Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-07
From the Wyoming Times Extra.
The silver Lake Sea Serpent-a fixed fact.

PERRY, August 2, 1855.
Yesterday, the lst instant, the existence Of a
monster Of fish serpent species in the quiet
waters Of Silver Lake was established beyond
reasonable doubt--if indeed there has been room
for doubt for week past.
~ about noon on Wednesday the monster was
seen by ut least half dozen persons from DIFF
ferent points Of view, from the upland adjoining
the lake. There were no boats out Workmen
on the farm Of MIR. A. Macomber, not half mile
distant-two young men visiting at Mr. NJ. : on
another part Of the farm, young man named
Merrill, of this village, from another point, and
part Of Mr.. NJ. : family from the upper window
facing the lake. All saw the monster, apparently
summing himself on the surface of the water
a description is impossible except Of his move
ments! lie moved and foundered about for ten or
fifteen minutes. The parties were from one
quarter 10 one-half a mile distant. The water
elsewhere on the lake, was a. smooth as glass and
there could be no deception nor optical delusion
in the vision Of the parties.
All concur in the statement that he is as large
round large log, and that 30 or 40 feet Of
him was visible.
Some Of them have no personal acquaintance,
and one or two are yet almost ready 10 disbeleve
their own senses rather than run counter to all
well established rules in regard to snakeology
For ourselves, VIC are forced to admit the fact
ofthe existence Of monster Of the serpent species
not escape the conviction and belief, unless we
dsbeheve merely because We have not seen.
We hope, however. 10 announce before long
that he has been captured. Every effort is being
made 10 accomplish that object One word more.
We assert, without fear Of contradiction, that
there i not log on nor in the waters Of Silver
Lake-that nothing has been placed there TO
create the serpent story-and that what is above
stated and what has appeared in the Wyoming
Times, regarding serpent in Silver Lake, has
been related 10 US by candid, honest and truthful
men and women-persons who have not hinched
from testifying 10 the facts given to the public
The same paper, in lis issue Of LIST August, con.
tans the afidavits Of several persons, among
whom two young ladies, TO the effect that
they saw tho serpent, while recently making an
excursion on the lake. letter is also published
from DR.. VI. G.. Smith, in which il is stated that
as far back as twenty ne or two years, Moses
Hunt, q Gcnescc village, while gathering flags
from the lake, FOR chair bottoms, perceived
an old log, as be supposed, lying in the deep
water some two Or three rods from him II looked
dark and moss-colored and was AZ long as 'one
Of the ielographc poles, beside which we were
standing,) but good deal larger Afoer little
while, being busily engaged, we heard great
splashng in the water, and thought At first that
some horses that were on the bank had got into
the lake. Pcrcevng instantly that this was not
80, hc looked where the sound came from, and
saw The WATER N GREAT coMMoTIoN, 4 DARK
onJrcT DIsAPrEARiNG ~ THE wATER-aNp nm
SUPPOSED loo WAS coSEl lie Immediately made
Tor the shore, much alarmed; and was greatly
provoked that his statement was received with in
credulous laughter by his men. Bg.fls-bg, ne
nersr rent h,re again gtter Gogs'
"Therc are several persons who distinctly re.
collect Of hearing Mr. Hunt tell this story NJ The
time"