The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-01
CREOLE GREATEST
HUNTER OF GATORS
Louisiana Light-Keeper Win:
Title in Battle With Gigantic
Saurian.

Washington, November 3o-Acccrd-
lng to Louis j. IIcnnessy, OF New or
leans. Deputy Scrgeant-at-Ar,ns Of the
Senate, Daniel Treadway is the cham
pion alligator hunter Treadway has
charge Of the government light off tho
entrance to Bayou Lacombe, a stream
cFnptying into Lake Pontchartrain. I'm
southeast Louisiana. lie is 4 typical
creole, ana when not engaged in at
tending to his lighthouse duties he
hunts gators
Night is the best time to go after
gators" says IEcnncssey 'Theadway
invadcs their swamp homes armed IN
the most primitive manner In add
ton TO n small craft called a pirogue.
resembling canoe. hc is equipped
with a blunt Ratchet slune TO MS belt
and tcn-foot pole with keen knife
fastened to the end. y bicycle lamp
adjusted on the top of his head com
pietes tnc outht. This light illumin-
atcs the dark recesses oi the swamp
and cNcris hypnotic influence on his
prey.
'on the night tina, he encountered
ms prize trophy. Treadway had spent
several hourg ia uusuccessfullv mad
uIlng his piroguc through the many
small streams that intcr4ct the swamp
adjacent I" Bayo. Lacombe. fic vas
on the point OF giving up the hunt
wnen his attention was suddenly at
tracted by loud splash short dis
lance ahead
Towering his head so as to pernit
ms lantern TO shine on the dark water
IN front. the Creole glided softly INTO
me darkness. As tho light swept the
surface he noted the ponderous hulk on
n saurian az II swan across the stronn,
Ireadway gave his plroguc n lIstv
shove In an effort to intercept it By
TINS time the gator was aware that
an enemy was near. First it swan
n ,,!',, IN semi-circlc, ana then,
without moments warning. headed
straight for the approaching p!roruc
Narrow Escape From Death,
lH'S was an unlocked for ma
noeuNre, and the hunter scarcely bad
tim" 10 turn his craft before the mon.
ster swept past Bringing the hny
o! IN" piroEue around the Creole
awaited the charge that was not LONG
IN coming. knceling in the bottom of
ms craft, he underworld to keen his
liEht focused in the eyes Of his quarry
nut ~ this instance IL only served ia
accelerate the gators ,uoy.,nc,,is
Hathering all its force. the gator head
ad TOR the boat. ana although tho DC
cupaht Skilful!y evadcd the shock. the
TAN swished out of the water and sent
him SPRAYING into tho stream
standing waist -dcep i'm Hli,un ,nd
water. the hunter caught hold of bis
nalt-sunken piroguc ana held /, befor,
nun. Ills light still burned and he saw
Inc gator preparing to resume tho fray
AS II neared the pirogue lis hulk fairly
rose out OF the water. and it's yawning.
JAWS caught hold OF one side Of m.
vessel,
nusky breath was near enough to sick
en- the hunter. but I've managed to sum
mon enough strength to deliver a
crushing blow with his hntchet. II
caught the gator squarey on tho ton
OF his scaly head. intlictinc a gaming
wound. but having no enect upon The.
reptiles furious spirit.
men tho gator drew off To make =.
maj attempt To crush its terrified on
ponent. Holding on to the fragment
ni ms piroguc and Keeping his light in
the blood-shot eyes of his enemy. ;ha
creole decided to make nn ccfort ~, ne
gam the bank and escape tho inpcnd
ing rush. Backing cautiously through
Inc slippcry footing he managed 10
gain the land, but / store H.. was able
TO get out OF the water he was obliged
10 brace himself and meet the gators
onslaught
Fortunately. tho blood STREAMING
from the wound in the gators head
served To blind his vision. Instead Of
coming directly at the man in the wa
Ter IT swerNcd I little TO his right. and
TINS afforded the hunter an opportunity
10 get in another blow with his weapon.
RMS completely stUencd the brute
Drawing closer the hunter selected a
vulnerable spot between the eyes. and
before the gator could recover his
senses the Creole administered tho coup
de Grace