The Pike County Journal Zebulon, Ga., Tuesday, July 29, 1890 A Big Snake Story Jordan’s Store, July 24th 1890. A day or two ago while Mr. J.D. Carriker with some other workmen were repairing his dam preparatory for the fall ginning, he encountered rather a rough specimen of the blunt tail moccasin. Her snakeship was reclining between two boards of the old dam when discovered and was at once hauled in by the sure stroke of [a] negro with a hoe. The young of the large snake ran in her mouth at the approach of danger, but they were forced out and averaged nine inches in length and were as vicious as their natural guardian striking at anything in their reach. A count was made as they were taken from their hiding place and it was found that there were sixty two of them. They were all promptly exterminated. The parent snake measured four feet in length. This circumstance is vouched for by Mr. Carriker himself and was witnessed by a number of others including Mr. L.B. Scoggins and S.L. Jimmerson. Mr. Carriker’s pond is proving itself very prolific in the production of reptiles as well as the finny tribe. Au Fait. (Transcribed 10/7/02 Lynn Cunningham)