Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-12
The Cardiff Giau,,s snake.

Onondaga county, N. T., seems TO have al
ambition to DO regarded as land of wonders
and wonder storieG. 1t is seldom very long
without something new and strange to be re.
ported and discussed. 1t had great days of en-
joymsnt, exaltation, and glory, during the reign
of its Cardiff Giant" When the "giant,"
after gradually undergoing slow and painful
change from wonder to humbug, crept away
into ebsourity and forgetfulness, the 0nond agas
felt greatly exhausted, and, for tire, were not
active in their favorite line. But they have re-
covered breath, and are now bringing out their
Hgreat snake" for admiration. For some years
this snake has been kept in pond near Bald
Winsyille. This pond is half mile long, with
high banks and deep water. AT one end it runs
into the woods and is full of timber and fallen
trees; here dwells the snake, and here it has
dwelt "for more than hundred long years p
and, Indeed, its age may verge towards two
hundred years" In size, it is equal TO anything
within the tropics. We quote from writer in
the Syracuse Standard:
"The monster was first seen, it now appears,
by Mr.. Bort, gentleman living near the pond,
in 1865. Also by Mrs Bort in the same year.
Mr.. Andrew Craver says he also saw his snake
ship some six years ago, while evidence does not
seem wanting to show that several other reliable
persons have since seen the monster. Mr.. The.
odore Daggett, gentleman who can be relied
on, and who, on Friday last, was blowing OF
the west margin of the pond, discovered some
thing remarkable just at the edge Of the water
on the west bank, basking seemingly, in the sun
stretched out, he thought, fully thirteen feet Of
the sand, the head turned southwark, and tn
balance of the object or snake, lying in the water
Amazed, scare1 and dumb-founded, he stood
observing the startling object before him. Mr.
Daggett states that after he had recovered from
his freight in part he observed the serpent twist
Tag his head first TO the west, then deliberately
to the east, the head and neck taking the direc-
tion Of curved lines; then slowly elevatRg its
head, snake-like, the monster collectively moved
on into the water. Mr.. Daggett was near
enough TO the snake to be very positive about
this most remarkable serpent. The snake took
course south toward his supposed haunt in
the heavy timber at the southern portion of the
pond. Mr.. D. says it swan with remarkable
agility, and was soon out Of sight"
And row, as in the case Of the Cardiff
Giant" not long ago, "there is intense excite
ment, and throngs of people" are hurryiug TO
the pond. The writer tells US chow the mon
ster liVes::"
'In May, 1858, 1t WAS rumored around the
snakes locality that some person or persons
had his pond for their pleasure ground. One
goose after another disappeared, so that the
flock was materially thinned out but no trace
could be found OF the missing property; the
presumption being that the geese had been
stolen. Subsequent 10 this, in 1854, on the east
bank, some quite large lambs were missed in
the fore part of June; but the matter relative
70 the loss OF the lambs dropped without any
investigation as to who had taken the property,
On the west branch in subsequent years it
seems also that in one instance at least, calf
two weeks old was missed, but it was said that
the butchers had stolen it; and 30 from time to
tlmes animals for which the tardy appetite of
the snake Graves, were missed; but until now
nothing has TRANSFERRED to indicate where all
tnat has been missed has gone. The whole
matter looms up plainly enough now, and the
bulcners and others charged with stealing the
geese, &C. are honorably acquitted"
1t is suggested by somebody that the snake
may have escaped from a menagerie which
visited that region twenty-eight years ago; but.
sven this, 1t is thought is much below the
greatness of the wonder. and besides, the men.
agerie's tropical serpent could not live there:
therefore, says the writer, 1--WE cannot counte
nance the story" We suggest that the "Car
dill Clan" when alive, used that pond fol
serpent culture" he may have lived on ser
pents, and bred them in the pond for his OWL
use. BY accident or cunning, one of his fayorite
monsters escaped capture, and remains there
70 this day. As the excitement has only begun.
We shall hear more on the subject In fact, the
writer rom whom we quote, says to the editor
Of the Standard: Another account will he sent
van soon