Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), December 4th 1908

Stories of Ferocious Bears.

Adventures with bears that, in campfire recitals, at least, were exceedingly ferocious, have been a frequent occurrence. In one or two instances women have been the victims of the ensuing fright. Incidentally, a three-legged bear and a five-legged deer have been reported from various parts of the woods. The “specter moose,” which from time immemorial has been wandering through the happy hunting grounds of Maine, according to local tradition, does not seem to have been heard from this season.

A particularly aggravating case was that of two sportsmen who were pursued by a wounded bear while partridge shooting. While up a tree waiting for bruin to recollect a more important engagement they saw two large buck deer and a doe not far away, and distinctly heard the bellow of a moose.

The sequel to this incident was that they went back next day and secured a buck and a doe, while the bear was captured a little later.

While following deer tracks two hunters from Lynn, Mass., went astray in the woods and for more than twenty-four hours were without shelter or food. They had to walk around a fire all night to keep from freezing. Next day they were found by guides, or they might have been there yet.

The hunting story most nearly approaching the typical “wild west” standard is that which comes from Rangeley to the effect that Fireman E. F. Vose of a train on the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes railway shot a deer from the cab of his engine. It was a good-sized one, at that.

The great forest fires, earlier in the season, were a source of alternate terror and attraction to the deer. Frequently a number of these animals would be noticed standing near the limits of a fire watching its progress with open-eyed wonder.

Disclaimer: This 1908 newspaper article was published prior to 1931. Under United States copyright law (specifically the 95-year rule), this work has entered the public domain and is thus free to use or republish. It is presented here as an interesting and folkloric newspaper oddity.

Source(s): https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83045462/1908-12-04/ed-1/?sp=2

Categories: Newspapers, Ghostly Animals