Halifax Citizen
Halifax, Nova Scotia]

October 15, 1864

Something Like a Snake.

The Trenton people are just now considerably agitated about a great serpent
which has been seen in the Bay [of Quinte] by a number of the inhabitants of
the village. There have been a good many reports about the existence of
such a serpent for some time past, but as they could not be definitely
traced, very little credence was attached to them. However, the matter has
at length been settled beyond question, for the “sea monster” has been seen
by a resident of the village, a Mr. Julius Baker who is said to be perfectly
sensible. Not many days ago, while he and his wife were in a boat near
Indian Island, they were suddenly startled by a great splashing in the
water, and looking around discovered within about 10 rods of the boat, the
head and neck of a great serpent, about two feet out of water. Mr. Baker
describes the head to be in appearance like a bull dog, and says the neck
was about “three feet through.” Both were very much frightened, and
immediately pulled for shore. Before reaching land the snake was seen three
times, once only six yards from the boat, and again, after they had landed,
only a few feet off. Mr. Baker said it followed him to the shore, and made
at times a fearful noise. We may remark that the story is believed by some
of the most respectable inhabitants to be strictly true[,] they having the
utmost confidence in the statements of Mr. and Mrs. Baker. – Belleville
Intelligencer.