KARL ANDREW JACOBSON - ACADIA NATIONAL PARK RANGER, KILLED BY POACHER - 1938

Deaths In Acadia National Park;

Nov. 13, 1938


Park Ranger   Karl Andrew Jacobson, who is buried in Eagle Lake, Minnesota, was shot and killed by a poacher on November 13, 1938 while on boundary patrol in Acadia NP. The elderly poacher, who pled guilty and served one day in prison, mistook Jacobson, who was accompanied by his wife while on patrol, for a deer.

Ranger Jacobson’s name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in 1989 through the efforts of the NPS chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. He is also listed on the state of Maine Law Enforcement Memorial.

Ranger Jacobson, who was survived by his wife of six months, is buried in the Eagle Lake Cemetery (Block 61, Section 4, at the north end of the cemetery) just east of Mankato, Minnesota.

From all accounts Ranger Jacobson was well liked and respected, and an active member of the Bar Harbor community. His untimely death was a loss not only to Acadia NP and the NPS community, but to his friends and family in Bar Harbor and Eagle Lake.

Ranger Jacobson’s name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in 1989 through the efforts of the NPS chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. He is also listed on the state of Maine Law Enforcement Memorial.


Ranger Jacobson, who was survived by his wife of six months, is buried in the Eagle Lake Cemetery (Block 61, Section 4, at the north end of the cemetery) just east of Mankato, Minnesota.


Acadia National Park
November 17, 1938
Bar Harbor Times

PARK RANGER JACOBSON DIED LAST SUNDAY

Karl Jacobson Accidentally Shot At Schoodic Last Friday

Fatally wounded while on patrol duty at Schoodic Friday, Ranger Karl A. Jacobson of Acadia National Park died at the local hospital Sunday morning.  Mr. Jacobson was accidentally shot by George Dyer of Bunker's Harbor, who mistook him for a deer.  Mrs. Jacobson, who was with her husband at the time of the accident, drove their car to the Radio Station for assistance, and Ranger Jacobson was brought to the Mount Desert Island Hospital for surgical treatment and transfusions.
Mr. Jacobson was 22 years of age.  His home was in Eagle Lake, Minnesota and had two years work at the University of Maine.  Previous to his coming here, he did work for the state in the biological survey in Calais.  Ranger Jacobson has been on duty here as permanent Ranger since last May.
Ranger Jacobson is survived by his wife to whom he was married here  in June and by his parents.  Prayers were said by the Rev. J. Homer Neison on Monday, after which Mrs. Jacobson left for Minnesota, where funeral services will be held.  she was accompanied on the journey by chief Clerk Carl G. Nowack of Acadia Park.
Zeal in his work, interest in Scouting activities and a fine personality combined to make Ranger Jacobson popular in all town circles.  The sympathy of the community is extended to his family;  a host of friends are grieving by his death.




Acadia National Park
October 5, 1939

CHANGE SENTENCE GOULDSBORO MAN HELD FOR KILLING

George Dyer of Gouldsboro, convicted of the slaying of Karl Jacobson, Acadia National Park Ranger, and sentenced to eight months in jail at the June term of the U.S. District Court this year, had his sentence revoked in Bangor on Monday by Judge John A. Peters, and was ordered to serve one day, age and poor health of the respondent being given as the reason for the judicial leniency.

Jacobson was shot and fatally wounded by Dyer while he was hunting in Acadia National Park region in the vicinity of Winter Harbor last November 11.  Dyer was arrested and faced charges of having hunted in an unlawful manner, without due caution and circumspection, and having killed a human being.  He pleaded guilty when arraigned.