Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-07-12
PHERDSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY VIRGINIA. SATURDAY, JULY L. 1879
CALIFoRNIA's SNAKE STORY.
A MONSTER FORTY FEET LONG AND AS
THICK AS A BARREL.

On the 18th of August, 1865, the ser
pent was first seen in the vicinity OF
Zane's ranch, near Spring Valley. Sew
eral persous-reputable people-saw the
monster on two or three occasions, but
always at a considerable distance-nev-
er nearer than a quarter of mile. The
reptile created the most intense excite
ment in the neigbborhood, and at one
time the getting up OF party to hunt
it down was strongly agitated. What
were then thought to be the most ex.
travagant stories regarding the size OF
the serpent were told, but recent events
prove that the truth was not exagsera-
ted. The snake was seen in an open
field in broad daylight, and described az
"being from forty to sixty feet long,
and as large around as barrel. The
mark of the monster in the dust where
it crossed the road bore witness to It's
immense proportions. There was diff
ference of opinion regarding IFS method
of locomotion, some maintaining that it
progressed by drawing itself into im-
mense folds, after the manner of cat
erpillar, while others were equally GER
tain that its motion was similar TO 9TH
ers of the ophdian family. The serpent
disappeared for several months and was
seen by Mr.. w. p. Peck, of this place,
while coming up the hill from the Gwin
mine. Mr. Peck was driving 4 two
horse team and had got about halfway
up the steep hill that has to be assembled
in leaving the mine, when he heard
what he supposed was the loud "Screech-
ing" noise sometimes made by wagon
brake. Certain that team was coming
down the grade, and being favorable
place for passing, he turned ont of the
road. After waiting until out OF pa
tence, and no team appearing, he drove
on. He had gone but short distance
when a movement in the dense chap
parral that lined the road attracted his
attention, and, glancing in that direc-
ton, he was Mortified by the sight OF
portion of the body of an immense ser
pent. AT the same time his horse be-
came unmanageable, aud while MIR.
Pecks utmost endeavors were put forth
to prevent the escape Of the frightened
team, the monarch moved slowly off
into the brush, making the Kissing
sound he had mistaken for the brake of
an approaching wagon. About year
subsequently the serpent was seen by
couple of boys in the vicinity of Mos
quito, the youths being so badly fright
ened that they could scarcely reach
home and tell the story. Such is briefly
The story of the Calaveras serpent up to
Saturday of last week. when the expe-
riences had with il at once settled all
doubts as 20 its reality, and fix the fact
beyond question that one of the largest
boas of which we have knowledge has
its residence in this county.
A Frenchman named Raud makes the
following statement of his experiences
with the serpent, to which he aud his
partner, f. C. Buylck, express their
willingness TO make affidavit. They are
both Frenchmen, and are engaged in
cutting wood and burning charcoal.
Mr.. Raud had shot and wounded hare,
which be followed into thicket, and
thus tells the story:
had proceeded twenty-five yards,
perhaps, when | emerged into an open
space not to exceed thirty feet in diam
e.er. As | entered it the hare dragged
itself into the brush on the opposite
side, and | quickened my steps in pur-
suit. Almost at the same instant | was
startled by loud, shrill, prolonged hiss,
a sound that closely resembled the es-
cape of steam from the cylinder OF To-
comotive when starting heavy train.
| stopped as suddenly as if my progress
had been arrested by rifle bullet, and
looking towards the upper end OF the
plat my eyes encountered an object, the
recollection of which, even now, makes
me shiver with horror. Coiled up not
more than twenty feet from where /
stood was an immense serpent-the
most hideously frightiul monster that
ever confronted mortal man. 1t was
moment before my dazed senses could
comprehend the dreadful peril that
threatened me. AS the truth Of my
terrible situation dawned upon me, my
first impulse was TO fly but not limb
or muscle moved in obedience to the
effort of my will. was as incapable of
motion as if had been hewn in marble.
| essayed to cry for help, but the effort
at articulation died away In gurgllng
sound upon my lips. The serpent lay
in three great coils, its head, neck and
some ten feet of its body projecting
above, swaying to and fro in undulato-
ry, sinuous, wavy convolutions, like the
tentacles of an octopus il the swift cur
rent of an ebbing tide. The monster
stared at ne with its great, hateful, lid
less eyes, ever and anon darting its
head menaclngly in my direction, thrust
ing out its forked tongue, and emitting
Kisses so vehemently that felt IFS bale
ful breath upon my cheek. Arching its
neck the serpent wonld dilate its i'm
mense jaws until its head would meas
ure at least eighteen inches across, then
dart toward me, distending its mouth
and exhibiting its great, hooked fangs,
that looked like the talons Of yulture.
As / stood in rnoinentary expectation OF
feeling the tusks and being crashed in
the constructing fold of the scaly mon
ster, my situation was appalling beyond
description-beyond the conception Of
the most vivid imagination. The blood
ran down my back cold as Greenland