Evening star., 1897-03-08
A BIG SNAKE STORY.
Reported Capture of a Python by n
Smithsonian Scientist.

dispatch from ST. Augustine. Fla, says:
A special from down the coast states that
Walter Ralston connected with the Smith
sonian Institution at Washington, has
caught the python that has terrorized the
natives around Black Key, ten-miles-
around sand pit. covered with mangroves,
fifty miles below Rockledge.
Some weeks ago the story was TOLD of
this big serpent, the report being that
ship carrying circus had been wrecked
there, and that this big python had es-
capped Ralston. hearing of it, determined
TO secure the reptile. Starting from here
two weeks ago, he went down the coast,
and at New River secured 1n0ian guides
He states that he found 1t diff1cult TO get
theLl as they were all afraid of this par
ticular key ard it's lone inhabitant, whom
every one feared.
Landing at the key, they started to hunt
for their prey At noon of the second day
he was seen coied up on the carcass OF
small doe that he had caught. AS Ralston
approached, the snake lifted up its head
and hissed The Indians ran back, but
Ralston boldly approached the reptile and
attempted to put bag over its head. Ttis
irritated the snake, and 1t struck at him,
its curved fangs catching in his coat. Its
big tail coiled around him quick as light
ning and in moment he was squeezed to
a tree where he was being slowly crushed
to death. He called his guides, but they
had fled. Tighter and tighter became the
serpent's coils. and the imprisoned man
thought his last hour had come. One of
the Indians, however, plucked up courage,
and, running up, caught hold of the ser
pents tail, and tried to get Ralston re-
leased He succeeded in unwinding por-
ton, and, his companions coming up, they
managed to release Ralston. He was about
half dead at this time. They carried
him out Of the reach of the now thoroughly
eEraged serpent. After an hours rest they
again tackled 1t. This time the two In
dians plucked up courage 20 engage Its at
tention for moment, and Ralston, rush
ing up hastily, pushed its head into long
canvas bag.
Then the fun began. For an hour the
big python whipped around. the men hang
ing on to it like grim death. Finally the
snake became exhausted. and Ralston slip
tightly. 1t was task to take the game
to the boat. 1t was over thirty-threc feet
long and weighed III 1-2 pounds. Its head
was like bucket In size, and 1t had long,
cruel-looking fangs.
Ralston thinks this is not the real orig
| inal snake, but smaller one. as he saw
| traces of a much larger one. The natives
tell Of a big one seen there over seventy
| five feet in length, and as big as barrel.
Two stories are told. and vouched for Of
| parties going there to hunt. and disappear
ing Indians can be hired to go there only
by the payment Of big price.
| At the Smithsonian Institution and also
at the National Museum no advices have
been received as to the reported capture Of
| a python. No such man as Ralston Is on
| the roll of employees of either the museum
| or the Smithsonian Institution. Whenever
| a man is sent out from the Agricultural
Dep lrtment or. in fact. any OF the govern
| ment offices on q special undertaking he
/ always has the interests of both the Smith
sonian Institution and the National Mu-
scum before him, and anything he may Sc
| cure is gladly received by the authorities
It may have been one Of these men who
| secured the big serpent.