New-York tribune., 1901-08-10
ALLIGATOR UNDER KNIFE.
ROPES, PRODS AND CHLOROFORM PRE-
PARE HIM FOR OPERATION.
HE FLIPs HIS TAIL AND EIGHT MEN
TUMBLE-TUMORs CUT FROM HIS FEET.

HE FLIPs HIS TAIL AND EIGHT MEN
TUMBLE-TUMORs CUT FROM HIS FEET.
Big Nose. the thirteen-foot alligator in the
New-York Geological Park. was successfully
operated by DR. Frank II. Miller. of the
New-York Geological Society, yesterday for the
removal Of two large tumors from the forefeet,
after struggle lasting almost an hour between
the saurtan and eight men. Even after Big
Nose was strapped and roped until it seemed
Impossible for him to move he would give
twist. and snap would go the ropes, showing
that the enormous strength credited 20 him
was not a myth.
The alligator has for long time been troubled
with two tumors as big as apples which grew
on each of his forefeet. Last week he grew
RACED at a smaller alligator that accidentally
trod on of the sore spots and killed IT,
Then II decided that the tumOrs would have
to come off.
AT p m. preparations were begun TO capture
Nose He was lying half in and half out Of the
water in the alligator tank at the east end OF
the reptile house when the water let out.
This seemed TO surprise him He Iashed his
tail around and made a noise with his mouth
trat sounded like the blowing off OF a safety
valve on steam engine The eight attendants
that had gathered around looked a trife
anxious Four smaller alIigators We're prodded
with long pick in the hands of the manager
or the reptile house r. j. Ditmars. who forced
them to 60 up a steep bank at the side of the
tank, which led to a little platform arranged
for them. Then everything was ready for the
capture of Big Nose
The first step to slip a big bag, gunny
sack. over the reptiles head The bag was put
on long pole. and Mr.. Ditmars waited for a
favorable opportunity to drop II over the ALI
gators head. This soon came. and the bag was
securely tied with ropes. So far everything had
been easy and Big Nose had been docile enough
When the attendants attempted to draw a moose
over his tail the trouble began.
BIG NOSE OBJECTS TO ROPES.
Big Nose gave his tail gentle flip and the
eight attendants who had hold IF the rope fell
over one another Then the big alligator grew
angry. He twisted and turned and Jumped
around the tank until the atteudauts were al
most panic stricken. Then the superintendent
Of the park William T. Hornaday. who mp to
this time had been a locker on jumped dow n
into tho tank and grabbed the rope attached TO
Moses tail. But the alligator was no respecter
OF persons He treated the superintendent In
exactly the same way, and very soon Mr.. Horna-
day found himself on his hands and knees in
the bottom OF the tank.
\ platform then brought in and placed
on the floor Of the tank The eight men stood
az one end while Manager Ditmars stood at the
other end Of the tank on the outside. and
rrodded the alligator with a pick Then Big
Nose made a mistake. He pushed himself along.
climbed on the platform and lay there. just
where they wanted him 10 20.
The attendants quickly slung ropes around
him and in a few minutes had the alligator. as
they thought bound hard and fast But he
FTr str ned
and struggled until he snapped the ropes that
bound him AS II they had been threads. but he
st!II remained on the platform. other and
stronger ropes were sent for and at last. after
nearly an hours night, the immensesauridn was
la-hrG securely.
up and placed crosswis- on Two boxes so that
Or. Miller. who was 70 perform the operation
would have plenty ~ room. This was no easy
matter. as the platform and aIhSa."r together
weighed nearly eight hundred pounds
II was found necessary 10 chlortortH Biz Nose
a. ne kept moving his feet and prevented Dr
three ounces OF chloroform before he succumbed
SHAKES HIMSELF LIKE \ DOG.
At 30 o'clock the tumors had been removed
The order was then given to unloosc the ropes
which bound the alligator TO the platform. This
was almost as risky as the tying had been.
When the bag was removed from Big Moses
head IL that he had come out Of his
stupor. and his eyes cleaned wickedly-
When the last rope was removed Big Nose
stood right up on his feet very unusual thing
for an alligator 10 do, and shook himself as
a dog would do after having swim Then
he walked of the platform and lay down al
one end Of the tank. perfectly quiet Every
body heaved sigh Of relief when IL seen
that Big Nose had no desire to cause any more
trouble. The tank quickly cleared and the
platform lifted out. Then the water was lei
in. and In "A few minutes the aigators were
swimming around as If nothing had ever oc-
CURED 10 disturb their peace and quiet.
Big Nose is OF the largest alligators ever
seen here. He measures thirteen feet in length
and four feet AT his widest part. He pre-
scented 10 the New York Geological Society last
September. and was originally brought from
Cocoa, Fla About two hundred persons wit
messed the operation in the reptile house which
was left open to the public.