The following short article appeared in the February 20, 1913, edition of the Maine Woods newspaper. It shares an interesting story about some of the boys at the lumber mill in Reddington having a bit of fun at the expense of a salesman ‘From Away’. A few things stand out. One, that folks could keep a wild black bear without the Fish and Game Department not having a problem with it. And that the black bear enjoyed knocking back a few libations with the mill workers and that such fun could be had without the victim of the prank described below to not immediately employ the law firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe to sue the mill! We surely live in a different day and age.

This story brought back fond memories of Mr. Sargent who many years ago had regular bruin visitors stop by his home on Route 4 in Oquossoc for a cookie or donut that he handed out the window near his easy chair. It was quite a surprise the first time I saw it happen. 

Enjoy what follows and be sure to make some great Rangeley history of your own!

(Contemporary commentary shared in Italics).

February 20,1913 Maine Woods

Betsy the Bear Scared the Drummer

When She Looked Traveling Man in Face and He Fled Down Piazza Post Lightly Clad

‘Betsy’, the pet bear of the lumber crew at Redington years ago, was the subject of the conversation of the little group gathered about the fire in the hotel office. “Did you ever hear about the time we put Betsy in the same room with a traveling man?” Inquired a member of the party who was employed at the big mill at Redington at the time. A chorus of “tell us”, was responded at once. “It all happened one Saturday evening”, went on the storyteller. “We had been having a little ‘setting’ in the office, one of the members of the party being Betsy, who liked a drink as well, for the boys had trained her in habits objected to by the W.C.T.U. (Woman’s Christian Temperance Union) and other organizations of a like character. That evening we filled Betsy pretty full. Along towards 11 o’clock the travelling man was assisted, upstairs to bed. He was very tired and hit the feathers very soon after he got into his room, lying on one side. After talking the matter over a little we decided that it would be a good joke to put Betsy in the same room with the knight of the grip. So, we got her upstairs with some difficulty and into the traveling man’s room, where she stretched out on the floor at once. “Along towards morning, the bear must have become thirsty, for she awoke and searched about the room for water. Finally, she found the water pitcher, which she drank from by sticking her foreleg into it and then lapping off the water as it trickled down the long, shaggy hair. “After Betsy had satisfied her thirst, she thought she would take a look and see how the man in the bed was faring, she stood up on her hind legs, rather unsteadily, I presume, and then lunged onto the bed. The drummer was lying on his side at that time, but he turned over and looked right into the face of the bear as she stood with her front paws on the bed. The next moment the commercial traveler was out of that bed. He made a dash for the window, out of which he dove onto the roof of the piazza. Then he shinned down the nearest post to the ground and came running into the office without loss of time. All that he had on was his union suit and stockings. “Talk about a man being sore! He threatened all sorts of things, but after he got through yelling, he sat down and had a laugh with the rest of us. I suppose that it was a risky thing to do, “What became of the bear? Why, poor thing she froze to death one winter in Phillips. She was being kept by Mark Kenniston of that town. One day in mid-winter the bear came out of her quarters and drank a lot of water. When spring came she was found, frozen stiff.”

Classified Advertising

FOR SALE—The unusually staunch and able steam yacht, ‘W a-W a” of about 22 H. P. The U. S. Government inspection of 1911 showed her to be in first class condition. May be Inspected at Camp Bellevue, Upper Dam, Maine. Price will be reasonable to a quick purchaser. Apply to Dr. Norton Downs Fordhooke Farm, Three Tuns, Pa. Or Archer G. Poor, at camp.

FOR SALE—A tame deer. For particulars, address, C. W. Lufkin, Madrid, Me.

(I wonder if tame deer also had a drinking problem?)

FOR SALE—Baldwin apples 65 cents a barrel, without the barrel! G. V. Wilbur.

 (So, bring your own damn barrel).

WINTER PICKEREL FISHING the finest in Maine, through the ice. No license to pay. No limit as to the number of fish or pounds. One party took 7 barrels. (Sure, but were the barrels included?) Nice warm rooms. Hotel right on the shore of lake. Best of board. Daily mail. Tel. and Tel. connections. Terms only $2.00 per day. Write for any further information wanted.  J. G. HARLOW, THE FLAGSTAFF, Flagstaff. Me.

Wow, a warm room, 3 meals included, and you can make a call or send a telegraph plus enjoy some awesome ice fishing…ALL for just 2 bucks a day? Sacre’ Bleu! Two bucks in 1913 is the equivalent of equ $62.00 in today’s money. And today you can just forget about sending a telegraph out to let your friends know what a blast you are having for TWO BUCKS a day and to of course see if they want a free barrel of pickerel.

Have a wonderful week everyone! 

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