Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-12
AN OHIO SNAKE STORY
Account of the Recent Capture Of Monster
Near Toledo.
Believed to he n Python That Escaped
From a Travelling Show
Years Ago.
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
TOLEDO. Ohio, October 6, 1896.
It has come to be sort of common GUS
tom in this degenerated age for the writer
Of serpent lore to preface his narrative with
an apology, which may be construed into
an acknowledgment of Its unreliability. In
this case the reader is destined to be disap-
pointed in that one particular respect, at
least, as this snake story will hold water,
and is substantiated by the word of mouth
of several responsible and truthful citizens.
One day recently there was killed along
the banks of what is known as Toussaint
river, in Ottawa county. and not many
miles from Toledo. a snake twenty-one feet
and seven inches long. A startling state
ment, without the reader being cautiously
introduced to a reptile of his character, but
the asseveration is none the less vouched
for.
A number Of years ago, along in the
eighties, a young python escaped from a
through northern Ohio, and in spite of all
efforts at the time, 1t could not be recap
tured. Nothing was seen OF the serpent
until 1883, when what was evidently the
same one was seen by Geo A. whitney,
Henry and Martin Witty, Adam Johns and
Leopold Heinze, two of whom are now resi-
dents of this city. They were sturdy
youngsters, and prone to fishing frequently
in the stream bearing the name above
given.
Late one afternoon they started off on
"gigging' or spearing expedition, intending
as darkness came on to light their torches
such as are frequently used by country lads
Two of the boys were walking close to the
water, while the other three were above on
the high bank which, as any one familiar
with this locality will recall. extends some
distance beyond the old cemetery half
mile south from the hamlet of Elliston.
What the Boys Saw.
Suddenly Adam Johns, on the upper bank,
gave a whoop, and the next minute was seen
running as though his life depended on it.
The other boys could see nothing, but they
ran toward couple Of young trees, scrub
oaks. on the side Of the bank At first they
could see nothing even there, but upon at
tempting to move nearer they were horrl-
fed to see gigantic head and ABOUT Two
feet of a reptilian body lift itself above the
weeds and dart its hideous tongue threat
eningly in their direction.
They could see its tail moving the weeds
and grass at least ten feet away. Never
we're the boys worse frightened, and every
one ran as though the evil one was after
him. The next day three or four men IL
the neighborhood, who had heard OF the
adventure, traversed the banks for hours,
but failed to find anything beyond the SER
rents trail, which was very plainly to be
seen. Nothing further was heard Of the
| creature until 1890 and 1891. when 1t was
seen several times, and perhaps shot at
| fifty times by different individuals, but nc
enc was able to kill it.
All attempts to find its hiding place were
| unavailing; it was frequently trailed into
| the dense swamp back of the old Greytown
| road and there all trace of it would be lost.
1t had been seen several times during the
years Of 90, '03 and 94, but no one was
| known to have caught a glimpse Of it dur
| ing last year, and it is probable that it
| changed It's location somewhat or else kept
| very close to its den in the underbrush
which fringes Benton township Ottawa
| county, and which section has for years
| been infested With immense blue racers, q
| Sc AXE Of which the average rural youth
I stands in mortal awe, owing to his mis-.
| chievous habit Of chasing everything tina,
I offends his snakeship.
| Came Upon the Monster.
] About three weeks ago Geo. L. McGinni.