The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-03
1T IS A QUEER FiSa 4.
A Monster Crocodile Gets Possession
of Pennsylvania Dam.


From the Philadelphia Press.
LEBANON, PA, Sept. 29.-Some of the
men employed at the nsw impounding
reservoir Of the Lebanon water supply we're
yesterday evening startled by the appear
ance of crocodile in No. dam.
Foreman Derr is positive that his croco-
dileship measures fully twenty feet in
length, and Informed the Press correspond
ent that some of the men became SC frig ht-
ened that they dropped their picks aud
shovels and took to the woods. Two of them
have not yet put in appearance, and 1t is
believed that they made a bee line for
Lebanon. a distance Of six miles.
How tho crocodile got into the dam Is
shrouded in mystery.
FARMER HORST MYsrIFIED.
It has been noticed for some time by
Farmer Horst, who resides half a mile from
the dam, that his ducks and geese were
gradually disappearing. He has been in
the habit lately Of proceeding to the dam
during the night, aud with his gun watch
for the cause Of the taking Off of his poultry.
His nightly viGils were rewarded last night
by a sudden commotion in the water, fol-
lowed by something resembling a huge
plank rising above the surface.
1t Immediately gave chase to a flock of
geese, and before the farmer, paralyzed
with fright, could raise his gun the strange
object disappeared beneath the water. On
taking an account of STOCK the astonished
farmer counted one goose less. and the mys-
terry was solved. The discovery spread like
prairie fire, and everybody gave the dam
u wide berth.
THE WHOLE CITY ALARMED.
A swift rider was sent. post-haste to carry
the news to Lebanon, making the distance,
six miles in twenty-five minutes.
The city authorities listened with some
misgivings at the tale of the half-frighteled
messenger. The news, however, spread and
the people were thrown into the widest
turmoil.
Knols Of people occupied the street COR
rers and workshops, and gave various the>
cries as to where the crocodile came from,
and how it was possible for him to get into
the dam.
At this stage some ono increased the ex-
element by ringing fire alarm. He was
promptly arrested and committed to the
station house.
The mayor ordered his officers to quickly
summon the water commissioners and Supt.
Allwein and the mem bers Of city councils,
who immediately drove to the dam to in
vestiga.e the matter. As a precautionary
measure a platoon Of police officers accom-
panied the party.
CITY OFFICIALS PANIC s TRICKFN.
Taking position at the waters edge of the
dam infested by the monster. the city Off
Gals were suddenly thrown into panic as
the crocodile Unexpectedly rose from the
water like flash.
The scramble that followed up the em-
bankment presented "a scene that simply
beggars description. Every one for himself
wes thego, and in short time not shadow
OF a city official could be seen.
OFFICER LEONARD BITTEN.
Officer Leonard, an excellent swimmer,
who had ventured too far into the dam, was
caught by the leg and so severely bitten
that be is now in the Good Samaritan hos
pital.
A long consultation over their dilemma
was afterward held by the city officials, but
no definite conclusion looking to an exter-
mination of the monster was arrived at.
The authorities do not know how to pro-
ceei, and, to make their eDlbarass ment sill
more distressing, the crocodile unfortu-
city must az present depend for its entire
water supply.
WATCHING FOR THE ANIMAL.
The drawing of the water from this dam
is therefore out of the question, and that ap-
pears to be about the only key to the per-
picked situation.
Water Superintendent Allwein and sew
eral neighboring farmers volunteered TO
keep watch for the croco lille. but a report
has just reached the city that as night came
on the water superint endent, with shout
dered musket, had taken position at a safe
distance, and that the farmers, armed with
pitchforks. were seated on a fence fully
quarter of mile away.