THE PENNSYLVANIA LION OR PANTHER. 31 



by Indians while on a hunting trip and killed. Animal 

 drives did not cease with Black Jack's death, but in 

 some localities they were held annually, until game 

 became practically exterminated. They wxre held in 

 Northern Pennsylvania, which was settled at a much 

 later date, until about 1830. After the great slaughter 

 of Pomfret Castle, many backwoodsmen appeared in 

 full suits of panther skin. For several years they were 

 known as the "Panther Boys," and in their old days 

 they delighted to recount the "big hunt" to their de- 

 scendants. Among those said to have taken part in it 

 were Jack Schwartz, Michael Dougherty, Felix Dele- 

 hanty, Terence McGuire, Patt. Mitcheltree, brother of 

 Hugh Mitcheltree, who was carried ofif by six Indians 

 in 175G; Abraham Plart, Michael Flinn and Isaac 

 Delaplain. The panther uniforms were abandoned be- 

 cause they became favorite targets for skulking In- 

 dians. The savages, infuriated by the arrogance of 

 the white newcomers, spared persons falling into their 

 power occasionally, but gave no quarter to a "Panther 

 Boy." The great slaughter of animals kept alive ill 

 feeling between the two races in the region of the 

 Firestone Mountains, and probably a dozen settlers 

 lost their lives because of it. However, they went on 

 with their animal drives, as the hardy settlers loved to 

 do what the Indians hated. Of all the hunters con- 

 tributing to the final extermination of the Pennsylva- 

 nia lion, Aaron Hall, who died at his palatial mansion 

 back of Unionvill'e, Centre county, in 1892, stands 

 well up on the list. Between the years 1815 and 1869 



