Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-09-01
IS. OLD SERIES, VOL. 10. NO. 40.
A MONSTER SNAKE TAKEN,

| says, the silver Lake Serpent has been cap
turcd. lie writes from Ferry Village, Aug.
18th, ard says
Daniel Smith, ah old whaleman, came hero
about two weeks since, after hearing OF tho
appearance of the creature, and while here
had the good fortune TO see him. He imme.
dlatey sent to New York for an old ahipmate
OF his, and his "irons,' and on Friday last
both arrived with harpoons. cordage and
everything necessary to catch monster -
Many strangers, who are stopping at the
Walker House, in this city, attracted to this
part of the country by the excitement IN re.
gard TO the monster, and who had obtained
no glimpse OF him, laughed at them TOR Their
pains; but they kept on with their prepara-
ti0ns in spite Of sneers and ieers. Boats
have been stationed all over the lake for up
wards of eight days, and the two whalemeu
had n sharp lookout kept all the time beside
watching themselves.
This lake has several outlets, the largest OF
which rms through this village and hnaliy
empties into, or becomes, Gcnesee River. III
the vicinity Of this outlet he was seen hrst,
and on Sunday he came to the surface, DIS
playing about thirty feet of his long, sinuous
body, remaining however, but very few mo.
ments. The boats were on the watch all
Sunday night. The Whalemen had l,20O
feet of strong whale line in their boat the
end of which ran ashore and fastened TO
tree On Monday morning everything was
on the alert. The shores were lined with
towns-people and strangers, and everybody
seemed very much excited. About . o'clock
the animal made his appearance between the
whalemen's boat and the shore, revealing ~
or 80 feet of his length. He lay quiesceut
upon the surface. when the whalemens boat
moved slowly towards him-Mr. Smith, of
Covington. posing Lilly-iron in tie air, 70
Lilly iron is patent harpoon, a heavy cutting
knife being attached by the middle to tho
end of the iron by rivet. As soon as the
knife enters the body Of an animal this move
able blade turns at right angles to the wound,
and being entirely blunt and fat on one side
it is impossible to cxtricute it except by cut
ting out.)
When they had got about ten feet from the
animal the iron whlstlcd through the ar ana
went deep into his body. In a moment tho
whole length Of the monster was lashing the
air at bound revealing his whole enormous
length. and then making the water boil IN
every direction, he decribed rapid, foemlnS
circles and ares Of circles, with such swift
ness the eye could scarcely follow him.
Then he darted off in another direction to.
wards the upper part of the lake I sudden
ness OF his movement almost dragging tho
boat under water. Line was gradually given
him, and after the space of half an hour, 1t
was plain that his strength was almost. OK
hausted. The whalemen then came ashore
and gradually hauled the line in. The body
was within so feet OF the shore, when renew.
ed life appeared to have been given him, and
with one dart he carried nearly all the ine
| out This was his last great effort lie was
slowly dragged ashore, amidst the widest ex-
citement and tumut ever know in the vcinl-
| ty of Silver Lake.
Four or FIVE ladies tainted upon seeing tho
monster, who, although ashore, was lashng
! his body into tremendous folds, and then
strengthening himself ont in his agony, with
a noise and mower that made the very earth
tremble around him. The harpoon had gone
entirely through thick muscular part OF
/ him, about eight feet from his head.
The snake, or animal, is tilty-nine feet fve
inches in length, and is q most disgusting
/ looking creature 4 thick slime covers its
hideous length, a quarter OF an inch thlck'
which, after being removed is almost Instant
ly replaced by eXuudaton. The body OF this
creature is variable in size. The head Is
about the size of a full grown calfs; within
eight feet of the head the neck gradually
swclls up to the thickness of foot in diane
ter which continues for fifteen inches, and
then tapers down the other way, constantly
increasing in size, however, as it recedes from
the head, until the body of the monster has
diameter of over t,co feet in the centre, giving
a girth of over six feet. 1t then tapers Oh
toward the tail. which ends in q fin which can
lie expanded in the shape OF q fan until it is
three feet across, or closed in sheath
Along the belly, from the head TO the taih
are double rows Of fins, foot in length-not
opposite each other, but alternately placed
The head is most singular affair. The eyes
are very large, white, staring and terrific
Attached TO the edge of the upper and lower
lids, which are like those OF human beng.
Transparent film. or membrane, is seen, which
! while il protects the eye of the animal, does
not interfere with its vision. lie has no nos
trils OF gi!ls. apparently. The mouth of this
serpent, or whatever il may he, is underneath
i is almost a counterpart Of the mouth of the
fish called a sucker, possessing the same val
vular power pursed up---but II can be
stretched SO MS TO take IN a body ol diameter
Of foot or n foot aud half. NO teeth can
be discovered. \ hard bony substance eX-
tends in two parallel lines around the upper
and lower part Of the head His color Is
duskv brown on the sides and back, but un-
derncath OF the belly il is of dirty white
II is sinuous like q snake, but has along ITS
back, and on each side, q row Of hard sub
stance. kuot-lke in shape-the largest raised
four inches from the surface OF the body, ex-
tending from head 10 tail.
The news Of the capture spread Ike Wiid
, fire and before night hundreds ana numerous
, of people from the neghbonng towns ana
villages had collected to see tins wohuer'T
The animal still has the harpoon ia nun nun; ~
passed IS, through The muscular portion Of the
back and touched no mortal part ne iIes III
The water an Ingenious contrvahGe OF ropes
HAVING S @ been n placed on him while he was on
shore. keeping his body in curve, prevent
ing him from getting away or proving aan- n
grrous. He can use bnt his head ana tali,
SitI mich he occasionally stirs up the water
all n,,out him for rods. lie keeps his head
npder mn water except when he rears II up as e., !,
looking around, and presents a most rearlul
asnect7 Whea rearing be expands his mouth
ana exhibits cavity blood-red, most terri
ble TO look upou. As lie does this ar rushes
forth with a heavy short pull | have no
more time TO write you. The hotel is fun
and people have great great diuicuity IN get
tine In tbe village, Some of them go up to
CASTLE 10 get their meals. The whalemen
contemplate keeping the monster in his pres
ent posItion until an agent of Mr.. Barpum
arrives, who has been telegraphed, he ID
expected tonight.
| After reading the above account we are 10.
voluntarily compelled to exclam sWhat
| humbno new has RarnuYn NOW 10 aet 90 Tho