Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-09
A MONSTER
Captured In InB WOuus al Sewick-
ley, Pa,
A Snake That Run Away With Geese and
Ike Prey Dispatched by
Small Army Of Men.

SrwI,rrEY. Pa, August s-Twenty or
twenty five years arp, the residents OF Ss-
wickley Valley could kill bear or deer or
capture a big snake without going bat q
few rods from their houses. but Ot late
years, Teitner bear or deer has been seen
within many miles Of ;hc town. Occasion
ally a snake OF unusual size would be
killed. but not large enough to attract any
particular attention. On last Sunday, how
ever tie whole community was thrown
into a great fever OF excitement by the re-
port Of an immense reptil" having been
seen a short distance back OF the village
In the forenoon some men were going along
the old blackburn road, which runs
through whnt Is known as the Hamilton
farm, when their attention was drawn TO
the left Of the road. Immediately In front
Of them. by the piercing sbrieks or quacks
of a flock Of geese but before they reached
Il spot their gaze fell on sight which,
for few seconds,
Completely ParnIyEed Them.
Crossing the road few feet In front of
them was an immense snake carrying
large white gender, the king OF the mock.
: Ter they had recovered from their shock
he men proceeded 10 follow the monster,
ya,or. End did not rush onto his snskeship,
or hurry him any IN his progress but kept
A. a safe distance. and kept him In sight
until he reached a large bOllOH tree near
the WB'nr works grounds. While one kept
watch the others started around the neigh
bOihOJd 10 sCquaiDt the granRers oi the
Cirlr their live stock was IN with such q
monst.r IN the vicinity, and also 10 pro.
cure their assistance in making an effort TO
lid the country OF the vile intruder. A
dozen or more men and boys gathered
about the place. but the game failed TO
come ont. After consultation IL WAS de.
cided to ,end TO Sewickley for assistance
and postpone operations until afternoon.
Therefore. shortly after noon, DIR. Moore
and Nj Nlt. Smith, OF Allegheny, who
are suynmfring here, J. Sharp Mcdonald,
eI maio- Of the lIth regiment, and great
many Others drove out In their vehicles,
and many others walked over the hills 10
The Feat or war.
livery man or boy had weapon OF some
Iind, from fine hreeCh loading shot gnns
snd r,fes 10 axes, saw. and scythes When
tic army was thought 20 be large enough.
tie forces were placed under command of
Ms;or sharp Mcdonald. as they considered
| his eIrerierce during the riots would be oi
greHt advantage in handling the men. Tne
| commander drew bis men up IN fonr lines,
| eight or ten deep. and marched them up 70
! q safe distance and surrounded the tree,
which contained the object of their wrath.
| II was decided 10 cut the tree down. Aiirf
| a few strokes OF the ares. his snakeship
Was seen TO run his head OUT ot hole sev
eral feet from the ground. and just At the
| iuneture OF q large limb and the trunk
! The commander asked for a volunteer tc
! climb the tree and cut the limb OF 1h'
! famous and reckless character known a
! Jersey Little ssid by jums be would GO up
! Prof. Dora Nelly. the well.known veter
/ mary surgeon, wanted him 10 annoint hi
bydy with
HOGS Lard and Csnphos
before facing the enemy, ss no snake voul
touch a person that had this preventative
| about him. With the r. mark that be "a
not half a. much afraid Of a snake A. b
was Of loaded revolysS, Little started "
the tree and began cutting a. the limt
Soon out came several feet Of his ,nat'
ship. The crowd yelled 10 Little TO jump
but IL vas TOO late. He had presence Q
mind enough 10 strike the enemy on tn
head with the axe, which stunned it Tor D
insi.nt Tsking advantage OF bis coad'
,iop Jersey caught bold OF the snake so
pulled out several more feet. Then ii lei
10 The ground with such force q. to ,eaS
IL elm ost pOyerless A noOee was nahs ~
the end Of q powerful rope and tne o.ns
end lssled 10 the big tree for fear tne lsp
,iJe vouId come 10 life and annlsiiats IA
ryovd when measured ID vss f0and U
ff,sen feet ripe inches long. and tSeir
inches in ciTcumfsrence at the Iaisest ~.
The men who first saS the sbaks - -
road. say the one captured 10 noI Ine -,
nne as /, is not ss long BY several ies'
The prisoner was risd 70 the axe o. one ~
The bnepies and dragged 10 the viilsee. 20
rest of the crowd forming pro- M -.
The rear. At last accounts tne nioD'I -
stilI slive snd in the possession VI ''''''
Little.