Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-03-21
AlligatOr.Battle in New York

The visitors to the New Yorl
aquarium yesterday afternoon vii
messed novel and extraordinary com
bat between several immense Florjda
alligators. The huge reptiles opIv
arrived in town Yesterday mornin9
having been packed in big boyes
They We're placed in the great tank
where the white whale was wont r.
disport, the water having been first
drawn off. Two of the alligators ara
fourteen and one-balf feet long. 6va
are over nine feet, and the other five
range from six to seven feet. The
whole dozen were a remarkable gr0un
and, though chilled and stiff with the
cold, they were evidently troublesome
customers to handle.
While Mr.. Coup and Mr.. Reiche. the
pr0prlet0rS, We're consulting on tho
best method of warming a sufficient
quantity Of water to flood the tank
the alligators reused up and began ia
make things very lively inside of the
glass Enclosure.
One of the employees went in to de-
eide whether one of the largest rem
tiles was alive, he beiL so helpless
when first placed III Lne tank that il
was feared death had ensued. The
question had 10 be decided before the
flow OF warmed water was started
Mr.. Bishon quietly descended the lad
den, and, walking TO tie center Of the
tank, seized the big alligator by the
tail. Scarcely had he done so when
the most exciting scene ensued. The
dormant reptile at once raised his
ugly head, and, opening his mouth
snarled like an Infatuated bulldog
The sound had wonderful effect on
the whole group, and then ensued the
battle. Mr.. Coup, seeing that one of
the eight-foot alllgators was about to
seize Mr.. Bishon $ foot, called out to
him and ordered him to leave the
tank. lie complied rather unwil-
ingly, for 1t was evident trou-
bic was ahead. The alligator who had
been deemed dead became very lively.
and dashed his tail in vengefpl
mood. Happening TO see one OF the
nine-foot gentlemen, the latter was
enraged, and, swinging around like
lightning, with fierce Snarl sought
issue with his older antagonist Both
of the reptiles closed, their jaws in
terlapping, and the struggle that en-
sued was a fearful one. Two of the
smaller ones followed suit and began
fighting on their own hook. Blood
flowed flom the jaws of the two larger
ones, and general connection was
observable among the whole lot.
The visitors gathered round the
tank and viewed the battle with deep
interest. All four of the combatants
were evidently warmed up to their
work, and their contortions Were
frightful. Finally, Prof. Butler de-
clded to have a stream OF cold Cr0ton
water thrown on the fighting alliga-
tors. This acted like a charm, for
the sudden dash of ice cold watol was
evidently distasteful 10 the brutes, as
their jaws relaxed and they separated.
But 1t was only for moment, for
scarcely had the hose been taken down
before the largest pair began fighting
again. This time water had no effect,
and as one Of the alligatorS had seized
his antagonist by The fore foot and was
slowly tearing it off, more desperate
measures were deemed necessary. Mr..
Bishon accordingly re-entered tie
tank, armed with a long iron crowbar.
Cautiously pushing aside two or
three OF the smaller ones, he made his
way to the center of the Enclosure, and
by main force pried open the mon
ster's jaws, thus releasing the wound
ed one, who was glad enough to swing
himself clear of danger. 1t is expected
that two or three days must elapse be-
fore these saurian monsters will be
accustomed to one another, and
strict watch has TO be kept on the
group to prevent their killing each
other. Y. Her1ld.