Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-10-19
AN ALLIGATOR FARM.

most unique enterprises in the Unit
ed States. 1t is an alligator farm. the
only establishment of its kind in the
world.
A mountain stream tumbling down
into the valley forms chain of small
shallow lakes, the home of the rep
tiles. Three years ago b. L. Camp
bell, veteran alligator hunter from
Florida, conceived the idea of enclos-
ing these lakes and raising big gators
for the ZOOS and circuses. The enor-
mity of his task will be realized when
it is known that the reptiles reach
maturity when about 35 years old and
often live 400 years. Nothing dauDt-
ed, however, Mr.. Campbell equipped
an expedition and penetrated the
Florida swamps to trap the huge wa
ter cow.
The methods employed in the cap
ture of these creatures is an original
one. The alligator is regular in his
habits and has certain favorite feed
ing grounds. In the day time he
will lie motionless in the shade OF
tree for hours at time, resembling
nothing 80 much as floating log.
At night he leaves the water in quest
OF food, A point in favor of the hunt
er is that the gator, unless disturbed,
enters and leaves the water at the
same place. A stout rope net is sus-
pended over one of these places and a
chunk of rIw pork is hung in the path
so that the least disturbance will
cause the net to fall. Then the hunt
er patiently settles to an all-night
vigil.
The Southern moon hangs like
crescent in the sky, and the night
bird calls softly to it's mate. A splash
a hoarse below and large bull
who has scented the bait gides across
the bayou and crawls slowly up the
bank. He smells the bait with Il
savage grunt of suspicion. Then, ap-
parently satisfied, the huge jaws open
and snap shut upon the tempting
morsel. Like shadow the net ia Is
over him. Enraged, surprised, the
bull Kisses fercely and lashes out
with his powerful tail. But it is
useless fight, for the more the gator
struggles and squirms the tighter the
hempen meshes enfold him. Then
the hunter springs oat to complete
his work, but let him use care, for one
snap of those vise-ike jaws, one
sweep of that 10-foot tail and he may
hunt no more. The bull is bound with
ropes from muzzle to tail. turned on
his back and dragged away to the
pens. A catch of rs alligatOrs is
considered a good weeks work for a
party of Is hunters.
Mr.. Campbell has about 500 big
alligators on his farm. They range
in length from 6 to II feet, and some
times weigh as much as 800 pounds.
The age of an alligator may be told
by the number of horns on its back.
Big Joe, king of the herd, is perhaps
the largest saurian in captivity. he
is II feet long and weighs over 800
pounds. He occupies a pond to him
self and is only allowed to run with
the herd in the brooding season. He
is valued by his owner at $500, and
his age lie estimated at 300 years.
King, another large bull, heads herd
of youngsters from 70 to 100 years
old.
The reptiles are fed once in three
weeks. They consume 500 pounds
of beef, which is furnished by Kan
sss City packing company. During
the winters, which are usually mild,
the alligators hibernate. AS soon as
they become stiff with cold they are
placed in wooden boxes, which FIT as
closely as cofins. These boxes are
placed in tiers in a large steam-heated
shed. There the gator lies without
food or water, in dormant condition
for about three months In the spring
each one must be fed before it is re-
leased. Otherwise, rendered fero-
cious by hunger, the big gators will
kill the smaller ones for food.
While he seems to thrive in cap
tivity, the alligator very rarely be-
comes tame. He will snap the hand
that feeds him as quickly as the hand
of stranger. He lies for days slug
gish and docile, but the Gshy eyes are
ever on the alert for an opportunity
to attack the keeper when his back
| is turned. The COVE are all kept in