Extinct Pennsylvania Animals, Vol I: The Pennsylvania Lion or
Panther
By Henry W. Shoemaker
INDEX
Preface
History
Description
Habits
Early Prevalence
The Great Slaughter
The Biggest Panther
Diminishing Numbers
The Last Phase
Re-Introduction: Sporting Possibilities
Superstitions
Tentative List of Panthers Killed in Pennsylvania Since 1860
Ode to a Stuffed Panther
PREFACE
The object of this pamphlet is to produce a narrative blending the
history and romance of the once plentiful Lion of Pennsylvania.
While pages have been written in natural histories describing this
animal's unpleasant characteristics, not a word has been said in
its favor. It has never even had an apologetic. In reality the
Pennsylvania Lion needs no defenders, as those who understand him
realize the nobility of his nature. From reading John W. Godman's
"American Natural History," published in 1828, one would imagine
that the Pennsylvania Lion, or, as it is most commonly called, the
panther, was a most terrible beast. Among other things he says: "In
the daytime the cougar is seldom seen, but its peculiar cry
frequently thrills the experienced traveler with horror, while
camping in the forest for the night." Even Mary Jemison, "The White
Woman of the Genessee," speaks of "the terrifying shrieks of the
ferocious panther," as she heard it in her childhood days on Marsh
Creek, Franklin County. In reality the panther was an inoffensive
creature, desiring only to be let alone, yet brave when attacked by
dogs, and respectful of man. A single hunter in St. Lawrence
County, New York, met five panthers together, of which, with his
dog and gun, he killed three at the time and the next day the other
two. The first settlers finding it in the woods set out to kill it
as they did with every other living thing from the paroquet to the
heath-cock, from the northern hare to the pine marten, from the
passenger pigeon to the wild turkey, without trying to study it, or
give it a chance. Economically the panther was of great value for
the hide, meat, and oil, and as the finest game animal which
Pennsylvania produced. As former Governor Glynn, of New York, said
in a message to the Legislature, "Game should be conserved to
furnish a cheap food supply." In the following pages will be found
the bulk of the information which the writer has been able to
collect on the subject of the panther in Pennsylvania. It has been
prepared from the point of view of the old hunters, whom the writer
has interviewed. While there are some statements which are liable
to be declared scientifically incorrect, they are printed for what
they are worth, as the authorities...
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