The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-07-23
"a HIDBOUS MONSTERs
a Huge serpent Relieving In

The Triune (TennD correspondent of the
N ashville Banner, writing on the 9Th, tells
the following marvellous story. Al most
surprising circumstance occurred in this
neighborhood last Friday. About twenty
five years ago, as a Mr.. Vernon was return
ing from his workshop near Lindalls mill,
on the Franklin and Murfreesboro road, at
the foot of one of the range known as
Burke's hills, he saw the track of some
immense serpent leading toward a large
thicket. IL measured nineteen inches across
and seemed TO press into the dust as if a
great weight had passed over il. He col
lected the people next morning, aud we'll
armed, they madea search for the monster,
without success. About ten years after
ward his track was again seen, about a mile
nom the former place. Five years later, n
Mrs. Barnes saw the monster lying along q
cabbage row, but was 80 badly frightened
that she was unable to form a conjecture as
to ITS size. The snake disappeared, leaving
it's immense trail.
Nothing more was seen or heard Of the
snake before or during the war. Il re-
manned for w. S. Robinson and J. w.
Lislo, Of this place, to catch the next
/ glimpse Of him. Last Friday they were
riding toward Nashville and as they near
ed tho gap Of the Burke Knobs, they saw
what they supposed TO be a large pole
stretched across the pike. To their sur
prise they saw the supposed pole, when
within GO or 70 PAGES Of 4, suddenly raise
its head above the top Of the fence on the
side of the pike, and moving
slowly over it. As soon as he had got
about one hundred yards into the field.
they passed beyond him and quickly cot to
the top Of the hill, some two hundred yards
above him. The serpent quietly pursued
his way, which lay about half WY down
the hill side, through the field, until he
came to the bushes in the woods.
Here he stopped awhile, aud lay very
quiet, gntil the gentlemen began to think
he had put up for the day. But they wait
ed patiently above, ready for a quick retreat
should he start toward them. He remain
cd here nearly two hours, when he raised
his head fifteen feet looked around slowly,
aud resumed the same course through the
woods, with the head erect. This position
he did not change for nearly half n mile,
when they saw him dart suddenly forward
with great velocity, and strike toward the
ground When he again raised his head
he had hare in his mouth. He halted
here awhile, and, lowering his head, they
supposed ne swallowed it, for after remain
tug down q few minutes he raised his head
and moved slowly forward.
The woods here becoming open they had
q fine view Of his size and length, and were
able TO come 10 some conclusion as 10 their
course, they determined to watch him to
his den, and if possible effect his capture.
They kept in sight at n safe distance, until
they passed what is known as the Morton
graveyard hill, when the serpent passed
through the gap beyond that, and direct
ed his course in q westerly direction.
When the ground WIS clear Of obstruc-
tons he travelled with his head near the
earth, raising it as he approached a fence
or bushes. They followed him up near
two and n half miles until he came to a
large hill, very rocky and PERCEPTIONS, with
numerous fox holes in its sides. When
about half way up the snake stopped in q
perfectly open place, and after looking ali
around he gave forth n low, believing
sound like the suppressed lowing Of a COW,
and then thrusting his head into q hole
that was invisible TO them, he slowly drew
himself into il.
Mr.. Robinson now remained on guard,
while Mr.. Isle, with the assistance Of Mr..
Thomas Burke, quickly aroused the neigh
borhood, and coming to the place, each
with q large rock in his arms, they quickly
stopped up the hole. 1t was about two
feet in diameter, and seemed, from the
place being worn smooth around, TO have
been occupied some time. MIR. Burke had
noticed the hole frequently, and supposed
it to have been occupied by ground-hogs.
All yesterday was occupied by the neigh
bors in constructing a long box, OF heavy
two-inch planks, one end of which was
thrust into the hole. and rocks piled around
il, the other end crossed with iron bars, so
as not 10 obstruct the light. Asliding door
next the hole, and n piece Of mutton at the
far end. attached 70 the door by triggers.
gives them hope that the monster may be
Gagged. The box is fifty feet long, and
about eighteen inches square, and heavily
boltcd together. The gentleman thinks the
serpent IS fully 80 or 40 feet long. and
about s or 10 inches in diameter.
TRIUNE, Tenn, July S, 1861 hasten,
agreeably to my promise, 10 inform you Of
the success we met with in our attempts to
capture the "big snake The box Was
watched at various times through the day,
but nothing was seen or heard of him I'M
til late Monday evening, when Il Mr.. Pal
more, who lives near, visited it, and as fa.
miliarity with danger lessons fear-having
been there 80 often and seen nothing-he
carelossly threw himself befole the open
end, placed his face 70 it and looked in, but
only looked, for there, within three feet of
his face, was q pair Of blazing eyes, like
conls Of fire, gluring at him. He didn't
stop to see how large the head was, but
threw himself down hill with such head
long speed as 30 catch a series Of falls. in
one Of which he very seriously injured his
head. Had It not been for this accidental
visit of Mr.. Palmore, he would very quick
ly have taken the bait. But it seemed he
gotta scent Of il, for, Gs the sequel shows,
he soon came back. This morning Nh.
Thomas Burke got up when it was fairly
light, and while putting on his clothes he
heard the most singular noise-a low, deep
believing, quickly given, and then a crash
ing sound He ran 10 the door and looked
out to see the cause. 1t was quickly reveal
ed 10 him, ior, after a tremendous crash
as Of II breaking tree in the direction Of the
trap, he saw a monster coming down the
hill with the most frightful leaps and
bounds, writing and twisting his huge
body as If in great pain. He passedacross
the road about two hundred yards north Of
Mr. Burke's, sweeping down the fences
and other obstacles in his pathway. But
this Mr., Burke did not see, for with the
first glance at the serpent, consciousness
left HIM, and he remained for some time in
commissions from the fright.
1t was late in the day before any one
would venture near the trap, but at last
some went up, and they found it lying with
Que end still in the hole, but the other riy-
en- as if struck by lightning, some Of the
bars Of iron being found full Atty feet of.
Thus the capture is a failure, and the SER
pent is again at large, and the country ex-
cited to the last degree. Many speak OF
leaving the n~eighborhood for the hills, and
serious ieaIs are entertained of the effect
on the mind of Nh. Burke. No one sup
posed for q moment he would be able to
break the immense cage prepared for him
it would have held n lion. But we miscal-
culated his power, and be is free.
j. L.'ScALEs.