Dubuque Daily Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
August 1, 1899
SEA SERPENT YARN.
Monster Leaves Seashore and Appears on Wabash River.
Gives a Desperate Fight to Some Fishermen But Is Finally Over-Powered – Will Be Preserved in Alcohol.
Jesse Plunkett, a ferryman on the Wabash river at Merom, Ind., captured a strange animal closely resembling a sea serpent the other afternoon. Man and serpent had a terrific struggle before it was finally stunned and pulled ashore. Plunkett observed a large black object about 12 feet long, with a number of large feet or fins and big eyes and mouth floating down the river. As he rowed toward it the object showed signs of life and uttered a terrible hissing sound, which was heard by F. B. Frawley and a party of fishermen, who were several hundred yards away. When the ferryman was within 15 feet of the serpent[,] it rose from the water with a leap and appeared as though about to fly. Plunkett attempted to change the course of his boat, and the serpent, evidently intending to pass him, made straight for the frail skiff. As it approached[,] it darted a fork-shaped tongue and rose above the water by leaps.
Frawley and the party of fishermen witnessed the race which followed, and attempted to reach Plunkett with a flat-bottomed scow. Plunkett rowed with a will born of desperation and was keeping a safe distance away, when the serpent glided into the air and in one leap covered the intervening space between it and the boat and struck the skiff, shattering the stern and almost sinking it. Frawley and his companions had by this time reached the scene, and they pulled Plunkett, who was thoroughly terrified, into their boat, and turned their attention to the serpent, which lay stunned in the water.
After some rowing about[,] Frawley, assisted by Plunkett, fastened a line about the serpent’s neck, and it was towed ashore before consciousness returned. Another terrific struggle followed the return to consciousness, and Plunkett was struck by the serpent and dashed to the earth. Only by the timely action of Frawley in striking it over the head with an empty flask was the struggle ended. The serpent is believed to have escaped from some circus, although persons living here have never before seen an animal like it. It will be preserved in alcohol and in all probability will be sent to some public museum.
This story has all the earmarks of the journalist having some fun with the readers, after receiving an initially straightforward sighting. If you note, a subtle under-theme is that the creature was struck “over the head with an empty flask” and will be “preserved in alcohol.” Also here is the old chestnut that it might have “escaped from some circus.” It’s a classic.
Thanks to Jerry Clark for sending this along. ~ Loren.
Follow CryptoZooNews
Not Found
The resource could not be found.