Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-14
Shark Hunters Have
Incentive in Large
Reward at Matawan
Armed Searchers in Motor Boats Patrol New
York and New Jersey Coasts for Man-Kill
ers-Raids May Be Result of Starvation =
Nets Stretched about Bathing Areas

swimmers Of New Jersey within tho
past two weeks, two of them yesterday
in Matawan creek a shallow creek 16
miles from the open sea has been dis
PEELED by persons who actually have
seen half a dozen or more of the mon
Sters.
Shark Carries Part Of Body
A monster shark whose stomach con-
tanned part Of a human body, was kill
ed at Keyport. N. j.. today. according
to information received at the wealth
err bureau here from the observer at
Longbranch, N. J.
The shark weighing 300 pounds and II
feet long, was killed near the mouth Of
Matawan Creek, n. j.. and was I'M
doubtedly the same fish which yestcr-
day invaded the creek and killed two
persons, the weather bureaus inform
ant reported 50 80
Sharks, which formerly fed on food
thrown overheard from the many steam
ships which piled before the war began.
now have become ravenous, is one theory
advanced. Even those not ordinarily
classed as man-eaters, it is said, prob
ably have been driven by starvation to
lurk in the warm waters of the Atlantic
coast at this season and attack human
beings.
Three of the huge fish were seen today
in Mattawan creek and now are believed
to be bottled up there. Nets have been
stretched under bridge about a mile and
half from the mouth of the inlet to
prevent egress in Raritan bay A sloop
arriving from Bermuda was reported to-
night to have brought the heads of sew
eral sharks killed along the way, some Of
them off the New Jersey coast.
Terror Seizes Bathers
Terror has seized the multitudes Wild
have bathed at resorts along the New
York and New Jersey coasts and compar.
atively few now venture into the water.
At Asbury Park and other New Jersey
resorts wire nets have been strung about
the bathing areas.
DR.. George G. Reynolds Of Mattawan,
who attended Stanley Fisher, who was SO
seriously mangled in battle with a shark
yesterday that he died a few hours later
performed an autopsy on Fishers body
today.
He declared he found the flesh torn
by the man. eaters teeth impregnated
with peculiar poisonous liquid which
seemed to have deadening effect on
the nerves and muscles. This probably
explained, he said. why Fisher appar-
emily had little sensation of pain when
the shark took off his leg.
Little hope Is entertained for the re-
covery Of the body Of 12-year- old Les
ter Stillwell. the other victim of the
Mattawan creek tragedy. 1t is believed
that he was devourel by the shark, as
persistent dragging of the inlet and
dynamiting of the water have failed to
bring up the body.
Many conflicting stories were re-
ceived here during the day from va
rious points along the New York and
New Jersey coasts regarding the kill
ing of sharks, but only one appears to
have had any foundation in fact. This
was the news brought in by Anthony
Lundy. captain Of a fishing boat, who
said he had dubbed to death nine
foot shark weighing $50 pounds, while
cruising off Elberon. n. ]. A fisherman
reported tonight that he had tried
Vainly to kill with an oar a seven foot
monster which became entangled in his
nets. He said the shark tried to strike
his boat