August 3, 1906
MAMMOTH SNAKE ON THE TALLMADGE ROAD
A Snake as mammoth as the traditional sea serpent is frightening people along the Tallmadge road near town and the great reptile is now believed to be in a coal mine close to the road.
Will Cowen, who is employed by F. Clayton on the McQuillen farm, saw the serpent Wednesday, and he declares that it is at least 25 feet long. He heard a screeching noise in a hickory tree in the woods near the road and was attracted to the tree, where he claims he saw a fox squirrel racing around in the top of the tree and coiled about the sapling was a top of the tree and its body was coiled around the trunk several times, while its tail extended six or eight feet on the ground. The reptile had great yellow spots on it and was light-colored.
Cowen called for Clayton at once but the noise of his voice frightened the snake, which crossed over the road and went into the coal mine. Where the snake went over the fence its weight broke one of the rails. The snake was trying to catch the squirrel.
Charles Authenreith and others are reported to have seen the reptile Sunday, but it is said they did not attack it but rather ran away from it. A snake measuring 19 feet long was killed in the same vicinity three years ago, it is claimed.
The Akron Beacon Journal, August 3, 1906
August 7, 1906
HAS CUYAHOGA FALLS SNAKE ARRIVED AT APPLE CREEK?
Considerable excitement was created at Apple Creek late Sunday afternoon when S.C. Hofstettler, a reputable man drove into the village and told of seeing a monster snake stretched across the public highway. It is stated that Hofstettler’s horse stopped in the road very suddenly and refused to budge in spite of vigorous urging and that the horse was so frightened that it shook with terror, that Hofstettler got out of the buggy and looking caused the poor horse to shake with terror. The reptile which Mr. Hofstettler said he thought was a blue racer, slowly dragged itself across the road and disappeared in a gully. Hofstettler declared that the snake was fully 20 feet long and as thick as his leg at the thickest portion. It is expected to organize a posse and endeavor to hunt and kill the monster. This is doubtless the huge snake that many have seen during the last few years in that section of the county. So far as is known this is the first time that the great reptile has been seen this summer.
The Akron Beacon Journal, August 7, 1906
August 14, 1906
That Cuyahoga Falls snake story has got as far as the capital of the country, and the Washington Post suggests that “closer investigation may reveal the fact that the 25-foot reptile came out of a gallon jug.”
The Akron Beacon Journal, August 14, 1906
September 8, 1915
FALLS MEN CHASE 20 FOOT SNAKE TO CAVE IN GORGE
There They Lose Trail and Fear to Venture Inside to Stir It Out.
The big 20-foot snake recently reported near Keller’s brickyard, has been run to earth and his hiding place discovered in the cave of the winds, more familiarly known as Bachelor’s hall near the Old Maid’s Kitchen in the gorge.
A group of six men from the south end picked up the trail and followed, resolving to solve the mystery. The trail led them to the brink of the cave, where all marks suddenly ceased, and none were brave enough to venture inside and stir him out.
The recent chilly weather is said to account for his non-appearance.
This cave makes a splendid den for his snakeship if all reports are true. The place is said to reach back under the bluffs for a considerable distance, and one of the older residents, who entered the cave, years ago before the fall of the big rock that closed the entrance to anything bigger than coons and woodchucks, declared that he never saw so many snakes, bats, and owls.
Akron Beacon Journal 8 Sept 1915