St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-10-30
A CHA MONSTER,

1t Tackles an Alligator and Hangs
ON With More Than Bulldog Te.
nacity.
WASHINGTON, Oct. ga rare combat
took place this afternoon in a building oc-
cupied by the fish commission between two
little pets of that institution, whose likes
have probably never found themselves in
such close proximity since the ages Of feath-
erless birds, winged reptiles and web-footed
quadrupeds. The aggressor and the victor,
as well. was the ne Wy arrived gila (pro-
nounced heia) monster from the ella river,
ArZona-the only species OF lizard whose
bite is known to be poisonous, and the VIC
tim was a two-year-ol alligator from Flor
ida The monster is fourteen inches long
and about twice the weight of his antagon-
ist. Both reptiles were in a semi torpid
condition, having ceased to take food
week or two ago; and for some
purpose they had been removed
from their glass cases and placed beside
each other upon the stone floor. An at
tendant inadvertently touched the allega-
tors leg and caused him to move sluggshly
onward few inches, when he came in
contact with the blunt nose of the monster.
The snaky eyes of the latter lighted up
with CLEAN of satanic malevolence, It's
black lips opened wide and its jaw closed
with snap upon the forepaw of the ALI
gator. The prisoner developed unexpected
activity and though taken at a sad disad-
vantage. made for time gallant fight for
its liberty and its life. Its movements
were marveiously quick and its jaws
closed a dozen times in succession upon
the mailed head Of the assailant. 1t soon.
hnwpvpr hpre mi ayhauctAH and mna3,iDn
like suffering child, it relapsed into quiet.
The attendants sought by variety OF means
to release the alligator, but were compelled as
may be supposed. to be very careful in
handling the venomous monster" He
was seized by the tail and held up in the
air, taken by the bloated neck and choked
severely. plunged under water, and NAL
treated in other ways. but to no purpose.
Then sharp wires were thrust into his nose,
and finally large troWel was thrust into
his mouth, but such was the force of the
grip that the steel blade was considerably
bent ID the effort to release the imprisoned
paw. Then the pair were replaced in the
glass case, which had been occupied by the
monster. and again the alligator renewed
its struggles thraShing It's enemy with its
tail and swapping at it with its jaw. In its
struggle 1t had dislocated its shoulder,
and its imprisoned limb became limp
and powerless. Its meanings were pitiful,
and the attendants were moved to renewed
and at last successful efforts TO effect a sep
araton. The trowel was reintroduced into
the monsters mouth with no very gentle
thrusts and probably effected severe
wound in some tender part. Bubbles of
grayish slime were exuded from the mouth
and nostrils, and finally the jaws slowly
opened. Even then it was the work of sew
eral minutes to disengage the hooked fangs
from the wounded paw. The combatants
were placed in separate receptacIes. the
monster tapping his thick black lips with
his greenish, forked tongue. while the alli-
gator closed his eyes, probably to die of the
venom in his system.