The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-19

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The fish is of wonderful interest, mol
alone on account OF its tremendous size
but from scientific and geological
standpoint as well, as ID is the only
one of its species ever captured.
Captain Thompson was quick t.
recognize the great value OF his stupen-
dous prize and with characteristic en-
ergy and foresight he at once began
the huge task OF preserving 1T. To &C
complish this great task he displayed
as much courage and heroism as he
did in capturing the monster. AS a
matter of fact il required as much
nerve and fortitude to preserve this
monster mass OF flesh as it did to cap
tllre 1t i'm the terrific battle which last
eel thirty-nine hours.
Police Force Called Out.
The crowd that swarmed around tne
monster after it was gotten on the
wharf at Miami, was SO great that in
Burc self-defense Captain Thompson
wus forced to call out the police force
% maintain order while he rugged up !
canvas screen around the creature. TWO
men were kept busy for the entire day
passing the people in and out so tnat
all might have a chance to see the
monster.
In the meantime Captain Thompson
had wired the authorities OF the Smith
sonian Institution at Washington adj
vising them of his remarkable capture
and asking for advice and assistance in
preserving il. No response was forth
coming, the authorities evidently sus-
pecting that they were called on to deal
with another one of the big fish
stories" about which they were accus-
toned to hear such exaggerated state
ments at this season OF the year.
Captain Thompson was beginning to
feel apprehensve regarding the situa-
tion, whereupon DR.. Gudger. a gentle
man whose scientific attainments were
not unknown in Washington, wired a
confirmation of the captains remark
able claim and strongly advised
that in the interest of science, the
Smithsonian Institution should lend all
POSSIBLE aid in preserving such a rare
specimen for the benefit OF posterity.
The result was an immediate answer
with instructions as to the proper
course to be pursued, and also recon-
mending that Professor ]. 6. Warm
heath, an eminent naturalist and expert
taxidcrmist who had accompanied one
Of Peary's polar expeditions, be en-
gagged to prepare and mount the big
fish.
But before Professor Warmbetn
could arrive" said Captain Thompson,
in relating the story OF his great I'M
,iertaking, II soon realized that drastic
steps had to be taken If | would save
my prize.
The monstrous piece of flesh, lying
there in the hot sun, was showing I'M
mistakable signs of decomposition. OF
course no kind or fish smells exactly
like altar OF roses, no matter how
fresh ii may be, so when people be-
gan. complaining of the odor and We're
edging away from It's vicinity and when
the board of health took action and de-
clared the carcass a menace to the
health OF the community, l got busy
right away.
Wires Undertakers for Help
II had already wired to all the under
taking establishments on the East Coast
from Jacksonville to Key West, asking
for assistance and also buving every
gallon OF formaldehyde 1 could get.
'''rhe great, lubberly carcass was got
ten into the water and lowed across
Biscayne bay forty miles out to desert
sandspit where. with the assistance OF
a number OF hands, | set to work TO
save my prize.
You may imagine what an arduousl
Undertaking. this was when | tell Won
that the creatures hide was all of three
inches thick and so. tough we could
hardly make an incision in its surface
with our sharpest knives. 7. tell you
that we worked like Trofans night andl
nay. for the condition of the carcass
Mas getting worse all the time. Al
hough the monster was literally de-
luked with disinfectants. ninteen bar
rels being required to complete the Job, |
Il MAS the most horrible ordeal or thei
KIM I ever went through and one thatl
You may he sure required an immense
amount Of nerve and fortitude TO put
over.
White we were working on the car