The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-12-06
THE BIG SNAKE OF CANAAN,
CONNECTICUT.

a CORRESPONDENT of the Pough-
kcepsie Ddily Eagle denies the report
recently published in the Armenia
Times, that the big snake which has
furnished local sensation for Canaan,
Conr., has been shot, or that any one
attempted to shoot it, but declares that
an ordinary shot gun would have no
more effect upon it than a pop.gun on
an iron-clad, and man would be called
crazy who attempted 1t. OF its history
and appearance he gives the following
graphic accounts:
=" 1t has been seen every morning for
the last fifteen years in nearly the same
spot. 1t was seen but n short time ago
by a gentleman of the highest rcspecta-
bility, who is well known and no one
would think of doubling his statements.
His name is A. Doardman, a skillful
machinist, recently employed by Mr..
Ames in, the manufacture of his cee-
brated wrought iron cannon at Falls
Village. Mr.. b. was passing along the
highway where the snake had been gem
orally seen, not thinking anything
about it, when suddenly his eye caught
somethinglying under large elm tree,
which looked like the shadow of large
limb. Its shining brlliancy and the
real shadow Of the tree being opposite
from where from where the object lay,
the thought instantly entered his mind
that it was nothing less than the big
snake he had heard so much about, and
so it proved to be for it instantly start
ed for the swamp. The animal having
to cross road, he had fair view of
his snakcship. A thrill of horror
rushed through his veins as the mon
stcr crushed its way through the brush
with almost the speed Of lightning into
the swamp, and was almost immediate
ly lost to sight. Mr.. Boardman thinks
it would measure thirty inches around
its body in the largest place. In fact,
it appeared to be nearly of one size, eX-
cept three feet from the end of the tail,
which tapered considerably towards the
end. Its length he should judge to be
not far from twenty.cight or thirty
feet. Its skin was so black and bright
that it fairly dazzled. The farmers in
the vicinity complain less of the depre-
dations of the animal than formerly.
On the borders of the swamp where it
lives, Craze large herds of cows, and it
is among these that it gets its living.
| The owners of these cows have for some
time asst wondered why some of their
best mixers had failed to give their
usual quantity of milk; as it is only in
the morning the owners miss it, they
have come to the conclusion that the
snake sucks them, and thus gets its liv-
ing. 1t is well known that snakes are
fond of warm milk, and it is this kind
Of food, no doubt, that has caused thi.
one to grow to such immense proper
tions. There is Il reward of one hundred
dollars offered by a private citizen fo
its capture alive, and fifty if killed
There is a strong pressure bearing ol
the town authorities to offer reward
large enough to secure its capture o
destruction, and the subject will b.
brought before our annual town meet
ing the first Monday in October. Hun
Dire Is who attended, the camp meeting
lately held here came more fol the pur
pose of seeing where this monster snak
lived, than to seek for the straight ant
narrow way. Few could be induced t
stay on the ground nights for fear i
might make them visit.
1t was this one thing more than an,
other that made the meeting almost {
failure. One man has determined T.
sell his farm and leave the place. Hi
wife has already left and says she vii
never live on the place again until tn
snake is killed. There is a perfect pan
ic among the people, and what will b
the result time only can determine.