The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-10-27
A Californio Snake Story.

Another big snake has been seen in
Calaveras Our informant is Mr.. A.
Lascy, Deputy United States Mineral
surveyor, who resides at West Point
Mr.. Lascy and his son, Frank, were on
trip into the mountains. They had
reached point on the old emigrant
road, near the Big Meadows. Mr.. Lsscy,
Sr., is perfectly familiar with the whole
of that mountain country, and he had
decided on a camping place few miles
further on. But coming to an old log
cabin on the road, in which Mr.. Lascy
put up before while on surveying trips,
they concluded to take look into the
cabin, water their horses from a spring
in the gulch below, and possibly make
that their camping place. They accord
ingly stopped their team, got out, and
proceeded to explore the cabin, as it
looked very dilapidated, the roof being
partly crushed in by the weight of winter
SHOWS. Mr.. Lascy, followed by his son,
went to the low cabin door, which was
closed, but not locked, pushed it open
and stopped to enter, when he was
struck with terror at sight of a monster
reptile, which, for size and hideousness
of appearance, surpassed anything that
| he had ever seen or that he really be-
! lieved did exist ON land. He never was
believer in big snake stories that he
had heard, but he AYERS that every parti-
Gle of incredulity that he ever possessed
regarding these reports was completely
knocked out at sight of this living spec
linen of monstrous reptile.
The cabin is sixteen feet by sixteen
feet. The snake lay stretched across
the cabin with its head near and facing
the door, and its tail reaching to the
opposite side and partly coiled against
some stones that had been used for a
i fireplace. With lis head elevated about
three feet from the floor and drawn a
little backward by the stately curve of
the neck, evidently to make room for
the swing of the opening door, the huge
monster faced his intruders. Both men
carried rifles, and as the elder Lascy
started back, the son brought his rifle to
his shoulder and fired at the reptiles
head. Mr. Lascy, quickly recovering
himself, fired also, and almost at the
same time. There was a terrible shuf-
fling sound for a second and like flash
the snake scaled the walls of the cabin
| through du opening ClOSe W IuS caves
and disappeared, and as he was going
over piece of his tail fell from the wall
to the floor. Whether both shots had
effect or not it cannot be said, but one
shot certainly did, but missing the head
struck, the tail, which was in range on
the opposite side against the rocks, and
in going over the wall it was torn from
its slender hold. The severed piece was
six feet in length, and about the middle
was the size of a mans wrist. Mr.. Lascy
brought the tail home as a proof of his
adventure. The snake was at the least
sixteen feet long. The body was i'm.
mense, as can be judged by the tail, and
as it lay upon the floor, partially fiat.
tened, it appeared to be fully eight
inches in breadth 1t was covered with
alternate black and white rings. Mr..
Lascy says that from the fright which
the sudden and unexpected sight occa
stoned and the rapid disappearance Of
the reptile after the shooting after
they fired they quickly retreated from
the door-it is impossible to give &
minute description of the appearance o.
the monster, other than its color anC
enormous ize.- Calaceras (Cal) Ctron.
icLe.