The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-02
A MYSTERIOUS BEAST
Searbero People Are Much Excited
Over It.
MIR. FRANK LARRABEE'S BARN
INVADED.
A striped. snarling Creature That Put
Nate Lanes Dog to Flight and Caused
General Consternation.

Nate Lanes Dog to Flight and Caused
General CONSERVATION.
Two weeks ago this evening an unusual
event happened at the house of Mr.. Frank
E. Larrabee, ON the Black Point road in
Scarboro. After dark Mr.. Larrabee's son,
years Of age, went to an clubhouse. The
young man had no light with him. He
had barely entered the clubhouse and
closed the door when heavy body dashed
against the outside of the door. At the
same time growing and gsnarling was
heard. Again and again the body dashed
against the door; but young Larrabee,
astounded beyond measure and not a
little scared, held the door.
Luckily the animal did not persist in
his attacks, and after few moments re-
tired This opportunity was seized by
Walter Larrabee for dash for the house.
He reached there safely and related his
startling story to his father.
His father, leading citizeA of Scar
boro, and a man of courage and truth,
lighted his lantern and with the son went
to investigate Mr.. Larrabee says that
he did not go far when he heard growl-
ings and snarlings, and saw by the light
of the lantern a
LARGE STRIPED ANIMAL
lying in the yard. Mr. Larrabee describes
the animal as appearing larger than the
largest dog.
So formidable did the beast appear
that Mr.. Larrabee and his son retreated
at once to the house. Mr.. Larrabee said
that he saw all he wanted to Of the
animal that night.
The next morning the Larrabees were
I'D bright and early, determined to
know what kind of beast had called.
But no traces could be found until the
idea of using dog was adopted. 50
Nate Lanes dog, a large canine of reputa-
ton in Scarboro, was sent for The dog
in due time arrived and took up the trail,
which proved to lead directly under the
Larrabee barn. The animal evidently
had gone in where there was hole in
the foundation.
The dog at once dashed through the
hole. There was a brief moment of sus-
pense, then burst of snarls and howls,
and then out dashed the dog. And from
that time to this it has been impossible
to get that famous dog of Nate Lanes to
go near the Larrabee barn.
A clothes pole was next tried. This
reached the animal and was the means OF
producing series of snarls and bowls
But very soon the pole, a stout maple
stick, was completely bitten off, and the
beast was master of the situation.
The next move was to slide steel traps
under the barn. The traps were placed
near the hole and this was stoutly
stopped up.
The next morning..the traps were found
sprung, but the beast was not caught. He
was, evidently a knowing creature, not
to be caught that way.
Then more clothes poles were tried; but
without any other result than to
manoeuyre the beast back to an in
pregnable position under the part Of the
barn where the hay now is located.
In this position the beast has held his
ground for about two weeks.
There is much excitement in Scarboro
MANY think Mr.. Larrabee has come into
posse ssion of an escaped circus animal
One man, who has had the temerity TO
sugo est that it may be coon, has been
secuted.