Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-22
A SEA SERPENT
Causes a Reign Of Terror
Among Bayside People.
No One Dares Fish or Swim in the ST.
Croix River.
Monster Terrifies Everyone Who Be-
hAlds Its Ugly Form.

st. Andrews, N. B., July PA reign
of terror exists among the good folk
who inhabit the little village Of Bay
side. They have seen the dreaded sea
serpent, head, tail and fins.
No one will venture into the st. CroiX
river either to swim or to fish, and sew
eral small cannon have been mounted
and trained on the peaceful waters and
with sharp-eyed gunners ready~to hurl
shells at the monster of the deep should
be again make his appearance.
Unlike the majority of sea serpent ru-
mors the latest story can be corrobor-
ated by dozens of eye witnesses.
Walter Greenlaw is one of the best
known fishermen in the village. He is
pic badly 40 years old and has been all
his |. : Il total abstainer, and is an elder
of the quaint little Presbyterian church
on the kill.
He is the last man one would suspect
of manufactu rng a sea serpent story
Monday, Grcenlaw and his younger
brother dropped down the st. Croix for
a days fishing.
Just after noon when the tide began
to rush in, Greenlaw the elder, heard a
peculiar noise Looking down the river,
swishing through the calm water at a
terrific speed.
AS it approached to within a few
hundred yards, Greenlaw saw the
animals head suddenly disappear and
the tremendous fins still were kept
above water and cut through with ter
rible swiftness. The first sets of fins
were about 20 feet apart and the next
fully so feet behind these.
The relative position they maintained
all the time that Greenlaw, with fright
ened eyes, was gazing upon them. He
yelled to his brother to man the oars
while he himself seized a marlin spike
and prepared to defend himself from
the animals attacks.
But evidently the sea serpent was not
in pugnacious mood, for it shot past
the terrified fishermen, and leaving q
torpedo boat trail, was soon lost to
sight.
Knowing that there was shallow wa
ter up the river Greenlaw concluded
that the serpent would soon return, ana
he therefore made for the shore. His
brother through fear had collapsed and
Law almost senseless in the bottom of
the boat.
AS they neared shore, the serpent was
again deserted coming down the river
This time the animals head was up out
of the water. but so frightened were the
fishermen that they cannot even de-
scribe he conformation of the monsters
head except that the eyes were of re-
markable size and as green as Starboard
lights.
On the river bank was a party OF
Sunday school children from Rob
binston, Me.
When they saw the strange fish APP
preaching they rushed ashore scream
ing loudly, and none of them would
again venture into the water. Wher
Greenlaw told the village folks Of his
experience steps were Immediately
taken to capture the monster IL nc
should again venture up the river.
Heavy seines were sunk in the river
and it is hoped that the sea serpent OF
mammoth eel will be secured.
Meanwhile the village folks are afralC
to go near the river.
Old salts are telling that Is years
ago. Capt. Stinson, the veteran pilot OF
the st. Croix river. declared he saw
monster serpent in practically the same
spot where the GreenlaWS Iau tieli
stirring adventure.
Not only is this corroboratlve EVIL
dence at hand. but the coast records
tell of a most wonderful incident nearly
40 years ago when a small boat belong
ing to the steamer Queen was bitten il
two by an animal that was described
as sea serpent of the most terrifying
sort.
Scientists are agreed that sea ser
penis are very. very rare, but their life
tenacity is something remarkable. Three
or 400 years is believed to be the usua
span of a sea serpent's existence. TneN
travel at a speed estimated to be abou
$50 knots an hour. so that one of thes'
animals can shoot across the Atlanta
in less than "a hours time.