THE PENNSYLVANIA LION OR PANTHER. 51 



John Penn"s \'alley. Henry Dorman, of \\'eikert, 

 L'ninn County, had occasion to carry a strip of bacon 

 to a kimber camp on Clierry Run. It was at dusk, and 

 a panther scenting the bacon, followed him the entire 

 distance, occasional!}- howling mournfully. Packs of. 

 panther dogs would soon spring up in the mountainous 

 settlements, and the breeding of these animals would 

 give an impetus to the canine industry in these regions. 

 Small bull dogs are said to be liest for this purpose, 

 though man)- prefer the ordinary whiffet or "tice." 

 Aaron Hall, the ''Lion Hunter of the Juniata," slayer 

 of fift\- panthers in Pennsylvania between 1815 and 

 lS6i), bred a race of panther dogs. They were part 

 bull dog, part bloodhound, part Newfoundland, 

 and part mastiff'. They were so large that C. K. 

 Sober, of Lewisburg, former State Game Com- 

 missioner, Avhen on a ^■isit to Hall at his hunt- 

 ing cabin on Rock Run, Centre Count3^ was able 

 to ride on the back of one of them. They were 

 trained to hunt in pairs, and when the quarry was 

 overtaken, to seize it by the ears on either side, holding 

 tiie monster until the hunter appeared, ^\'ith Hall's 

 death, in 18lV,>, this interesting breed of dog was al- 

 lo\ved to become extinct. Old hunters declare there is 

 nothing in tlie eating line that can equal a (panther roast. 

 It is said to taste like pork, only far more luscious in 

 flavor. The meat is white like chicken, but of more 

 substance. The hams are said to be superior to those 

 of the hog. The panther hides are valuable as rugs, 

 bed-covers and lap robes. The Seneca Indians made 



