Duke writes “Report details told by: Trapper: Howard B Leblank, a 54 year old trapper and hunting guide from Kenora Ontario.
This tale was told to Howard when he was a boy by his father a French Canadian fur trapper, from when he worked the area north east of Huntsville Ontario as a boy before Algonquin Park was a managed area. At that time the lumber trade was very active in the area. Leading to an influx of hunters and fishermen whom used the logging roads to gain greater access to the deep wilderness areas.
A father and son from Chicago Illinois, by the family name of Sears on a hunting trip for moose in the greater Mattawa river region. Guided by an Algonquin Indian / French Canadian Guide, Little Jack. ( probably a nick name ).
The guide little Jack was a Guide of some reputation in the region whom was known for putting hunters onto large moose and was much sought after, having made a name for himself guiding Rich tourist and visiting politicians from across Canada and the United States.
The year was 1894, the exact location was a lake ( name withheld ). Season October, Rutting season for moose. The best time to hunt bull moose, which congregate at that time of year to battle for dominance in the mating season.
The hunters and guide paddled the main trunk of the Mattawa River along the Ontario – Quebec border
taking a branch creek north into Quebec. On this two day trip many moose were seen but the Sears where looking for a true trophy and pressed Little Jack to take them deeper into the wild region. With hesitation Little Jack agreed to take them to a lake he knew of but explained to them that they would stay only in that area during daylight hours and would be departing by mid day as he had fears of some large beast that was reputed to frequent the area. The Sears took as superstition and largely discounted Little Jacks warnings.
On arriving at the lake Little Jack, laid down the ground rules for the days hunt. He instructed the Sears to stay on the south side of the lake and placed the father in a thicket overlooking a clearing that was bordered by the lake. The son was to canoe along the lake to the east and set up his hunting blind along a marsh area. Both men promised they would not cross the lake which was not wide at that point and the guide would go between the two men frequently. Little Jack was nervous and spent a great deal of time that morning being sure his charges were staying in they’re assigned hunting spots.
At about noon Little Jack told Mr. Sears senior to begin to get ready to leave promising to bring them back early the next morning. Then began to turn to leave but Mr. Sears Senior then pointed out to the lake. Little Jack turned to see young Mr. Sears paddling across the lake already very close to the other side. Little Jack began to run yelling and waving trying to get young Mr. Sears to turn around but the young man either did not hear him or chose to ignore him. It was at this time Mr. Sears Senior notices a large shape moving in the tree line along the shore of the opposite side of the lake. Thinking it was a moose he called out to little Jack whom at this point was about to land his canoe. Little Jack was frantic and turned to tell Mr. Sears Senior to remain silent.
Getting into the Canoe little Jack began to paddle as quickly as possible. But by this time Young Mr. Sears was already landing and pulling his canoe up onto the opposing shore line. Little Jack again tried to call young Mr. Sears back but the young man ignored his calls and walked into the woods. In the time it took for little Jack to cross the lake he heard the reports of young Mr. Sears rifle as several shots were fired followed by silence for a moment. As Little Jack was about to land his Canoe. Young Mr. Sears came running out of the tree line as if being pursued. Little Jack had no time to land his Canoe but raised his own rifle firing to shoot what ever might be chasing young Mr. Sears. A large upright hair covered beast emerged from the tree line after young Mr. Sears. In a few short steps the beast was upon young Mr. Sears and the beast reportedly decapitated the young man by grabbing him by the upper torso from behind and then with it’s other hand simply twisted the young mans head off.
Little Jack emptied his gun at the beast, but the beast did not fall instead it carried the body of Young Mr. Sears back into the woods dragging the body by a leg and carrying the young mans head in his other hand.
Little jack having no more ammunition returned to Mr. Sears Senior.
It is reported that Mr. Sears Senior insisted on going after the beast having witnessed the entire event from his vantage point on the opposing side of the lake. But Little Jack refused and almost had to drag the distraught Father away from the area.
When having reached they’re camp at the Mattawa river Little Jack insisted they pack and paddle to the nearest settlement which they reached by the following morning. It was reported to a local constable whom led a search party that included both little Jack and Mr. Sears Senior and several loggers and woodsmen to the lake where they searched for several days finding only Young Mr. Sears broken rifle and a short trail of blood at the actual area of death of young Mr. Sears. It is reported that the searchers all heard beastly screams and howls on those nights when the search would be suspended do to the coming of darkness and eventually they all gave up in fear as each night the screams and howls seemed to be closer to their camp.
Aftermath: Little Jack moved to the Huntsville area after that trip his reputation ruined, he made his living trapping and fishing and was said to have become an alcoholic, drinking away his money when he had any and living off land but never to far from town.”