Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1877-07-15
MONSTER OF THE LAKE.
Great Salt Lake Presents n Reptile
Seventy Feet Long.


A correspondent of the Corinne
Record, writing from Keiton under
date Of July 9th, relates the following
story:
"0ur community has been thrown into
fever Of excitement by the discovery of
monster inhabitsnt Of Salt Lake. 1t was
once thought that no animal life could exist
in these waters, but all around tho shores Of
the lake can be seen species of fish or bug
that are very numerous. ami during a storm
are cast upon tho beach il great quant titles.
creating an insuferable stencil and becoming
serious annoyance to the immediate set
tiers. That some monster creatures also in
habit .he lake is now a fact established be-
yond dispute. but Of what kind is not yet az
certained. as the pf = bs saw the ono OF
which 1 speak were so frightened that they
can not give an intelligent description Of 1t.
But these are the facts as near as can bo
gathered: A few miles from town is bold
promontory jutting to the lake called Monu-
ment Point. around the base of which the
Central Pacific railroad is built, leaving
narrow strip Of land between tho track and
tho lake. which at this place is very deep.
On this strip of lard Messrs. Barnes & Co.
have erected extensive beili1g tanks, and are
eng aged in manufacturing salt. Thoy have
several men employed ard keep the lires
going day and nishs. The night hands have
frequently heard strange noises in the lake.
which could not be accounted for. Last night
however. about 10 O'Clock. they were startled
by a violent commotion in the lake. and peer
ing through tho darkness saw huge mass o.
hide and fla rapidly approaching. and whom
within few yards of the shore raised its
enormous head and uttered terrible below.
For n moment the men stood transfxed with
horror at the siSh ht Of the ugly monster, but
when sufficiently recovered from the shock
TO use their heels. tn fed up the mountain
with the utmost speed, where they remained
until daylight. Cautiously descending at
daybreak, the tracks or trail of the animal
were traced; rocks were found to have been
turned over by it. and in one place the
ground was torn up as if by immense claws
Mr.. Mcneil. one Of tho mon, says il looked
like a huge crocodile. about seventy feet
loHg. but the head more esembles that of
man. says all he saw was two great. big eyes
and a long tail: in fact. they both candidly
admit they were so frightened they hardly
knew what they we're doing. but went at once
nor stopped upon the order of their going.
The best idea that can be got from the de-
scription the men give OF tho creature is that
It must bs Of the species or genus Megalo-
saurus-those huge lizards the fossils Of
VIII eh Prof. Marsh found in ths mountains
just east Of here. and which wero thought to
have been long since extinct. All Is wonder
here since the men came in town and made
their statement. and several of tho citizens
have declared thsir intention to go down to
tho salt works and watch for this strange
monster, which is undoubtedly attracted by
the fires that can be seen far out on the lake.
Mr.. Wheeler. the black smith. is making a
harpoon which he designs attaching to the
rycks by a chain, and says if tho monster
comes ugain. he will give him one for luck.
aud trust to his heels for safety. append
the following affidavit of Mr.. McSeil
KuroS, Box Z DER County, U. T.-ss.
j. IA. Nc Gil, being duly .worp. doposes
and says: On the night Of July sth. was
WORKING ht thc shlL WORKS ut monument
Point. when about 10 O'clock | heard "a great
noise on the lake, and looking in that diree-
ton saw great animal like crocodile or
alligator approaching the bank. but much
larger than had ever heard OF one being.
II must have been ssv,nty-hve feet long, bat
tho head was not like an alligat0rs-it WAS
more like horses. When within few yards
of the shore II made loud noise and my
companion and fed up the mountain. where
We stayed all night. Whom we came down in
the morning we saw tracks on the shore, bat
nothing else. ). II. MCNElL.
Subscribed and sworn TO before me this 9TH
day Of July, 1877. n. b. FADDoS, j. T..
| will add, the workmen refuse to to go
back. preferring to lose their work. Twill
keep you advised if anything new occurs.
n.