The morning times., 1895-09-29
STOLE A GATOR.
just About the Queerest Theft Ever
Put on Record

j uet About the Queerest Theft Ever
Put on Record.
The following general alarm was received
at police headquarters yesterday afternoon,
says the New York Sun, from Acting Capt.
Freeres. of the Westchester police:
Look out for alligator, seven feet long,
stolen from hotel at Wakefield"
The alligator in question was the prop
erty of Thomas Morris, and for three years
it has been one of the attractions of his
saloon at Wakefield. A mate of the miss
ing reptile, stuffed and mounted, hangs
over the bar, and by its side is a coiled
snake. The pair are Intended to form part
of the decorations, but their exceedingly
lifelike appearance frequently fills the
thirsty patrons of the place with terror
and the belief that they really ''have EN-"
The live gator has been kept in cage in
the backyard of Mr.. Morris residence, and
was a favorite with all the visitors He
was captured by W. II. Morris and James
Purssell al Lake Osceoia, Winter Park, Fla,
several years ago. He is about nine years
old, and, though not quite as large as the
police order declares him TO be, is q very
lively fellow
Mr.. Morris is of the opinion that the thief
who got away with his pet was well ac-
quainted With the Surroundings. At first
he was inclined to think that some of his
acquaintance had taken the gator as a
joke, but now Morris thinks that the person
who abducted him meant business.
One of the attendants at Morris saloon
said last night: II want much stuck on
that alligator, but I'd just like to see the
man that stole him. He must have a front
like a Brooklyn trolley car. Why, you
couldn'tg onear the cuss withouthis swapping
and Kissing at you. and the only way to
get him out was to take him around the
neck 1 wouldn't go monkeying with him
after dark. notfor a g ood many cold plunks."
There is possibility that the alligator
escaped from his cage. although Mr.. Morris
scouts the uggestion. Still the Wakefield
police have this possibility distinctly in
mind, and il the gator does not show up
they are likely to be robbed of their sleep
for a week to come. At present they are
strictly obeying the order to .1ook OUT for
thealligator. The Sun reporter found one
bluecoat pacing his heat near the Wakefield
station, and contemplating the rural beauties
around him.
do you know anything about this alli-
gator story" asked the reporter.
whats that?'' said the cop, gazing ap-
prehensively about. Then he laughed and
said: Ever since heard the pesky thing
was gone I've been expecting him to come
out on me from some of these dark places.
When you said alligator 1 was all ready
to jump"
There are numerous swamps and other
out-OrdOor places IN ana near wakefield
where an alligator would like to live, and
some of the people In the town were specu-
lating as to whether they might run across
or against him in such places. Mothers.
too, became alarmed, and kept their chill
dren from going TO school for fear that
they might meet the alligator. The chill
dren had heard of what happened to Little
Red Riding Hood, and were just as glad
to stay at home. .sss
Last night there was gathering of ex-
perts1n Norris road house. and a searching
party to hunt ''Oid SAM" as the alligator
was named, was organized. The hunt
begins this morning. The chances are
against "Old SANS being taken alive.
Still 1t will be Just as well for "Old
Sam" II be surrcnders on honorable terms
for II he does not do so he Will be killed
or else obliged to try to support himself
IN some swamp or river during the winter.
he has spent his winters SO far in q uice
warm corner in Ar. Morris cellar