94 
FOREST AND STREAM 
Jan. 17, 1914. 
A Mighty Pennsylvania Hunter And Trapper 
Sketch of the life of George Smith, who helped clear the 
Northwestern Counties of Wolves, Bears and Catamounts 
By DR. W. J. McKNIGHT 
Few, among the many noted hunters of 
northwestern Pennsylvania, experienced a more 
eventful career than fell to the lot of George 
Smith, a typical backwoodsman, who preferred 
his log cabin to civilization, and derived more 
pleasure from the companionship of his gun, 
than the average person derives from the more 
genial, though at times less reliable, companion¬ 
ship of his acquaintances. He was a profes¬ 
sional hunter through choice, and that his pro¬ 
fession meant more to him than the mere means 
of making a livelihood, was evidenced in the 
records which were in earlier years to be found 
from a glance at these records, which dis¬ 
close the fact that he killed as many as seven 
deer in a single day. That alone would keep 
most men pretty busy, and one might suppose 
he had reached the height of his hunting prowess 
in achieving such a record. But when, by a 
further inspection, it is ascertained that he, at 
another time, killed five bears in a day, one be¬ 
gins to understand why he stands out in the 
memory of those who knew him, as one of the 
truest types of the erstwhile professional hunt¬ 
er, a type that has receded so rapidly before 
the steady progress of civilization. 
he was well adapted to the life of a hunter, 
and although a trifle stooped in appearance, he 
was possessed of a frame naturally designed to 
withstand the strain to which it was subjected. 
It was in Elk County, Pennsylvania, that 
he did some of his most effective hunting; and 
it was here that he killed one hundred and fifty 
deer, thirteen bears, and thirteen wolves, in 
one year. 
It was his custom to retain two cabins, hardly 
the type of residing places that would appeal 
to a modern seeker after snugly built bungalows, 
and artistically designed city homes, but ade¬ 
quately suited to his method of life. One of 
these structures was in Jefferson County, where 
his wife and family lived, and the other a log 
hut in the woods—located in almost any place 
that was suitable to his purposes at the time. The 
one in the accompanying photograph happens to 
have been built near the head-waters of Pigeon 
Run. 
It was here that his wife demonstrated that 
she was a pretty good markswoman herself, and 
incidentally added one more panther to the 
family record. 
It happened one day, when Smith was re¬ 
turning from a hunting trip in the wilderness of 
Elk County. Mrs. Smith had journeyed to the 
cabin to await his return, and when toward 
evening, she heard him coming, she went to the 
door to greet him; a large panther was stealthily 
trailing his footsteps. Being a woman of strong 
nerves, she did not hesitate how to act, but 
sprang for a rifle—and made good use of it, 
too; the rifle cracked and Smith turned in time 
to see the panther drop. 
His daughters were also expert with the 
rifle, and it was one of his amusements to shoot 
at a mark with them. 
Although most of his life was spent in 
northwestern Pennsylvania, where he hunted 
through the counties of Elk, Forest and Jeffer¬ 
son, he was not a native of that section but was 
born in Canada. He died in 1901 at the age of 
74. The following is a record of the game he 
killed during his life time: 
14 panthers, 500 bear, 30 elk, 3,000 deer, 500 
catamounts, 500 wolves and 600 wildcats. He 
had killed 7 deer in a day and as many as 5 
bears in a day. 
GEORGE SMITH, A PENNSYLVANIA NIMROD 
on the forest trees of Elk and Jefferson coun¬ 
ties, Pennsylvania, recording the fact that he 
had killed one “B’ar,” or two elk, or whatever 
game had fallen victim to his rifle at the time 
of recording. Aside from this he kept a full 
record of all the game which he killed, and 
the list contained therein is long enough to make 
a good sized manuscript. Some idea of the 
strenuous life which he led, may be gleaned 
But his success in his chosen calling is 
not all that lingers in the recollections of those 
who knew him well. He was in many ways a 
character, not readily to be forgotten. Despite 
the rough nature of his vocation, and the many 
exasperating situations which he naturally was 
called upon to face, he was never known to utter 
ar. oath. He was not addicted to liquor, and 
never used tobacco in any form. Physically, 
SOLACE OF THE WOODS 
By WALTER H. DEARING 
When I think of my many friends untrue, 
My thought seems dull, and of sombre blue, 
Tinged with a sickly saffron hue, 
And I turn to the woods for solace. 
When I think of my dearest hopes long dead, 
My faith is lost, and my courage fled, 
Locked outside, by an unnamed dread, 
And I turn to the woods for solace. 
When the last day dawns, and I long for rest, 
I shall nourish the spark in my sinking breast, 
And struggle, and fight, and gain the crest, 
That leads to the woods and solace. 
