The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-26

Fsud between Two Northern Maine FamfIie.
to BE InvestIEated by tho Court.

to Bs Investigated by the Court.
FORT KENT, Me-, Sept. 2O.-Before the term
Of court which began to day ends the county
attorney hopes to investigate. through tho
Grand Jury, the outlawry that has recently agi.
tated the Madawaska territory, in the vicinity
of the st. John River.
The history of this feud, as given by the Bos-
ton Herald, follows:
The principal feature of tho trouble has been
the family feud Of the Dupres and Souciers.
These families live in q lonesome part Of Eagle
Lake plantation, far from the single county
road that stretches through the woods between
Fort Kent and Ashland. Each family num-
berB about O score, and tho hostility between
the two factions Is now 30 intense that when
ever thay meet at tho settlements or In the
woods o conflict is sure to ensue.
Recently both families attended service at
the Catholic Church of tho Eagle Lake parish,
and even during the hour of devotion made
hostile demonstrations. When the Souciers
started across Eagle Lake on their return to-
ward home. the Dupres faction pursued them.
and q fight ensued In the centre of the lake.
The congregation assembled ON the shore and
watched the conflict. The priest shouted COM
mands to cease. but both sides had their blood
up and fought desperately.
the boats being too unsteady for anv verv dan
aging blows to be dealt. Several of the COM
bntants were hurled into tho water. and one
or two came near drowning. but they either got
out safely, by their own exeriions or were pulled
out by their comrades. Thus fighting. they
On the further shore they again fell upon
each other. and though they were armed with
nothing, more dangerous than clubs they sue
ceeded In using themselves up pretty thorough
ly. At last the Souciers drove the Dupres of
and returned home through the woods.
later stole upon the Sonciers in the woods and
dashed upon them. Tho SoucierS. taken by
tEann their ass allan lied fed t io%ar aut their settles ties
ment. Their hwiftest sprinter was a youth
about 10 years old. He managed to get into
pursuers and tho pursued came tearing into
the clearing, Yelling and swearing. When tho
they fed, but the boy fired, woSnding several.
though not seriously.
ing aff air before tho authorities. The Souciers
II. fs1t of tho TRIP P.S Snd they sy;o too, set T. away for
t hi r"'f from ali u npA and d anssna tho P pIve syb b5tn
sides presented their grievances.
ayenging n terrible wrong perpetrated by one
Of the Dupres on a woman OF the Souoier fam.
lily. The claim was that Dupre had oyerthken the
assaulted her in order to maliciously grievo tho
family OF his foes. The Souciers also claimed
that, they were acting in self-defence when they
The Dupres told another story of persecution
dered 10 go to Houiton and appear before
the Grand Jury. ~ ~
After this hearing at Fort Kent had been
concluded tho two factions retired with their
sides soon became fired with "Morson," the
white rum common along the northern Maine
border, and later in the day met In the street
near tho residence OF tho veteran Maine legis-
lator, Major William Dickey. Here they formed
in opposing lines and shouted defiance for half
all hour, screaming and Cursing until the whole
village was terrified. Then they tore Off their
coats and threw them on the ground. finally
leapinE on the clothlng and bouncing up and
like bulldogs and fought ferociously.
Fort Kent's police force consists of a constable
that they could do nothing with The riotcrs.
SO the latter fought II out, to the great scandal
of the peaceful and better Acadlan element In
Fort, Kent. The combatants escaped with cuts
and bruises.
Tho, pGople along the st. John feel that I'M.
less the law deals severely with these warrino
elements, there will be further bloodshed.