The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-24
A FRISKY ALLIGATOR.
Sounds That Startled a North Main
Street Policeman.
Seven Men Had Lively Time Early Sun
day Morning.

1t was quiet on North Main street In
the early hours Sunday morning and a
policeman was trudging along at the
regulation gait toward Market square
when he heard strange noise in store
opposite tho First Baptist church. His
first thought was of robbers and he
imagined himself discovering desperadocs
in the act of looting the premises. The
store was dark and rs he peered over the
screen he saw no indications of robbers or
however. IL sounded like loud humping
Then there was "A sound of wood being
torn from its fastening and ripped into
splinters.
1t was mysterious and for few
moments the .'peeler" thought the place
was haunted. He could soc nearly tho
whole interior of the store but there was
no explanation Of the strange sounds.
Being satisfied that something unusual
was happening and that criminals or rob-
bers were not responsible for the goings
on he notified tho Central station and
then the man who hires the store was in
formed that the spirit of ben Kit" or
some other fellow was tearing up the in
terror Of his premises. The man who Is
responsible for the rent OF the store was
not slow in arriving at the place and In "a
few moments the mystery was explained.
Last Wednesday, there arrived from
Florida male alligator, Is feet In length.
The reptile was In healthy condition
with an unappeascd appetite. He was
boxed up In "a strong crate, with just
enough room TO lay quiet horizontally
Saturday evening tho owner concluded TO
give the reptile moro room and IL was
transferred into larger box partly filled
with water. The top was fixed so that
there would be plenty of air, and in this
condition the all r tor was left TO remain
over the hours DC, oted to Sunday obser-
vance.
Sunday morning had just begun when
the alligator felt the need Of more room.
He lifted mp his powerful jaw and got
couple of the Stats across tho top OF the
tank in his teeth and then he closed them.
The trick was done. This gave him more
room 20 operate in ard in few moments
he had ripped of the entire top of his
box.
That was tho noise the policeman beard
The rcIsile then tossed itself over the side
OF tho box and began 20 make himself
perfectly at home with the surroundings
lie was thus enjoying himself when the
nan who had received him from Florida
appeared upon the scene. He suspected
the cause OF the trouble and all his avail
able fcrcc was summoned to the spot.
There were seven men ready 20 tackle that
alligator before he could do further harm
the store and drew the reptiles attention
In tnat direction aud being hungry for
fresh meat IL gided toward the men with
the hope of getting grip on something
whica might prove TO be good 20 eat Tho
reptiles bead was no sooner turned from
the front of the store then two Of tho mon
stole In and wound chain around his
middle. The alligator resented this and
endeayored to bite the men in the rear
he camo near getting there and one man
fee that a little miscalculatian by tie
reptile saved his leg from his knco down
As the alligator began turning On attack
the force In the rear the four men who
had gone 70 tho back OF the store attacked
the reptile at that side Thew were sup
piled with rope and the combined energy
of the seven men after "a good deal Of work
placed the alligator so that ne could not
make dangerous resistance. The alligator
was then placed in the tank, which was
nailed -, 80 that he Is fast and safe to-
day. h policeman who made the dis
cover has had bad dreams ever since.