Year: 1867

THE Big SNAKE OF CANAAN, COMA
correspondent of the Poughkeepsie Daily
Eagle denies the report recently published
in the Armenia Times, that the big snake
which has furnished local sensation for
Canaan, Conn, for many years, has been
shot, or that any one has attempted to shoot
it, but declares that an ordinary shot gun
would have no more effect on 1t than pop
gun on an iron-clad, and a man would be
called crazy who would attempt 1t. vi Its
history and appearance he gives the follow


ing graphic account: a. 1t has been seen
every morning for the last fifteen years IN
nearly the same spot. 1t was seen but
short time ago by gentleman OF the highest
responsibility, who is well known, and no
one would think of doubling his statements.
His name is A. Boardman, skllliul ma
chinist, recently employed by Mr.. Amerln,


in the manufacture of his celebrated wrought
iron cannon at Falls Village. Mr.. b. was
passing along the highway where the snake
has been generally seen, not thinking any
thing about it, when suddenly his eye caught
something lying under large elm tree,
which looked like the shadow of large
limb. Its shining brilliancy and the real
shadow of the tree being opposite from where
the object lay, the thought instantly entered
his mind that it was nothing less than the
big snake he had heard so much about, and
SO it proved to be, for it Immediately started
for the swamp. The animal having to cross
n road, he had fair view of his snakeship


A thrill of horror rushed through his veins
as the monster crushed its way through the
brush with almost the speed of lightning
into the swamp. and was Immediately lost
to sight. Mr. B. thinks it would measure
thirty inches around its body in the largest
place. In fact, it appeared to be Of nearly
one size, except three feet from the end Of
the tail which tapered considerably towards
the end. It's length he should Judge to be
not far from twenty eight to thirty feet. Its
skin was so black and bright that it fairly
dazzled. The farmers in the vicinity com.
plain less of the depredations of the animal
than formerly. On the borders of the swamp
where it lives, Craze large herds of cows, and
it is among these it gets its living. The
owners of these cows have for some time
past wondered why some of their best milk
ers had failed to give their usual quantity of
milk; as it is only in the morning the own
ers miss it, they have come to the conclusion
that the snake sucks them, and thus gets it's
living. 1t is we'll known that snakes are
fond of warm, new milk, and it is this kind
of food, no doubt, that has caused this one
u grow to such immense proportions
There is a reward Of one hundred dollars
offered by private citizen for its capture
alive, and fifty if killed. There is a strong
pressure bearing on the town authorities to
offer a reward large enough to secure its
capture or destruction, and the subject will
be brought before our annual town meeting
the first Monday in October. Hundred
who attended the camp meeting lately held
bprp m mn for tho nt "
where this monster snake lived, than to seek
for the straight and narrow way. Few
could be induced to stay on the ground
nights, for fear it might make them a visit.
1t was this one thing more than any other
that made the meeting almost failure
One man has determined to sell his farm
and leave the place. His wife has already
left, and says she will never live on the place
again until the snake is killed. There is a
perfect panic among the people, and what
will be the result time alone can determine