Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-11

Among the MANY specimens of the
animal and bird life of Maine. which
are preserved in the department Of in
land fisheries and game, at the state
house, are two sets of antlers. which
once adorned the heads of two repre-
stntatiVts If Names largest game. the
ln"dIy moose. These antlerS aGOrn ono
Of the window castings on the east side
of the room. and are sure to attract the
attention of all visitors to the depart
ment. 1t il not their size, alone. which
attracts the eye Of the visitor. although.
they are larger than the majority Of
killed nowadays. for another point of
beauty about them is their regularity
OF formation. And then, again, the
finish on their surface is very fine. al
most giving one the impression that
they mad been Vanished. But their
appearance is not all that distinguishes
them from the many others which are
to be seen about the room. There is that
about them which the visitor does not
learn. unless told. They are not among
the more recent specimens which unite
10 form the magnificent collection. and
il IS doubtful if there are any older
specimens in the room.
Long ago. when what specimens that
The State owned We're kept in a
museum in the corridor that used to
occupy the space which now constitutes
the office of the Secretary of State,
those antlcrS formed a part of the col
lection. The story connected with
them is an interesting one and had
they beer set up as they were on the
day on which they were found. they
would have been much more of a
curiosity, as well rs more valuable
than they are in their present mount
ing. The ran who found them was
Oliver :. Adams. one OF the old and
well-known guides and hunters of the
State. ard whose home is at the Forks
Of the Kcnnebec. and when Mr.. Adams
ran across them in The woods, he found
himself upon the scene of what hal
! been a mortal combat 1t had been a
fight to the death between two moose,
! and in the struggle the antlers of the
two monarchs had become so inter-
locked that it was impossible for either
| to break away. 50 that death had come
to both.
1t will never be known if there was
& victor in the fight. as no human eyes
! were witness to il, but if there was. and
! either was killed in the encounter. the
victor was fated to die lingering
| death by the side of the vanQushed.
Mr. Adams secured the antlers, and
gave them to the State. but when they
We're mounted. instead Of leaving them
still locked. they We're separated, and
| mounted as they appear today. 1t is
said that when the antlers first came to
, the state house. they We're in the velvet.
ard that this covering. in gradually
wearing off. left upon them tho peculiar
glossy appearance. which distinguishes
them from the antlars which have been
| more lately added to the collection in
the room.
Hon Edward WiGGin of the eiuca ton
al department, who has been at his home
| in Pressure Isle. for few days past has
returned and was at his desk in the
department. yesterday. Mrs Wiggin ac-
,cempanied him to Augusta and will re-
main in the city during the winter
| Miss Pearl Cross of this city is en-
! ployed at the department of agricultu, Q
4, for short time. doing stenographc work.
and assisting the regular clerk, Miss