Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-20
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A hsARTLEss HOAX.
Contemplate kttempt to Deceive Parents OIL
Late Richard Knight.

The Boston Herald, July IS, published
the following from the pen of a gentle
man who is familiar with all the facts:
A bold and INSCRIPTIONS attempt to
palm off bogus skull upon the afflict-
ed parents of a young man who sud-
denly disappeared, last October. in the
woods of Bemis, Me-, is the last chap
ter in the mystery connected with the
loss to his friends of Richard NJ knight
of Boothbay Harbor, Me.
Mr.. Knight, who was only 10 years of
age, was hunting with his friend, Mr.
Wilson, and, separating from him dur
ing the deer hunting, has never been
seen since. His father, j. Edward
knight, was at once notified and the
woods We're searched as the forests of
Maine are seldom searched for some
trace of the lost man. Not only did To-
cal guides, under the direction of Capt.
Fred Barker, proprietor of the camps at
which Knight and his friend were stay
ing, Systematically hunt through the
whole region, but nearly 1000 men, col
lected in the streets Of Portland, Lew
iston and other cities, and paid 81 per
day for their services. tramped through
the forests In platoons, led by eXper-
fenced woodsmen, thus covering every
rod of ground within five or six miles
of Bemis.
Among the local guides who assisted
in the search was man who goes by
the name of Buckskin Sam, a veteran
of the Civil War, who also claims to
have passed through numerous thrilling
adventures in all parts of the world.
To this mans log cabin, near Bemis
camps. came, about week ago. an In
dian of good appearance and some evil
dent education, who said he was edu-
Gated at the Hampton Institute and be-
longed to the Sioux tribe. This Indian
in conversation with Capt. Fred Bark
er. told him he was a solver of mys-
teries, and was possessed of a hidden
power to find out things concealed
from the ken of common mortals. To-
gether with Buckskin Sam, he passed
several days in the woods, apparently
making his headquarters in French's
lumber camps, about 112 miles from
Bemis.
a few days ago. however. Buckskin
Sam came hurriedly to the little log
station at the terminus of the Portland
& Rumford Falls Railroad, in Bemis.
and telegraphed to ]. Edward Knight
in Boothbay Harbor that the body of
his son had been found. Four or five
such messages have gone to the heart
broken father; but, clinging to the last
hope, he hastily took a train. accom-
panied by his wife. DR.. Blake. the fam
| lily physician, and Mr.. Wilson who was
the last to see the lost man alive.
Monday morning. the Indian under
| took to guide Mr.. Knight to the place
where the remains We're found. Others
in the party We're Capt. Barker. DR..
Blake. Prof. j. F. Moody of Lewiston,
and a representative of The Herald.
and Buckskin Sam. The solver of
mysteries" was found in one of the
lumber camps mentioned. which We're
formerly used by French in his lumber
ing, and after some strange acting. in
the course of which he repeated his
claims of supernatural power some one
asked him what reward he expected
for his services. and he replied piously
that God would reward him.
Requested to conduct them to the
place of his discoveries, he started up
the old lumber road. which he followed
to its terminus, and then, turning aside
a few rods into the thick woods. halt
ed pointed dramatically forward, and
said the relies were there. Il am
greatly affected by these things, and
cannot bear to go farther" said he.
Pushing on a few steps. the party
found a human skull lying upon the
EARTH and bearing evidence of having
been recently pressed down into the
soft earth.
A terrific thunder storm, just then
breaking over them, intensified the
dramatic interest of the situation, as
the father pressed forward to examine
the skull. He at once declared it was
not a part of his sons body, and men,
toned the teeth, which were all sound
except two incisors, which look as if
they have been picked out recently.
The front teeth all protrude in a way
that must have been a Disagreement
in life. The teeth of the lost man. ac-
cording to the testimony of his parents,
were considerably decayed. especially
in the rear of the mouth, and had sew
eral filings.
When DIR. Blake took the skull in his
hand to look at it. he at once called at
cheek bones, which is decayed by some
disease. which, in the opinion of DIR.
Blake, caused the death of the owner.
Everything in the appearance of the
skull went to show that it had been
many years since it formed part of
living body. No trace of tissue of any
sort adhered to il. and the lower jaw
was missing. The ear holes We're filled
with a sort of clay such as is never
found on the surface of the ground in
the locality where the skull lay in the
woods. suggesting to the members of
the party that the skull had been
| taken from some grave where it had
long rested
The Indian had little to say as the
gruesome object was being inspected.
only saying that it must be part of
young Knights body, and that he
would later find the rest of it. Prof.
Moody talked at some length with the
| Indian. who said he was a botanist,
but in the course of the talk displayed
great ignorance. He remained in his
temporary homo in the lumber camp,
IL,