Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1879 — SOME SNAKE STORIES. [ARTICLE]

SOME SNAKE STORIES.

Georgia’s Rattlesnakes.—lrwin is the champion rattlesnake county of Georgia, so far. A few days ago, one of the venomous reptiles was killed there, which was six feet long, eighteen inches around the body, and sported fourteen rattles.— Savannah (Ga.) News. A Big Horned Snake.—On Thursday last, Messrs. George Johnson and Davie Wills killed, on the former’s farm in Hall county, Ga., a huge horned snake which measured eight feet in length. Its horn, which is on the end of the tail, and used as a weapon of defense, was over two inches in length.— Gainesville (Ga.) Eagle. That Champlain Serpent.—A Lake Champlain Frenchman gives the following solution of the recently reported water monster: “I see dat on de paper ’bout a sarpint, and I knows somebody bin fooled. I see dat same ting good many time. Sometime he be crooked tree, old log. Sometime I see big sturgeon jump, and some loon he try to fly, he make one big splash and dive. Big snake all one big lie. I live more dan forty year on de island. I see ali dose tings. De man who start dat story he drink too much. He like see snake in his boot next time.”— Springfield Republican. Snake, or Calf?—A cow belonging to John H. MeCroskey, of Tipton,lowa, recently brought into the world a calf with what was called a snake head. The body and legs were regularly formed, but the neck was perfectly round and fully as large as the head. The nose and upper jaw were split clear through, and the tongue, which was sharp like that of a snake, protruded up through the opening. The eyes, large and flat, looked straight up, while the top of the head and nose were nearly on a line. The under jaw was apparently without jowles and was little more than a continuation of the neck. It was unable to stand, but would get upon its knees and wave its head and dart its tongue out like a snake. It also attempted to crawl, and, when lying down, showed many characteristics of the serpent.

A Sea Serpent as Bio as a Junk’s Mast. -The Tokio (Japan) Tinies says: “Capt. Davidson, Master of the Mitsu Bishi steamship Kiusbiu Maru, gives the following relation of what passed before his eyes on his voyage from Riu Kiu to Kobe in the early part of the month. The statement is duly signed by himself, and countersigned by Mr. John McKechnie, the chief officer, and its authenticity appears to be beyond question: ‘ Saturday, April 5, at 11:15 a. m., Cape Satano distant about nine miles, the chief officer and myself observed a whale jump clear out of the sea, about a quarter of a mile away. Shortly after it leaped oat again, when I saw there was something attached to it. Got glasses, and on the next leap distinctly saw something holding on to the belly of the whale. The latter gave one more spring clear of the water, and myself and the chief officer then observed what appeared to be a large creature of the snake species rear itself about thirty feet out of the water. It appeared to be about the thickness of a junk’s mast, and, after standing for about ten seconds in an erect position it descended into the water, the upper end going first. With my glass 1 made out the color of the beast to resemble that of a pilot-fish.’ ” Reorganization of the Russian Army. An imperial ukase just issued from St. Petersburg orders that the Russian army shall undergo an important transformation. There are in Russia 140 regiments of infantry, each consisting of three battalions, subdivided into five companies. Now each regiment is to consist of fovr battalions, subdivided into four companies. This measure increases the Russian army by 20,000 men in time of peace, and by 130,000 men in time of war. The reorganization of the army is to begin at once, and must be pushed on rapidly.— Paris Soleil. Amnesty has been granted to 2,771 French Communists.