Host to an Alligator
Although it seems to be a far fetched consideration, there was an alligator raised in Sheldon Junction. From rhw Swanton Courier, August 16, 1962 we read the following:
THE SOUTHERN-BORN ALLIGATOR being held by George W. Severance of Sheldon Junction is being privileged to grow up in Vermont. It’s been up here since last March when George’s father ,Clarence, was given it by his brother-in-law, Clelan Jones, in Wilmington, N.C., It’s now three years old, 28 inches long and weighs five pounds. It eventually will become eight feet long. It lives in a specially built wooden box containing several inches of water; eats only about three ounces of raw meat a week, five br six worms daily and an occasional slice of bread.
It has a friendly attitude toward George but hisses when other persons stand next to the box..
An update from the Swanton Courier Dec 13, 1962 reads:
INDOORS FOR ITS first winter in the north country is the alligator of George Severance of Sheldon Junction. The tank of water in which it is quartered has been moved indoors. Along with its daily menu of an eighth of a pound of hamburg and five or six fish worms, it receives an occasional bit of venison., It is sleeping most of the 24 hours and is becoming more congenial..
On August 8, 1962 the Swanton Courier again reported on the Alligator
STRICTER RUES now are in effect for the alligator which George Severance has had for two years at his home in Sheldon Junction. He created a special pond for it, but it broke away and tried to become a resident of the Missisquoi River. It was spotted and George was able to encircle the 3½ foot-long creature with a fish net. Hereafter it will be limited to the tank where it lived prior to the pond. It’s now especially fond of baby frogs.
Some who fish or swim in the Missisquoi may want to know “So what happened to the Alligator”?