The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-02-07
Two Hundred Disappear
in Maine Woods for
Winter.
Endure Terrible Sufferings
and Some Die of
Insanity.
In Dazzling Snow Many Go
Blind for Several
Weeks.

LEWISTON. Me, Feb. As ;he for
ests Of northern Maine took on their
winters covering of snow and turbu-
lent wilderness streams were hushed be-
meath the firm ice which Will not disap-
pear until nearly June. 200 men on more.
each with his lOw-bOdied sled, bearing
his meager supply OF salt pork. riOur,
Indian meal, coffee, pepper and salt
shift OF Undertaking and stockings,
and about a hundred traps OF various
sizes and uses. set forth into that re-
glon which is beyond the pleasure
grounds OF the sportsmen O. the opera
lions OF the loggers.
Tney are all that remain in New Eng
land 10 typify that army of hardy trap
pers and fronuersmeu who. a genera
ton past, forged into the wilderness 10
trap fur-bearIng animals.
Nearly all OF them are Indians from
The OldtOWn and other reservations OF
French halfbreeds.
Each is consumed with the desire 10 be
the fortunate one 10 capture an elusive
black fox, whose pelt brings from $500
To $500.
Taking Long Chances.
II is almost the gamblers spirit that
lion that one fox of this variety is cap
tured in Maine each year.
AS the result of the labors Of this
small army of men. the skins OF 100
bears, 90 lOup cerViers, 500 offers, 1000
fisher cats, 90 900 foxes % coo skulls.
ana l-5.o0 muskrdts are 'aken la Maine
each year.
Like the pelts OF the black fox, those
or the silver gray foxes, which are val
ued as high as 5000, are taken by Rus
sian mobiles.
With his pack. Weighing about 80
pounds, securely strapped 10 his sled,
the trapper starts forth tor his five 10
seven months lonely life, well knowing
that II he is SO fortunate as TO escape
IrOwling beasts he may become a victim
OF insanity from his lengthy exile from
civilization, or may succumb 10 hunger,
Each year IL is figured that at least ten
thus end their lives
Brave Men Without Fear.
But there is little fear in the heart Of
the men as they so forth over the snow
and ice To test their skill against the
elements and the wilderness.
Every trapper relies on the FISH ana
animals he captures for bait for his
traps and for "a good portion Of his own
food. Others prefer fresh pickerel TO
any other food, while minks like raw
muskrat best.
Fisher cats are very careful about
what they eat One OF these animals
may DE- starving for food. but will not
go near a baited trap all winter; but
let the hunter cut a hole a few inches
deep in the ice of frozen pond and See
crete his trap within IT, leaving a few
frozen pickerel living about. and the
cautious beast will drop his foot on the
waiting spring nearly every time.
Bear Capture Means Feast.
The capture Of a bear means a feast,
while the discovery OF a store of wild
honey is hailed with delight. If a
trappeT feels like giving himself a treat
he either makes "a ball of -four dough
and fries il in salt fat or cooks an in
spring hOeeake among the ashes.
In the dazzling glare OF February he
often goes snoWblind for weeks at a
time, the only CLEAN Of light he re-
Ceives coming 10 him through two mar
row Sits IN huge spruce goggles which
he whites out OF rough wood
BY March l the fur has become so
thin that the trepper packs up his slt-
nj. piles his peltry on his sled Snd
trudges for the nearest settlement
His flrs sold Tor $500 perhaps "A few
hundred more, he begins To rub should
erS with civilization and entertain de-
sires to assemble about him ali the con-
genial spirits which his roll will sum
mon.