Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1889-07-28
ELKO, NEVADA, SUNDAY, JULY, %, 1889
OLD-TiME ALLIGATORS.
Yarns OF tho Georgia bottoms In tho Days
Before the Nyur.

Before the War.
a number OF old ctizons wero in
conversation in tho vicinity OF tho
courthouse Among them were some
OF the fOrmc: planter princes OF this
tcction. whose immense plantations in
antc-bellrm 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 ngo," said Colonel II.
a. Iarvcr. "tko Oaky Woods district
was filled with aliigatora. They were
much moro plentiful than now. Do
you know that the below of an alli-
gator is II sure sign OF approaching
RAIN III you hear their hoarSe cry in
the morning look out for showers.
1.-The alligators are often quite fierce.
y negro woman Was standing in a
pond washing when an alligator caught
her by the leg. She called Justify for
help, when somo negro men who were
near ran 10 her assistance and killed
Tho hugo reptile. A gentleman was
riding across Il branch when IN alli-
gator caught his horse by the leg. Tho
animal plunged fcarful!y, but the
saurInn held on like grim death. The
gentleman was thrown in tho water.
and tho horse managed to cxtricato
his limb from tho fierce teeth That np-
parcntly held it rs in n wise. l once
killed 12O alligaiors in ono day. Tho
ponds wcrc quite dry ut the time.
procured II long pole with large hook
ut tho end, and, going to the holes
which were still filed with water, |
dragged tho reptiles out, having them
dispatched by the negroes. 1t is sin
guiar how long life will remain in
these creatures. Wo onco killed n
lnrgo one in n field and left it behind
tho burrows. Tho next day, twenty
four hours lntor. tho ovcrscer touched
1t in passing, and it doubled itself up,
striking out v!ciously with its tail,
nearly striking him."
81 once went on n fishing excursion
to McLc!ian's Mills" said Dr.. Tall
fcrro Jones. I'VE stretched out our
nets, and ut twelve o'clock wo went 10
examine them. In ono we found n
large alligator tangled up. who got
AWAY. The net was torn in two. but
wo reset 1t without trying to mend it.
at two o clock Mr.. johnson md others
went out ngGin. Tho alligator had re-
turned 10 the net. cndoavorirg TO prey
upon tho fish within it, and was
drowned therein. They brought /,
ashore was uslecp at tho time, and
they awakened mo by putting my foot
in the hugo mouth OF tho creature.
Tho alligator was eight fcot long, nnd
was s,ono dead. We prickcd him with
knives and punctured him, but could
find no sign Of animation.
"Ono Of tho best finds 1 ever made"
continued tho doctor, "wus mt Pincy
Woods creek, near Acrco. Tho wntcr
was very low. and rs / was crossing is
l saw an immense blnckish como
swimming by in tho shallow stream
and hid amid tho tall grass. dis
mounted and killed tho fish. In stop
ping back / felt somo queer substance
beneath my feet. aud looking down |
Jaw that had stopped upon an enor-
nous son-ahcllcd turtle. j also captured
that. md tho next day hnd them both
TO- dinncr."
a negro out Mt tho Tarvcr place IS
very fond Of alligators rs food prod
uct lie captures tho saurinns, and.
after duly preparing them, cures them
rs no docs his hams. In his smoke
house ut present iivo or ak OF these
reptiles 40 hung up undergoing the
smoking proccss.-Albany Ca } Cor
Atlantic Constitution.