Long Hunters of Transylvania County

Long hunter James Washington Fisher Jr. and his wife Darcus Levisa Fisher in their golden years

Untamed and unnamed Transylvania County had a number of men known as “long hunters” in the 1800s who would make a living by embarking on hunting expeditions for six months at a time. From October to March, they would travel and hunt, preserving the meat, tanning the hides, and preparing pelts that they procured along the way. When they returned to civilization, they would often distribute their goods to prearranged buyers in larger towns of the area, such as Greenville, Spartanburg, and Asheville.

One well-known base camp was situated near Mount Toxaway, then known as “Hogback Mountain.” From here, the long hunters could replenish supplies and gather a group when it was time to set out on a long hunt. The animals they hunted included deer, bear, fox, beaver, and even the occasional panther. Hunting dogs were usually part of the team and were employed to help bring down the largest game, such as bear.

Notable long hunters of what would become Transylvania County included Nathan Lankford, Aleck Wood, John J. Green, and Jim Fisher.

Part of the camaraderie of these groups included sitting around a campfire and telling tall tales of their hunting exploits during their leisure time. These stories were not expected to be entirely true; in fact, it was a badge of honor to elaborate and embellish one’s story for the utmost effect. For this reason, these gatherings of hunters were known as “lying camps.” James “Jim” Washington Fisher Jr., was one of the most well-known long hunters. He often won these impromptu competitions and was also renowned for his fiddle music. The winner got to wield a carved powder horn until a new winner was declared.

The exploits of the long hunters might have been lost to history if not for the writings of a Charleston-based author named William Gilmore Simms who immortalized them in his short stories, essays, and books. Simms was taken out on an expedition in 1847 that included the notable long hunters of our region. He glorified their adventures and shared them with a public eager to hear stories of the untamed frontier lands of the rugged Appalachian mountains. Their remarkable stories now live on, and it us up to the reader to decide how much of these tales is true.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Local History Librarian Laura Sperry Gardner. For more information, comments, or suggestions, contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.