Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-09-13
Capturing An Alligator.

In spite of the fact that reptiles have
small and dull brains, the alligator ap-
pears to have acquired craftiness in
eluding hunters that is comparable to the
same quality in the bear. The big reptile
has gradually retreated from the rivers
where il was exposed 10 hostile obServa-
tion, and has taken up its abode in
swamps that are remote and not often
disturbed.
To capture an alligator alive requires
skill in approaching the reptiles hauuts.
The climax OF the hunt is often adesperate
and exciting struggle; that was certainly
the case when DR.. Raymond L. DitmarS
caught big alligator in the cypress
swamps OF the Savanna River.
The alligators were very shy. In
making our way toward the pools We
had 10 move with the utmost care, IN
order 10 avoid brittle twigS or rustllng
leaves. One day, when we had stealthilY
approached a bayou, we observed an al
ligator about eleven feet long sprawling
on the bank, with dozen smaller spe-
cimens, ranging in length from two to
four ieet.
As we crouched behind an enormous
cypress trunk Smothered in vines, one Of
the party, sinking in ooze, threw out an
arm to save himself. On the instant it
seemed that every alligator in the bayou
had received an electric shock. The big
alligator went into the water with crash,
sending up geYser OF muddy spray.
The rush OF the smaller reptiles was
simultaneous, and If was followed by the
appearance Of many infant alligators that
had been prowling about among the cy-
press knees. They came from all drec
tions, running like frightened chicks, for
the protecting water.
On another day we saw an alligator
dive into water hole that was not more
than six feet in diameter. When we
sounded this hole we found il 10 be five
feet deep, with an underwater tunnel that
ran off at sharp vertical slope 10 a dis
tance Of twelve feet. Our collecting
wagon was only a mile away, and we
returned there for a steel alligator hook,
an axe and coil OF rope.
When we returned we cut a slender
young cypress and attached the hook to
If. A half hours manoeuvflng enabled
us 10 hook the reptile in his underground
retreat. II remained motonless until the
hook was firmly caught, then it began TO
struggle furiousy. To drag it on! was
herculean task, but we finally brought
il 10 the surface and threw moose over
its jaws. Then we got the moose round
and behind its forefeet and thence over
the Jaws again and tied il to a cypress
tree. The struggles OF the alligator were
vigorous. We worked on platform OF
bark hastily torn from decaying tree,
which prevented us from sinking 10 our
knees in the swamp. Between showers
OF mud thrown by the alligators tail we
looped the creatures jaws in a way TO
form rope muzzle, with about ten feet
attached for pulling.
After hauling our captive full quarter
mile out OF the thicker part otthe swamp,
we brought in the wagon. Lifting the
animal, we bound him to the floor upon
paddings OF Spanish moss, and then
drove ten miles over corduroy roads 10
the pinelands, where our collecting base
was.
We had rented house as our camp
and, having no cage for the alligator,
were in doubt what 10 do with him until
morning, when we could build ashipping
crate. Our troublesome specimen was
eight feet long and about two hundred
pounds in weight. He was threatening
to destroy the wagon and causing us no
little anxiety when we conceived the
idea OF locking him in our best bedroom.
With much prudence we moved our
furniture and baggage before the alligator
went in. His initial struggles with his
new surroundings shook the house, and
a blow from his head loosened the door
fastenings. But the room held him, and
the next morning we built a crate in
which TO ship him north TO the Bronx