Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1889-07-10
OLD-TlME ALLIGATORS,
Yarns Of tho Georgia Bottoms In the Days
Before the War.


A number of old citizens were in
conversation in the vicinity of tho
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 knew all about
the country, and the singular forms of
animal life with which it teens.
''Many years ago." said Colonel H.
A. Tarver, ''tLe Oaky Woods district
was filled with alligators. They were
much moro plentiful than now. Do
you know that the below of an alli-
gator is a sure sign of approaching
rain. If you hear their hoarse cry in
the morning look out for showers.
The alligators are often quite fierce.
A negro woman was standing in q
pond washing when an alligator caught
her by the leg. She called Justify for
help, when some negro mon who were
near ran to her assistance and killed
the huge reptile. A gentleman was
riding across a 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 a wise. once
killed 12O alligators in one day. The
ponds were quite dry at the time. l
procured long pole with q large hook
at the end, and, going to the holes
which were still filled with water, /
dragged the reptiles out, having them
dispatched by the negroes 1t is sim
gular how long life will remain in
these creatures. We once killed a
large one in q fold and left it behind
the burrows. The next day, twenty
four hours later, the overseer touched
it in passing, and it doubled itself up,
striking out viciously with it's tail,
nearly striking him."
81 once went on a fishing excursion
to McIellan's Mills" said DR.. Tall
ferro Jones. 1--WE stretched out our
nets, and at twelve clock we went to
examine them. In one we found q
large alligator tangled up, who got
away. The net was torn in two, but
we reset it without trying to mend il.
At two o'clock Mr.. 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 ii
ashore. I was asleep at the time, and
they awakened me by putting my foot
in the huge mouth of the creature
The alligator was eight feet long, and
was stone dead. We pricked him with
knives and punctured him, but could
find no sign Of animation.
"One Of the best finds ever made, "
continued the doctor, "was at Piney
Woods creek, near Acree The wator
was very low. and as was crossing Is
L saw an Immense blacktish come
swimming by in the shallow stream
and hid amid the tall grass. dis
mounted and killed the fish. In stop
ping back felt some queer substance
beneath my feet and looking down /
saw that / had stepped upon an enor-
nous soft-shelled turtle. also captured
that. and the next day had them both
fof dinner"
A negro out at the Tarver place is
very fond Of alligators as food prod
uct. He captures the saurians, and,
after duly preparing them, cures them
as he does his hams. In his smoke
house at present i've or six OF these
reptiles a"e hung up undergoing the
smoking process. s.--Albany ga Cor.
, Atlantic Constitution.