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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