A TALL YARN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1182, 24 May 1884, Page 2

A TALL YARN.

Perhaps the greatest living curiosities now in existence in this country will pass through this city (says Uie. Jacksonville Times) in a few day. About two years ago Charles Lewis, of Lewis Brothers' ' Bloody Knife Combination Company,' in passing through the State, discovered, 15 miles below St. Augustine, a family of white persons, consisting of John M'JDonald, his wifr, and five children. 'lwo r.f the children ho found to be half human and half alligator. He at once contracted with the parents to give him the management of the children, and agreed to pav 25 dols per month to care for them until such time as he saw fit to take them away. A few weeks ago Mr Lewis returned to the State for the purpose of taking the children north, and on Wednesday, arrived in this city to arrange for their transportation. He will go to St Augustiße on Monday after the children, and arrive in this city with them perhaps on Tuesday morning, and will remain t#re about

fire hours before leaving for Louisville. Mr Lewis does not intend lo exhibit them here except perhaps to a few friends and acquaintances. These children are now nearly nine years of age, and hare never been 10 miles from their home, and consequently bare never been placed on exhibition. Their bodies, arms, and heads from the hips up are perfectly formed, and downward present the identical appearance of an alligator, having a perfectly formed tail about five feet in length together with the hind feet and legs of the alligator. They crawl round on their hands and feet, converse intelligently, and seem to enjoy life very much. They live part of the time in the water, which they enjoy very much, using their tails while swimming, the same as the alligator, to propel their bodies. They are healthy, good looking, and well developed children, and outside of their love for water their general mode of living is the same as that of other human beings.