger
and Impotence, called them all a set OF
towards and, snatching the loaded rifle
from the hands OF the chief, to the
amazement OF the whole party, march
ed deliberately toward the panther The
Indians kept at a cautious distance TO
watch the result of the fearful battle
Myers walked steadily UP to within
about two rods Of the panther, keeping
his eyes fixed upon him, while the eyes
of the panther flashed fire and his
heavy growl betokened at once the
power and firmness of the animal. AT
about two rods distance Myers leveled
his rife, took deliberate aim and fired
The shot inflicted a heavy wound, but
not fatal one. and the furious animal,
maddened with the pain, made two
leaps before he reached his assailant.
Myers met him with the butt end of
his rife and staggered him a little with
two or three heavy blows, but the rifle
broke, and the animal grappled him APP
parently with his full power The In
dams at once gave Myers up for dead
and only thought of making g. timely
retreat for themselves.
Fearful was the struggle between Myers
and the panther, but the animal had the
best Of it at first, for they soon came to
the ground Myers underneath, suffering
under the joint operation of sharp claws
and teeth applied by the most powerful
muscles. In falling, however, Myers
whose right hand was at liberty, had
came to the ground. his right arm being
free, he made desperate plunge at the
vitals q the animal and as good l dlek
loud shrieks Of the papther showed that
vulsiveiy, shock his victim with a spas
modic leap and plunge, then loosened his
hold and fell powerless by his side.
Myers whose wounds were severe, but
not mortal. rose to his feet, bleeding and
much exhausted, but with life and
strength to give q grand whoop which
conveyed the news of his victory to his
They now came up to him with shout
ing and joy and 50 full Of admiration
that they were almost ready to worship
him They dressed and bound up his
wounds and were now ready to pursue
their journey home without the least
impediment. Before crossing the river,
however, Myers cut off the head of the
and fastened 1t ND by the side of his
cabin door. where it remained for years
a memorial of q deed that excited the ad-
miration of the Indians in all that region.
From that time forth they. gave Myers
that name and always called him the
Panther.
The Black Hawk war. broke out, and
the Indians murdered Myers brother-in-
out word girded on his tonahawS and
scalpfng knife and shOuldered his loaded
rifle and at open midday silently and
alone bent his steps toward the indian
tread ne marched directly into the midst
of the assembly, elevated his rifle at the
head OF the principal chief present and
shot him dead on the spot
He then deliberately severed the head
from the trunk, and holding up by the
hair before the aWe-stricken multitude.
he exclaimed: You have murdered my
brOther-in-laW. his wife and their little
ones and now I have murdered your
chief / am now even with you But now
mind ever one of you that is found here
tomorrow morning at sunrise is a dead
Believing their chief had fallen a VIC
tim to some unseen power, they We're stu
pefied with terror and looked On without
1 even a thought Of resistance. Myers bore
| of the head in triumph to MS caDln.
where he was welcomed by his anxious
l friends almost as one returning from the
dead. The next morning not an indian
was to be found anywhere in the vicinity.
1 Their camps were deserted, and they left
/ forever their ancient haunts and their
/ dead and that part of the state was not
molested by them afterward