The following shares three short articles that appeared in the June 13, 1895, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper. First a story about a fishing trip that included a bear “hunt”, then “still true today” lament, and finally a short account of what fishing was like in 1865 by a legendary Rangeley guide.
Have a great week and be sure to get outside and make some great Rangeley history of your own!
(Contemporary commentary shared in Italics).
An Old Time Barr Story
Fifty-five years ago, when the road to Rangeley was being built, Mr. O. W. Russell, of Phillips, and his brother Ephraim, went to Long Pond fishing. They built a raft, as there were no boats, and poled out on the water. When near the spot that the late Mr. Haley used for a boat landing, they heard a bear call. The raft was pushed to the shore and O. W., taking the old smooth bore rifle, started in the direction of the sound, while his brother retreated with the raft to a safe distance from the expected battle. Cautiously the ‘brave hunter’, then but about fourteen years old, crept up till the bear could be seen; a steady aim was taken and the ball went crashing through the skull, and the bear was dead. With a shout of victory, he sprang forward. There lay the bear, but to one of its feet was securely fastened a trap, and the trap belonged to Owen Hewey. When they returned to Phillips, they only took the story, and for some time they were both looked upon as heroes, but a good deacon of the church had grave misgivings as to the truthfulness of the tale, and after a long examination, it was admitted that the bear was in a trap. Hero worship never had a greater fall.
(I respectfully submit… how many 14-year-olds today would hike 15 miles into a wilderness to camp, build a raft to fish, pursue a bear with a single shot rifle, and then walk 15 miles home? And with no modern camping equipment, bug dope or cell phone coverage! Today, these feats alone would cause anyone to question their validity. Is it safe to say that we have become a bit ‘soft’)?
One, Two, or More?
There seems to be some doubt as to the number of wardens to be appointed in Franklin County. It is possible that only one, or at the outside two, will be given this vast territory, to afford any particular protection for fish or game would require fully as great a miracle as those of past ages! When it was asked, “What are they among so many?” A dozen men could not look out for the North Franklin region alone, to say nothing of the lower part of the County. If fish and game protection is what is intended, give us as many wardens as possible. It is simply a comedy to say one is enough to play the part. Which is it?
(The more things change the more they stay the same. Even with today’s large system of roads through the region’s backcountry, trucks, motorboats and snowmachines, it is hard to fathom how one or two wardens could ever hope to effectively protect the region’s precious natural resources from game hogs. I know of no one ever who worked harder or was more dedicated than the now retired Reggie Hammond. Now just imagine how hard that was in 1895, without all those tools and no radios or backup)!
Oquossoc Angling Association in the days of C.T. Richardson.
Speaking of the Fishing of Other Days
Mr. C. T. Richardson tells of the catch made by a party of four, including old Eli Edmunds and Fish Commissioner Stanley’s father, thirty years ago. They fished near the foot of Oquossoc Lake and when ready to go out had, in a pen below where the bridge now is, 54 trout which would weigh from 4 1/4 lbs. to 10lbs each.
(This incredible fishing trip took place the same year the Civil War ended, and about 50 years after Luther Hoar became the first settler in Rangeley. The guide, Cornelious Richardson was the first superintendent of Oquossoc Angling Association. He was also a skilled woodsman. Richardson is truly a legendary figure in the region. A street off Main St. in town is named for him. In his prime, he was considered to be the fastest rower of the iconic Rangeley Boat, but that’s a story for another edition. Cornelious is, without question, Rangeley Guide Hall of Fame material).
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