Here is an interesting report of a miniature Sea Serpent for Montana, 1901. Of course, it would not be a “Sea Serpent,” at all, but a Lake Monster.

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Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana]

July 2, 1901

HE FOUND A SEA SERPENT

A Glass of Butte Water Reveals a New and Strange Reptile.

A STARTLING DISCOVERY

Clerk in A. B. Rombauer’s Assay Office

Thought He Had `Em, but It Was the Real Thing and He Feels Better Now.

The people in the concern of A. B. Rombauer, assayer, on Wyoming street [in Butte], are not drinking water any more. That is, not until they have put
it through a process of analysis as thorough and minute as that which they
treat the minerals brought them for disintegration. When one of their
number takes a drink of aqua now he first puts it through microscopic
examination to see if it is pure. They are firmly convinced that Butte
water is buggy.

By some accident one of the men in the office examined a glass full of water the other day before drinking it and happened to discover something which did not look good to him. It was about a quarter of an inch long and looked like a piece of very active sawdust. It lumped itself in the middle, wiggled that which by rights should be a tail and shot venomous glances of a rainbow variety from its front windows.

Procuring a powerful microscope, the modern Columbus took a closer look and let out a yell that could have been heard a mile. With trembling hands he sat the glass down and performed the same operation for himself. Pressing his hands to his head, he tried to figure out whether he could reach the nearest bar or not. The thing which had paralyzed his vision was a miniature sea serpent. It had eyes and a tail, a shaggy mane and other interesting reptilian features which are supposed to be familiar to those who are wont ever and anon to pour warm, red booze into their frames.

The reptile was shown to a reporter who, much to the astonishment of the exhibitor, evidenced no surprise, and discussed the various points of the
creature in a familiar manner.

The man who invents a pocket filter suitable to the needs of a confirmed water drinker will find a market at one place in Butte anyway.