The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20
THE ALLIGATOR
HUNTERS HOME.
How the Monsters Are Captured on
Indian River.
LOVES THE HAZARDOUS SPORT.
Habits Of the Fascinating Reptile in
Southern Florida Where They In
habit i'm Large Numbers.
a Typical Hunter.
LOVES THE HAZARDOUS SPORT.

ROCKLEDGE. FLA. March l6.-Spe-
cial.-Mr. Harry c. Eyer "the famous
| alligator hunter OF the Indian river
conducted recently the largest and most
| exciting hunt Of the season. over twenty
! five ladies and gentlemen went out on
! the big launch "Sabrina.' from indian
! River pier at Rockledge. and crossed over
I 10 Merritts Island. where a landing was
| made. Then commenced "A long tramp
through a veritable jungle Of palmettoes.
! thickets OF sccrub marshes, hammock
| forests and a topical tangle OF WIRE
wreathed bushes and trees, until a stream
! was reached which 10 the experienced eye
| of the hunter gave indications that
gators" had recently been there. and on
| going a short distance further a fine large
sDecimon was discovered on the bank or
| a shallow stream. His sun bath was
| soon, however. changed to a mud pain
and the alligator hunter was nearly TO
his waist in the water, struggling with
| the fierce monster
VICTORY SOON WON.
What appeared 10 the spectators n very
! hazardous undertaking seemed 70 the
! hunter prime sport. and by quick and
deNtrous movements he soon had the
| creature secure but stil flashing his
| enormous tail. Splashing mud about, hiss
/ ing and blowing all the while, he was
| dragged ashore by means Of gan on =
| long pole which was securely fastened
in the alligator's lower jaw. and after
landing him the process OF tieing up his
savage mouth commenced. This DONE he
was tied 10 a tree and left for the pres
ent, while the party continued further on
| and captured allie two more good-sized
! ones. They. too, showed their resentment,
| but were soon subducd by Mr.. Eyer and
several gentlemen Of the party. who
bravely assisted, while the ladies kept
| safe distance and screamed most cour-
/ ageously.
Then commenced the return TO the
| boats. The hunter. assisted by the men
! OF the party, succeeded I'm dragging tho
! huge alligators 10 the boats and towed by
| the launch the captives were soon dis
! PLAYED on the spacious lawn Of tho hotel
| and viewed by large crowds and many
! snap shots taken or them.
| HABITS OF THE ALLIGATOR.
II may he interesting 10 know some
! thing OF the habits of the alligator as
| learned from this experienced hunter.
! The alligator digs a cave under the bank
! Of the stream or lake which he In
| habits, and here he makes his home
| during the winter months. In ATTITUDES
| farther north where he is found he be-
/ comes more dormant, but in Southern
! Florida on Indian river. he IS found on
warm. sunny days on the banks Of the
streams.
The female rarely goes far from
| the neghborhood Of her home
| or cave and deposits her eggs
| on the bank, first covering them
| leaves and other matter containing hui
| mors, and as decomposition sets in the
| heat generated causes the eggs 10 hatch,
| and inside Of twenty-five 10 thirty-five
days the young come forth. She will lay
| from twenty to forty eggs, usually in
| June. but only once year.
| The length of a full grown female Is
| from nine 10 eleven feet. The males at
| tain from sixteen 10 eighteen feet weigh
ing from 200 to 300 pounds. All the hide
except the corrugated strip down the
| centre of the back is used for commercial
| purposes. but quite recently this has been
found useful in making very handsome
ladies' bags.
THE HUNTER.
| There is much more of very interesting
history about the alligator. his habits,
| etc. but word about who first con-
ceived the idea of entertaining tourists
this novel fashion may be OF interest
| TO your readers. Possibly the picture has
been formed in your mind OF the man
| following such an occupation-doubtless
| on the order Of Nick Of the Woods or
! some similar character. This man is evil
! IDENTIFY between thirty and thirty-five
| years old. tall. straight and slender, as
becomes hunter; mild. laughing but
| bright brown eyes; smooth face and
/ abundant brown hair-in fact. more
| Don Juan than Nick Of the Woods a gem
| tleman By birth and education. and when
] In, Ina ftf.H az nf
| the famous hotels here IS, indeed, Il
| striking figure.
| Why does ne hunt alligators? may be
asked In the first place, he is born
| naturalist. and having lived I'm Florida
| for eighteen years where there IS so
| much OF great interest to the keen lover
| of the wood and nature. he long ago BE-
| gan to study the habits OF the alligators,
| animals and birds found IN this state, and
has a very large collection OF specimens,
| consisting Of birds Of plumage snakes,
fish. many Of the smaller wild animals
| and curios of all kinds. lie has collected
for the Smithsonian Institute AT Washing
| ton over eleven hundred and fifty speci-
| mems.
FULL OF PROJECTS
| Mr.. Eyer is one of the most modest Of
! men. and yet full OF ambition, hopes and
| projects. and in tho not far dis
| tant future will reap the reward
| OF his tircoss efforts. and meet the
| success so richly deserved and worthy
| OF bis rare talents and earnest en-
deavors. he is a true representative Of
our grand free institutions. and whether
| in jeans hunting alligators or dressed for
| a reception, is thorough gentleman
| For six years now he has been taking
out parties of tourists from Rockledge on
| these hunts. in his handsome launch, the
| Nancy Hanks.
| 1t is only the winter months that he
| INDUCES this sport or as he pleases 10
| call It, his hobby. and this is his breath
| ing spell. as his business connection is
| the very best and when he has achieved
his high hopes and worthy ambitions,
| and rests after the battle. what pleasant
| memories will crowd around him and
| what stories he will tell OF the time
| when he was the famous alligator hunter
| OF the Indian river.