The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-08-08
4 California Man-Eatef. 2

/ 1a1aaI. -
&C. T.. Schumacher, of Garbsfeflle,
says the Eureka Times, has had che geod
orsbac lack TO have seen the = man-eat-
err Of Eel River, and sends the follow
ing repofs lsthe 7imes;. As some of
your reaiefs are sozneHs1as interested
in the big snake in the South fork of Eel
River, will give you some facts for
which twill Touch myself The snake
is not q snake, as reported, but an ami
NAL somewhat similar. | have seen it.
have fought it and conquered. As
have seen it,. and watched ittatelQse
range, vii giEe REQ a correct descfip-
ton, or as near as / can. IL You or
your readers can imagine you see a
crocodile, an, alligator, lizard or wa
ter dog, you can form as good an idea
of its looks ash can. ID is between
eight and nine feet long, the head is
about Seven inches broad, the body in
creasing slightly about. four feet back;
the back is oval, belly fiat, color white;
the back is about the color of a water
dog, with dark spots all over. For
about three and a, half feet. from the
bead back the tail begins and forms
round, and the end iswithoat point, and
looks as if it was cut of, leaves the butt
from one and half to two inches
across. The end of the tail is yellow
for. about two and a half feet. with dark
rings around it. Two web feet close
behind the head, the legs about three
inches long, the head is seven inches
across, and, shaped like a frogs; black
eyes as large as twenty-five cent pieces.
The animal, whatever it is,
moves like an alligator or. crocodile.
Last Saturday, or rather yesterday, |
left Garberville, coming down the South
Fork on my way to Rohnerville.- After
crossing the South Fork numerous
times, came to the last crossing, about
two miles above what is called Myers
Rancho. Starting my horse at the ford,
cast my eyes across the river to see
where the outcome was, and measured
the depth of the middle with my eyes.
was about seven feet in the river when
my horse SHE'D. Looking down on the
off or left side saw a strange sight;
head, shoulders and web feet of mon
strous animal under my horses feet.
Thinking my time had come and not
having timeto think of my sins, spur
red my horse to jump from there, which
he very readily did On looking back,
the water being clear, saw the mon
ster IN the place where L left it. TAX
ing courage, returned toward it with
in about four feet. l fired my single
barreled Derringer at his head and re-
treated in haste, but not further than to
watch his movements. Shortly after
my shot this animal rose, turned over
and fioated on top. The current being
very still it almost remained in the same
place, and then it turned over and
went down again. Seeing it was not
on the fight Il repeated I the
same dose twice with the same re-
suit, but the third time it came up
it kicked up a fearful racket, beating
the water with its tail and splashing it
over me, Not having more ammuni-
ton l withdrew from the battlefield. As
luck would have it, some Indians were
camped within hailing distance. When
they saw me charging back and forthpin
the river and shooting at something they
came running towards me. 3 They hap
pened to have a rifle and two bullets,
which they brought to me. The animal
towardsme. fhe first shot
I fired was Me shot, but came short
about eighteen inches, ( 4 loaded up as
soon as possible. BY this time the beast
had again turned towards me, and came
at fearful rate. Taking dead aim, |
fired. At the crack of the gun the ami
NAL made a terrible plunge and then
turned over, its head turning down
stream and floating towards deep water.
Not having any more ammunition Llfill-
ed my pockets with rocks, mounted my
horse, and followed the animal as close
as prudence would permit. fired rocks
at it, but it never moved. The Indians
would not go near the water, but prom
ised If it was dead they would skin the |
animal for me and save the hide For
all the above will vouch. s'This Is not
fiction. If | had known that was SO
close to habitation-withiff two miles
of Myerslf should have staid longer
with the beast, as it may turn out to be
quite a CURIOSITY 1-. .4H