Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-01
is STILL LIVING.
Peter LaFontaine, the French-Cana-
dian Poacher, Is Not Dead.
How He Was Shot and Went to His
Home.

woods. last spring, by Game Warden
Herbert Ternpleton.- but the following
from the New Y ork 'TribJtne of recent
date is of much interest:
Peter La Fontaine, the French Cana
dian poacher for whom the game
wardens of Maine have hunted in vain
for years, ana for whom they enter
tain a wholesome fear, is alive and
Well. Notwithstanding the various re-
ports that ne had died of gunshot
wounds inflicted last March by War
den Herbert Templeton, who. in COM
pany with Warden Houston, surprised
the poacher at his camp near Turner
pond and fired before he could touch
trigger. 1t is known and admitted by
the wardens that La Fontaine has been
in Maine since he was shot, but While
the wardens say that he remained only
long enough to gather up his traps ana
get back over the border, men who
have Just returned from the region
north of Moosehead lake say that he
did not 20 back to Canada, but is stu
in Maine and plying his former voca-
ton with as much boldness and sue
cess as before.
Many a trap had been laid for La
Fontain. and many a long chase the
wardens had given him, but all in vain,
until last winter the game commits
sioners. having received news that the
poacher was killing MANY beaver in
the region around Baker lake, detailed
Warden Templeton to go into that
country and capture him at whatever
cost. Templeton. a big, muscular
young woodsman ana guide, reputed to
be one of the most skillful and fearless
wardens on Commissioner Carleton 5
staff. at once prepared for the expedi-
ton, and when half way into the
noacher's stamping ground was Joined
by Warden Houston. This was early
in March. and on the 18th Of that
month. after many miles of travel on
snowshoes, the two arrived at lum-
Der camp where LO Fontaine had
passed a few hours previously. They
pushed on and soon came upon his
trail which was easily followed on ac-
count Of soft snow that was falling
ana the fact that he was drawing
handsed.
At dusk La Fontaine went into camp
in a shack on the bank of brook near
Turner pond. and while he prepared
his supper the wardens lay concealed
behind some bushes nearby. When the
smoke from the snack nd'i uleu StN d. ,
and it was evident that La Fontaine
had turned in for the night, the war
dens .crept up and, quickly throwing
orcn the shack door, surprised Peter as
he lay upon his couch Of boughs and
blankets with his feet to the embers of
his fire. AS Templeton, who stood in
the doorway, afterward described the
meeting, La Fontaine, whose quick cav
had caught the sound Of the latch as
il was lifted, had sprung from his
couch and was upOn his knees, rifle in
hand when Templeton's revolver COW
cred him. Before he had time to press
the trigger TempletOn fired, the bullet
passing in at the breast above the
heart and out back of the shoulder
blade.
The scene of the shooting was far
from any civilized spot in Maine. but
near to the Canadian border, and as,
in the Judgment of the wardens la
FOntaine could not survive the journey
to Moosehead lake on a tote sled, the
only available or practicable means of
conveyance it was decided to take him
to a lumber camp nearby, whence he
might have fairly comfortable passage
on a woods team over the border To
his home in st. Francis. Province of
Quebec He seemed to be badly wound
ed. ana he shared the opinion Of his
captors that he would die. and under
those conditions it was concluded bet
ter to send him home to his family
than to bring his corpse through the
wilderness to Noosehead lake.
So Peter La Fontaiue. bundled up il
blankets, went horne on 4 tote team tc
st. Francis. accompanied by lcggers
who knew him ana We're friendly to
him. and that was the last seen Oh
heard of the famous poacher for many
weeks-until the SHOWS had vanished
from the deep woods and the ice had
gone from the lakes and streams. The
Wardens thought that he would be long
in recovering from his wound. if he re-
covered ut an, and they sincerely hoped
that he would stay in Canada anC
trouble them no more. 1t was reported
from across the line that Ia Fontaint
himself had said that he was tired OF
lighting the officers. and that he woulG
never return to Maine, and this news
was heard with relief and satisfaction
by the authorities
But there appears to have been some
mistake about it all. In the first place
ia Fontaine's wound could not have
been very serious, for ii is known thai
ne was hack in the Baker Lake regior
early in the summer. accompanied by
one or twO friends. The wardens say
that he came. with one man to hell
him, gathered up his traps and Went
back 10 Canada, saying that he was
dore With poaching ana that he intend
"a TO settle down on his farm in st
Francis. there to spend his remaining
days in peace and plenty-plenty, as.
suredly, for he has property wortl
S20,o0o. On the other hand, the woods
men and others who come down from
the Baker Lake country to Northwest
Carry, at the head of Moosehead Lake
declare that La Fontaine came months
ago, accompanied by mis- son and
mlotherm man, and that he is again at hi,
old tricks, i'm open defiance of the law.
Whether or not La Fontaine is bach
in Maine is question that can be set
tied. only by another expedition after
him. IN the opinion of some woodsmel
the wardens will not go after tn,
poacher again IN a hurry. Their init
mate that the quest would be even dan
Serous than before, now that tn,
poapher has hapo warned If Tvs i,,.at,