Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-08-22
SEA SERPENT. Seven Headed Monster Be-
 low Town. CAME UP THE SANTA CRUZ. He is Viewed by Frightened Hundreds from Towh.
Delivers a Homily and Prophecy
 runner-Santa Cruz Valley.


 was the hurry-skurry to the engine house, that the fires, which come to Tucson about once year, might be speedily quenched. Arrived at the eagine house no fire was found reported and a numerous throng listened to ( supposed yarn by a belated traveller who told that he had seen sea serpent while crossing the food at Stevens ave- nue, which made across the waters i'm mersing Sing Sos watermelon patch.
 Everyone laughed at the tale, and he grew very indignant, offering .to convey his hearers to the valley and show tracks anyway, and possibly the animal Moreover he showed the end of his wagon to bo very much splintered, c&used, he said, by the beast or fish or reptile, or whatever it might he, bring. iHg hIs jaws together, as te endeavored to include driver, wagon, and everything ln one vast bite. Certainly the wagon did confirm tho tale; certainly also there was nothing out of the way iD the man 6 5alk, only that he shook with au awful fright or too much water, and the braver suggested an investigation.
 By this time the crowd became 8 throng. They came from Bario Libre and from over the track and from the gas works neighborhood. All kinds of wild theories were given. It was from he Salton lake, es published in the Republican; it might be rain machine escaped from Texas, and the cause of he present overflow; perhaps It might even be, his satanic grace ID one of his numerous disguisss looking for the man who was always hoping it was going to rain. At any rats it was decided that the place he was last seen should be visited eD masse, all but the more fear ful starting immediately.
 The bright full moon gleamed calmly dowh, and some talked very loud-not that they were afrald-others really be- iieved 1t to have pint bottle ss & source, but all made on 'or the roaring rushing SaLta Cruz. Then everyone experienced that curious sensation of fright and surprise at finding what one IS looking for but did not expect. The monster was really there, throxing up great waves end sprinkling the throng as though a rain were falling.
 Certainly lis appearance was most dreadful. and many expressions of alarm and comment might be heard. Look what horrible heads. Three and two are five and two-he has sever heads. And see bis eyes! talk about piercing orbs that zee tn ough one; I'll bet he IS looking right now at that man hiding behind lne." "Yes," said another, "snd now his scales sparkle. His teeth look dangerous too. I wonder which set bit of the end of the wagon" So they went on. The least was estimated to nave a body AGO feet long, from the junction Of his stvsn heads, with seven awful sets of glIstening teeth m eRcn of his seven heeds end a noise like con- tinued rumbling thunder WAS heard and many of the TucsCnites fell fainting. Those who failed to faint, and those who came to their senses in time then, wonder of wonders, heard voices from the creature, which, though thunderous, were well aI ticulated, and with deep gruff accent. Said the YoIces:
 "Wherefore do ye marvel? Did not Editor Vail, even as John of old, fcretell my coming? Did he not tell in special dispatch to the Republican from Yuma, even az ore crying from the wilderne ss, that I traversed the sea at Salton, and they would not hear, but made divers tests thereof; that l was not; being that had no bsing-of his imagination only. And hear me: l am; l live and breathe and have my being; and bring a mighty prophecy, which hear ye:"
 By this time the prostrate had revived, and looked arornd for the monster, which they could hardly believe in, though their own eyes saw the creature. He was seated on one of the large melons of Sing So's patch, of itself au object of wonder to visitors, though nothing uncommon in the Santa Cruz valley, where wstermeloDs like small house are hardly commented.
 
 have been in far lands. In bays and seas. Ia the sea and under the sea, and on the earth and under the earth. My latest work is the lake on the desert, the beglnning of my mission of good on earth, for 1 come to bring water to the earth and lo!'
 Then the food suddenly rose several feet, twenty or thirty more fainted, the waters receded and the voices continued
 "rhe lake is from me and of me. send the rain in abundance, and the vlre and the fig tree and the grass anO the rose shall prosper apace. The ram fall of Arizona shall be increased four fold thereby, and the land shall rejoice and be glad, more especially in this fine valley CD which I have smiled and and poured forth ny bounty"
 Then the beast smiled one Os the most horrible of looks at the yet fearfu people-Iike Tucson Chinamen wher pleading not guilty before Judge Slater Three other heads relieved the talker. and said i.l A calIbrs voices (the others were only 3S, centre fire):
 "Behold this valley on which tht bounty of all earth shall appear. Il shall grow and be fruitful in abundance
 
 The settler from afar off shali here 1T thousands make his homs. His crop' shall grow and multiply, and this ex- ceeding rich soil will yield as never be fore. Ditches shall streak 1t and be ill ed and in their turn wet the rich acres Men will come more and more, ther homes shall be many where now tn beasts of the field wander in peace un disturbed. Yea, thls valley shall be m ;ghty and happy one. Houses shal become mansions, the poor shall enrich en, the desert ehall be filled.
 "The merchant of the city of Tucsol shall rejoice and grow mighty. Mel shalI spare not to buy his cinnamon an' odors and frankincense and wine sD' oil, and fine four and wheat and soarle and silk and purple"
 Then there came another rise in th waters, the Lead dropped to below th water, more fain' ed and the monste disappeared. Nothing more was seel of it, the people thougbtfully wandered home. agreeing that the Santa Cru truly had good prospects and the fir 1 q L.. l.