The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-01
Florida AlligatOrs.


The alligators are mostly Of the redeyed
species, which are noted for their size and
ferocity, and when met on land are not much
disposed to turn out of their course for any
thing; so that not many people care to meet
them in their rambles. An immense fellow
who lay about two hundred yards from the
shore allowed US to paddle within one hundred
feet of him, so that had fine view of his
VICIOUS eyes and general ugllncss. 1t was
fully two feet from his nostrlls to his eyes,
and he must have been nearly or quite twelve
feet long. As we approached nearer he set.
tied slowly out of sight, sinking so easily as
not to cause ripple upon the almost CLASSY
surface of the waters, as he disappeared.
it seems that these strange creatures are al
most as much at home on land as in the wa.
ter and, contrary to my previous understand
ing Of their habits, they are frequently found
a mile from any body of water especially at
night, when they wander about from one
pond or lake to another. They are very de.
structlve Of stock, and are especially tond Of
hogs and, as all stock runs at large IN this
country, they catch great numbers of them
Calves and yearings are also tavorite diet
Of those monsters, and even full grown cows
and steers are frequently pulled into the lake
by them and devoured. Whenever you see a
bOb.tailed cow in Florida, which is not I'm.
frequently the case near the numerous lakes
and ponds, it is safe to presume that she has
been wrestling with an alligator and would, if
she could" tale unfold"
A gentleman living about two miles from
Lochloosa Lake told me that on one occasion
he was driving lot OF cattle across stream
that emptles into it, when all at once they began
running and believing. Running forward he
saw an immense alligator had seized year.
ling, not by the tail, but by the body, being SO
large that he had actually grasped the year.
ling's body In his mouth, as pig would an
ear of corn. And although he could not, of
course, raise 1t from the ground, he did by his
weight and the strength of his huge Jaws
crush it to the earth The owner of the cattle
tried to make the alligator let 90 his hold by
striking him over the head with his COW whip
Failing in this he rode rapidly back for his
gun and was followed on his return by his
dog. BY this time the alligator had released
his hold and the yearling lay IN the road
nearly dead. Riding up within twenty feet
the gentleman discharged a heavy load of
buckshot at the alligator's head which only
served to iniuriate the brute, and he at once
made rush at the dog Thereupon the gen
tleman approached until he could almost
touch the alligator with the muzzle of his
gun and discharged eAe other barrel at point
just back of the shoulder, causing the animal
to retreat into the bushes, and he was found
next morning on the shore of the lake stiff and
dead He measured fifteen feet in length
Alligators are being hunted very extensively
OF late for their teeth and hides. Their teeth
are mounted with gold and made into ear.
rings, necklaces, watch charms etc, and are
worth from one to five dollars per pound The
hides are worth a dollar to dollar and half
each, green. Oyer tour hundred have been
killed IN Lochloosa Lake alone. Fire hunt.
ing at night Is the most successful mode Of
capturing them, il not the safest Two men
and boat are required. One paddles while
the other has an immense bull's-eye lantern
fastened on top of his head, the light OF
which attracts the alllgators to the surface
and blinds them so that the boat can be run
right against them Then the man with the
light thrusts the muZzle of heavy calibre
rifle within six inches of the creatures head
and fires, Immediately proceeding to haul
HIM aboard, to which effort the alligator lends
what strength he may have left; his great
desire on being MORALLY hurt is to get out of
the water. And If one once feels the boat after
beng shot, he will attempt to climb in HIM.
self If not entirely dead A native alligator
hunter whom | met on the shore of the lake
told ne that he had seen as many as eighty
alllgators at one time during one of these
night hunts and that he could hear and feel
their noses plump" against his boat as they
swan rapidly toward the light their eyes
being too much daZzled to distinguish the
boat until they ran against it, On coming so
abruptly in contact with the boats sides they
would back off little dlstapce to investigate