The St. Johns herald., 1889-12-05
oLp.TiME ALueAIoRs.
Yarns of the Georgia Bottoms in the Days
 Before the War;

Before tile War;
 4 number of old citizens were in conversation in the vicinity of the courthouse. Among them were some of the former planter princes of this section, whose immense plantations in ante-bellum days were titled by thou sands of slaves. They l,new all about the country. and the singular forms Of animal life with which it teens.
 Many years ago" said Colonel H. 4. Tarver, "tke Oaizy Woods district was filed with alligators. They were much more plentiful than now. Do you know that the below of an alli- gator is 9 sure sign of approaching rain. II you hear their hoarse cry in the morning look out for showers.
 "The aIligators are often quite fierce. 4 negro woman was standing in a pond washing when an alligator caught her by the leg. She called lu5tily fer help, when some negro men who were near ran to her assistance and killed the huge reptile. A gentleman was riding across 8 branch when an alli- gator caught his horse by the leg. The animal plunged fearfully, but the saurian held on like grim death. The gentleman was thrown in the water and the horse managed to extricate his limb from the fierce teeth that ap- parently held it as in 8 wise. 1 once killed 120 alligators in one day. The ponds were quite dry at the time. procured 8 long pole with large hook at the end, and, going to the holes which were still filled with water, l dragged the reptiles out, having them dispatched by the negroes. It is sin gular how long life will remain in these creatures. We once killed Q large one in a field and left it behind tho furrows. The next day. twenty four hours later, the overseer touched it in passing, and it doubled itself up, striking out viciously with itst tail. nearly striking him"
 q once went on 8 fishing excursion to McLellan's Mills" said Dr. Tali- ferro Jones. "EWo stretched out our nets, and at twelve o'clock we went to examine them. Tn one VIC found large alligator tangled up, who got away The net was torn in two, but we reset it without trying to mend t. At two o'clock hr. Johnson and others went out again. The alligator had re- turned to the net, endeavoring to prey upon the fish within it, and was drowned therein. They brought 1t ashore. I was asleep at the time, and they awakened me by putting my foot in the huge mouth of tho creature. The alligator was eight feet long, and was stone dead. We pricked him with knives and punctured him, but could find nc sign of animation.
 "One of the best finds 1 ever made, g continued the doctor, twas at Piney Woods creek, near Acree. The water was very low. and as l was crossing it 1 saw an immense blackfsh come swimming by in tho shallow stream and hid amid the tall grass. dis mounted and killed the fish. Tn step- ping back l felt some queer substance beneath my feet, and looking down saw that had stepped upon an enor- nous soft-shelled turtle. I also captured that, and the next day had them both for dinner"
 A negro out at the Tarvof place is very fond Of alligators Gs a food prod uct He captures the saurians, and, after duly preparing them, cures them as he does his hams. h his smoke house ct present five or six of these reptiles are hung up undergoing the smoking process.-AIbany (Ga-) Cor. Atlantic Constitution.