Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-09
A WHITE MOOSE.
Strange Freak Seen Near the Katah-
din Iron Works.
Il Was Full Grown Bull, Says M. A.
Cushing.

Bangor, Sept. S.-White deer have
been occasionally seen in the Maine
woods at rare intervals during the past
90 years but up to the present time
white moose has never been heard of
Yet this is exactly what Boston
camper ran across up in the tangled
spruce thickets in the vicinity of Chair
back mountain. near Katahdin Iron
Works. not many weeks ago. The
moose was full grown bull and in
color it was "a dusty white. The man
who saw him was NJ. A. Cushing of
Boston. 1t is believed by woodsmen
hereabouts that his experience IS
unique.
Mr.. Gushing is an ardent lover of the
Maine woods and he has spent several
weeks in the State for a number of
years past. For the past few seasons
he has been making his headquarters
al a camp on Big Houston pond, not Il
great distance from Katahdin Iron
Works, travelling off into the woods
from the home camp as his fancy might
dictate. Mr.. Cushing was IN Bangor,
last week. on his return home from his
his stay in this city he told the story Of
his curious adventure.
I've been up on Big Houston pond
for a number of weeks past" said Mr.
Gushing, and when / first arrived
there | commenced to hear stories of 4
white moose which was said to have
been seen not many miles from that To-
cality. | laughed at these stories ut
first and thought that they had oflgi-
mated in the mind of some imaginative
woodsman for there is nothing that
most of them delight in so much as
getting man from the city on the end
Of a good sized rope.
"As time went on. however. l con-
tinued to hear stories of this strange
white animal from almost every woods
man | encountered. At last l deter
mined to go out and look for myself
and see if could discover him.
Seeing is believing L told my
guide. and when I've laid my eyes on
white moose I'll believe that such an
animal exists Until that time,
though. | shall continue to doubt its ex-
istence.'
The next morning started out from
camp with my camera, hoping if | ran
across the animal to get snap shot 81
him TO take back home with me-
went in the direction of Chalrback
mountain where the white moose was
said TO have been last seen. i reached
a point about half way up the summit
nv noon without having seen anything
and sitting down l made ready to eat
| ,v tuncn when suddenly | saw some
thing.
First heard the underground to the
loft commence TO rustic and then, mag
| inc my surprise. when it parted ana one
| Of rho strangest sights | ever saw in my
life was in full view.
.rrhe white moose, for it was nothing
| e,se was a full grown bull and was one
| of the largest that l have ever SEEN ne
| was dusty white in color everywhere
save under the chin which was dir'S
brown. The moose appeared to be even
| more surprised at seeing me than was
| ar seeing him and at once turned ano
dashed hack into the woods. hau
/ nrasence of mind enough TO ralse the
ieamera and snap it just as he dlsap-
reared. Unfortunately the plate turn
"a out poorly and the animal IS not
won visible in the picture.
Mr. cushing announces that he W.T.
aturr 70 Maine during the coming
hunting season and endeavof 10 shoe. nv
white moose. Doubtless he VIII NOT "
| the only man to embark upon that en-.
ternrise. 1t is said that the carcass
80 the moose. when mounted properly
would he worth at least $1,000.