Horseshoe Falls at Chats Lake 
    before the dam was built 
    Source: National Archives                           Chats Falls Dam
    Photo # PA-009337

July 7 1882 — notes from the Almonte Gazette

The Arnprior Chronicle is responsible for the following; which reads a little “ snaky” : Sea serpent stories have been given the go by by newspaper paragraphers of late, owing to the incredible yarns told by people who profess to have sees the “rare old devil himself.”

Many people are said to have, seen these monsters in venous parts of the country, but as no one has ever been known to to capture one. It is but a few years since Mr. Robert Young, one of our most worthy and respected citizens, caught a glimpse of an aquatic monster m Chats Lake, which he describes as being of enormous size and proportions.

Capt. Brown, of the steamer Alliance, also got a view of one of these monsters in the waters the summer before last, and various other people claim to have seen large specimens at different times and at divers places.

Photo from Canadian Virtual Museum

But this week we are in a position to announce the capture of what is probably one of the of the real, original Old Chats Lake serpent, which has often struck terror to the hearts of superstitious river men. While coming down from the Snow Rapids with a tow on Monday morning, and while off Blackwell’s island, the crew of the Levi Young noticed a huge serpent swimming ahead.

Mr. John Dungan, chief engineer, and a deck hand named Shaw jumped into the bun and steered in pursuit of the reptile. They succeeded in getting within striking distance of the serpent, when Mr. Dungan struck it a blow over the head with his oar. The beast then turned and made for the occupants of the boat literally churning the water with its tail in fury.

Another powerful and well directed blow with an oar on the neck of the serpent laid it dead when it was taken its tow and brought aboard the steamer. The crew of the boat stretched it out on the rail, and measured it with a rule. Its total length was eleven feet, while its body was over thirteen inches in circumference.

Its jaws was pried open and a pair of compasses inserted, which were opened out to a distance of six inches. The description given of this reptile is to be the same as that given by Mr. Young and Capt Brown,- so that it is possible that why they just killed was a descendant of the old King Snake who has sported himself in Chats Lake for years past.