Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-22
pUpaEs ysAsus seuclERs.
Deadly Fsud sslwssa 10 Ea0ls Lake famIlIss
u modawaska

Lake plantation has at last attracted the
attention OF the authorities and has been
reported to the county attorney w. X.
Lumbert, ESQ.,. Of Caribou. Mr.. Lumbert
IL investigating the case with a view to
bringing It before the attention OF the
grand jury at the term of supreme court
to convene ut Houlton, states dispatch
from Ft. Kent to the Bangor CONNER
cial.
AS nearly as can be learned at present
1t Is a wonder that the Dupres and the
Souciers are not all killed Off like the XII
kenny cats. They have been active
enough. They have been sufficiently
ferocious to have massacred hamlet full
Of people. The Fort Kent folks say that
it's surprising that some one has not been
slaughtered before this.
The Eagle Lake plantation is seques-
tered tract with population more or
less untrammeled and Unframed They
do queer things and they say queer
things. as the folks used to on the Bow
cry. No elements are more free and
easy in their ways than the Dupres and
the S0uciers.. Some Of the Eagle Lake
inhabitants live along the kings high
way leading to Ashland and therefore
have had some of the rough corners
rubbed off by intercourse with the tray
elers going up and down on varied err
rands. But the two families who have
been named live away in across the lake
In settlements by themselves Their
knowledge of the outside world is OBJ
tanned on occasional visits to Fort Kent
or law and order and social amenities
their notions are very chaotic.
The trouble that has arrived at the
present interesting crisis commenced sew
erai months ago from small beginnings.
Occasionally the rival factions met by
chance on common ground in the woods
and punched noses or chased each other
with sticks. Pretty soon things came to
such a tension that the sight of Dupre
excited homicidal frenzy in the soul of
u Soucier and vice-versa.
The principal engagement of the forces
occurred few Sundays ago. and reminds
one of the bold buccaneering exploits of
the rowing Capt. Kidd. The Souciers had
been dutifully to church in the Eagle
Lake parish and were on their return
bore down upon them in another boat
The pursuers were swifter and were able
to intercept the Souciers. There was
spirited engagement on the water and
then the fight was continued at the shore
to which both parties retreated. From
reports that came from the battlefield
II is believed that the Souciers got a lit
tie the best of 1t. At any rate the Dupres
weren't satisfied and a few days later
hostilities were renewed.
The Souciers were out in the woods at
work. Suddenly their enemies broke
through the covert and fell upon them
with sticks and stones. The Souciers
were taken fairly by surprise and could
~
turned and ied for their settlement close
IL pursued by the yelling Dupres
The best sprinter in the Soucier crowd
was youth about fifteen years old. He
and had hung 1t over the door in antici-
patton OF a visit from the hostile Dupres
and all his efforts were directed to get
ting to the settlement first and getting
hob. of that gun. When he reached the
door pursuers and pursued were throng-
Ing into the clearing with a great tumult |
of voices and to the intense alarm of ali |
the women and the children. The youth !
grabbed the gun and dashed out to meet |
the attackers.
Then it was the turn of the Duores to |
Zee. They turned and ran like deer. But |
before they had taken a dozen steps the |
Soucier boy blazed away. 1t is not known |
COW near TO killing Dupre he came. 1t |
IS fact however. that no one dropped |
md that no injuries have been reported. |
The assault with the gun seems to have |
oeen contrary to the code of feuds as the
Dupres understand the matter. They
md hard fists and all that. but they drew
he line at powder and shot. So the next
lay they started post haste in body for
Fort Kent to see what the law would do
or them. The Souciers heard of the ex-
,edition and away they started for the
Fort
To the lawyer whom they consulted
hey complained that one of the wicked
Dupres had perpetrated a terrible wrong
IN one of Soucier women out of his de-
sire to wreak vengeance on the family of
lis enemies. The allegation was that a
oupre had caught a Soucier woman who
vas gathering berries in the woods and
lad criminally and brutally assaulted her
eliing her to carry the news home to her
people. The Souciers claimed that their
var against the Dupres was based on this
'ffense and that they had been warranted
in all that they had done. AS for the
10 hny S1:d hot t1ax-
merely protecting themselves from a SUI
Derior force that had assembled to do
hem and their people damage
The authorities at Fort Kent decided
o have hearing on the matter and one
vas held. There was a great crowd and
much excitement. Much sensational tes-1
imony was given in and enough villainy
vas charged by the respective factions
iovel. All the peasantry for miles about
were at the hearing and took sides one
vay.or another. Finally the Soucier boy
was held to answer to assault with a
deadly weapon and Dupre had the
,harge of felonious assault preferred
against him.
Then both sides went out to discuss the
matter ut one of the Fort Kent liquor
shops. In a short time the "morson'' or
he white rum of the region made heroes
If them ALL and both factions met in the
treet not far from Major Dickey's resi-
lence.
Fighting blood was up. The crowds
med along the street facing each other.
md shouted defiance until they were
noarse. Every picturesque oath in the
Acadlan vocabulary was hurled across
he intervening space and then was
hurled back again with cuss word
acked on in addition. The good people
If Fort Kent naturally thought that
lere was going to be pitched battle that
would rival the Aroostook War. and they
prepared to stand from under. The po-
ice force of the village is very modest
md wasn't inclined to tackle that half
'razy crowd under any circumstances.
In a short time the fighting enthusiasm
rev to be so intense that the challengers
cot to pulling off their coats, blouscs and
,ests. These garments they piled on the
ground and jumped up and down on them
bouncing about like rubber balls end all /
he time letting out howls and oaths that
airly turned the air crimson. They were
inally persuaded to dispense, however |
before anything worse than few bloody
loses resulted.
Just how the Aroostook grand jury may
ook on the matters here detailed Is, OF /
course, not to be foretold. 1t Is also un.
certain as to what length the feud might
'xtend IL the authorities do not interfere
3ut people in Fort Kent are Inclined to I
believe that sooner or later when the |
Oupres and the Souciers are filed up or
White rum. they will fall to and chew up
half dozen victims Therefore there is