Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-08-20

MAO less, this is what
ooSD happened to Rich
W ard Perdu in Bur-
Lesson county, Tex,
few days ago, AYERS correspondent
in the st. Louis Republic.
About daylight Farmer Perdu was
aroused from sound slumber by the
barking Of dogs, the neighing of horses,
the braylng of mules, and the believing
of cattle. He opened his front door
and saw alligators ranging in size from
the gigantic saurian to the playful lit
tie reptile not more than foot long
disporting themselves about his yard
There were two or three big bull ALI
gators on the porch only few PAGES
form the farmers bare feet. The
hounds had chased some of the alliga-
tors into fence corners, and whole
droves Of alligators were prancing
along the walks and chasing each 9th
er under the rose bushes.
Mr.. Perdu rubbed his eyes, and after
taking a second look he shouted for
his wife and his Winchester
This is what had happened. Not a
drop of rain has fallen in this section
Of country for more than two months,
and in consequence Of this fact nearly
all creeks, ponds, and bayous are as
dry as the throat OF famous Texas
politician from whom his friends had
to hide the coal oil can. Alligators can
live long time on dry land, and when
the lake or bayou in which they live
has dried up they will lie around in
the hot mud or sand for a few days,
looking very disconsolate. After awhile
they will give it up and strike straight
across the country toward the nearest
lake or river. They generally travel
at night. Led by an old bull, they will
march straight to the nearest water,
as if they had been over the road a
hundred times before.
Courtney's lake is the ravorite
haunt Of hundreds Of alligators, and
never but once before within the mem
Dry Of the Oldest Texan was 1t entirely
dry until q few weeks ago, A dozen OF
more young folks went down there last
Monday on a fishing expedition and
they were surprised to find that the bee
Of the famous lake afforded first-rate
place for playing baseball, or running
races on bicycles, and that it was moi
much Of a place for fish.
These young people scared the ALI
gators off into the woods, and on thai
very night the whole army of saurian'
concluded to emlgrate to the Brazo'
river, some IL miles away. They march
ed out Of the bottom and struck theprai
rie not far from the old San Antonio
road. Here they found an insurmount
able obstacle in the shape of hog
proof barbed wire fence.
They followed the line of fence fol
three miles, until they came to Farme
Perdu's gate. This gate is kept closet
, by heavy weight attached to chain
The alligators were evidently trying Il
get through the wire fence at ever,
step, and when the big bull that LEI
the army put his nose against the gat
and found that 1t readily yielded, h
was no doubt highly pleased. He crep
into Mr., Perdu's yard, and the nose 0
the next gator behind him kept tn
gate from closing. In this way til
whole lot, Of more than 100 alligator,
, soon found themselves inside the yarG
The yard is not large, and the alliga
tors were not long in discovering tina
; while 1t had been an easy matter t
= get into the inclosure, getting out wa
altogether another thing.
The dogs were not long in scentin
4 the saurians, and they went to barkin
in way that Farmer Perdu had neye
heard before. The horses, hogs, an
cattle in the adjacent lots acted a
Z though they were much frightened
I All Of this commotion aroused Mr.. Pei
du, and he says that when he opene
4 his door and saw the yard full {
p strange looking monsters he exper
r enced feeling of horror no words ca
4 describe. Although he has been livin
. in Texas for 10 years, he has never bt
+ fore seen an alligator.
A He said: 81 had no idea what tn
n awful looking creatures were. rut
q bed my eyes and looked at them an
q wondered if were not dreaming"
a One Of the big monsters on the pore
= opened its mouth and snapped its jaw
p, close to Mr.. Perdu's feet Mr.. Perd
has some five boys, who are fond {
: fishing. Their experience made thel
wiser than their father, in natural hi
tory at least. Aroused by the groar
- of the old man and his wild shouts fl
his Winchester, the boys rushed to ii
b windows, and instantly recognized I'll