Born: May 23, 1883
Died: December 5, 1947
Unmarried
Margaret H. Robear was a guide in the Gabriels/Paul Smiths area.
Malone Evening Telegram, December 8, 1947
Margaret Robear, Well Known Guide, Dies at Gabriels
Saranac Lake—Funeral services for Miss Margaret H. Robear, 64, Gabriels well known guide, who died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Elsie Wheeler, Gabriels, early Friday morning, was held in Gabriels this afternoon.
Miss Robear, who was well known as "Mag" to hunters and sportsmen throughout this district, died after an illness of only a few days as a result of heart disease.
Born May 23, 1883, in Keeses Mills near Paul Smiths. Miss Robear was a daughter of Zeb and Milena Roberts Robear. She received her education in rural schools in Keeses Mills and even as a young girl was ardently interested in fishing and hunting. When a grown woman she decided to make hunting her profession and became a guide. During her life time, which was spent in this area, [she] was employed as a guide for some of the best known hunters in this section. Until her recent illness she lived in a cabin on Rainbow Road in Gabriels, which she built herself.
The unique manner in which the home-made cabin was decorated has long been a topic of conversation here. A rare collection of birds and stuffed animals decorated the interior which contained other furnishings trimmed with wild-life decorators. Miss Robear is reported to have continued her work as a guide this summer although she has been in failing health during the past months.
Malone Evening Telegram, December 12, 1947
Noted Woman Guide Dies At Gabriels Home
The funeral of Miss Margaret Robear, Gabriels, who was one of the most outstanding women guides in New York state, was held on Monday at Gabriels.
Miss Robear was born May 23, 1883 at Keeses Mills, the daughter of Zeb and Malena Robear. She attended the rural schools of the section and as a young woman became an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. She started her guiding career as a young woman and had among her clientele, many prominent sportsmen who spent their vacation in the Paul Smith’s area.
Unidentified news clipping, 1947
MISS ROBEAR PASSES AWAY AT GABRIELS,
GABRIELS. Dec. 5—Miss Margaret H. Robear, 64, a resident of this village for many years, passed away this morning of a heart condition at the home of her sister, Mrs. Elsie Wheeler.
Miss Robear had been ill a short time. She was born May 23. 1883 in Keeses Mills, the daughter of the late Zeb and Milena Robear.
She was educated in Keeses Mill, and when a young girl moved to Gabriels to reside. She was an experienced guide and huntress and an ardent sportswoman.
The body is reposing at the home of her sister who is the only survivor. Funeral arrangements were incomplete this morning.
Unidentified news clipping, 1947
Services Monday for Margaret H. Robear
GABRIELS. Dec. 6 — A prayer service will be conducted at 10 o'clock Monday morning at the home of Mrs. Elsie Wheeler for Miss Margaret H. Robear, 64, who passed away yesterday.
The Rev. Father Thompson will officiate. Interment will be in Brighton cemetery. Pall bearers will be Halsey Brulliea, Halsey G. Brulliea, Hubert Brullea, Oscar Wheeler, Jr.. Richard Wheeler and Oscar Wheeler, Sr. Miss Robear had been a resident of Gabriels for many years.
From The Brighton Story, Geraldine Collins
Little Zeb Robare had built a log building that served as his home and also a hotel. Known as the Robare House it was located on the corner of the main road and the Rainbow road, across from the Riley store. This came into use in the period from 1890 to 1910. Robare's had a daughter known as Mag, who often accompanied Zeb on his hunting and fishing trips. She became a guide eventually, a thing unheard of in this country. She was considered one of the mountain characters and after World War I always wore men's clothes.
THE MOUNTAIN SPRITE OF THE ADIRONDACK
By H. L. Gallagher.
In the early days, before the railroad had penetrated the depths of the Adirondack Wilderness, a venturesome Yankey and his wife; bidding farewell to the hills of Vermont, crossed Lake Champlain and after some weeks of journeying through pathless forests, ended their quest for a new home by erecting a log cabin on one of the now famous St. Regis Lakes. This Vermonter became a famous hunter and guide, and his camp justly noted for its bounteous table and cordial hospitality; and in good season Paul Smiths came to be heralded far and wide as the mecca of the hunter and the tourist.
In time, other families chose home sites among these enchanting scenes. Some were Yankees from the East, many were French from Canada and the North. Of the later one family especially took prominence in matters of woodcraft; and no hunting party was considered complete without a Robear to act as guide. One member of this family of guides is reverently spoken of today as the “Old Guide” Of a kindly nature his must ever remain one of the cherished memories of this forest fastness. Typical of his surroundings, he was the best of entertainers; and story tellers; and he loved to recall the times when, in the old days, he had guided the intrepid Roosevelt, and others known to fame. He was a born woodsman and a great guide.
Possibly it was but natural, therefore, that in addition to the sons following in the footsteps of the father that a daughter should also accept “guiding” as a means of gaining a livelihood. At any rate, Margaret Robear became a guide, and what is more, became on exceptionally good guide. Born and reared and reared in the Great Woods, knowledge of its mountains and mirrored lakes, the life of nature, the secrets that lay hidden in these forest shades came intuitively to her. The rifle and the canoe were her constant companions, and the log cabin, her home. She grew to young womanhood amid the environments and the charming influences of nature. Her foot early learned to follow the fascinating course of trails where once the Indian trod with the panther’s silent step. And as close comrades in her daily life were the sparkling, birch-fringed lakes; the pine-clad mountains and the forests, dark and towering. Like Hiawatha in the story, she became,
"Skilled in all the craft of hunters,”
“Learned in all the lore of old men.”
And as, today, the Great North Woods presents in all its diversity of characters none possibly more interesting and picturesque than this little, French woman-guide.
My earliest recollections of Maggie must be when she was in late middle age, as her black hair was turning gray. She wore it cut short, like a man, and always wore men’s clothes. Only once did I remember her in a dress—she had a little party at her house which my parents attended. She was in the kitchen and I wandered out; she had moved a small rug; there was a trap door under it and that’s where she kept her booze. She said, “Don’t tell anyone,” and I never did.
Her house was tiny, where Collins is now, next door to Charly Reyome’s tavern. She never owned a car but walked everywhere in a brisk stride. She wore fitted pants and boots, or sturdy shoes, and a flannel shirt – seems like it was always gray.
During hunting season she guided hunting parties. Most of the hunters didn’t know their guide was a woman – she had a deep mannish voice, and no feminine foibles.
I don’t know how else she earned her living but she was independent. She took an ill lady, Blanche Miller of Jones Pond, under her wing and did all the heavy work for her. Mrs. Miller always called her “Margaret,” never Maggie. Even though she was small, perhaps 5’ 2” or 3,” she was wiry and strong.
Maggie also was a dowser. When my father was looking for water on his property (where Earl Stacy lives now) and not having any luck, Maggie made a dowsing rod and said: “dig here.” It is still a wonderful well with an abundant supply of water.
Everyone liked Maggie. She was a good person, asking no favors but always ready to help – a typical Adirondacker!
I wonder about her childhood and how she learned about the woods. Did she do it on her own, or did her father and brothers teach her?
By Alice Schrader Warner
Rainbow Lake
