Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-09-09
THE LARGEST SNAKE YET.

THE LARGEST SNAKE YET
As Mr.. Eliakm Thomas was returning on Sa
turlay week from excursion the Cat<kill
mountain, in New York he heard great rlstling
among the leaves close by, and presently the
startling sound Of the rattles, apparently Of an
guard. and it is well he did 50, for ON looking n
bout him, he presently discovered the appalling
sight Of rattlesnakc, with his head at least four
feet from the ground his body coil above COLL his
eyes flashing fire, his skin every minute changing
color, and his long fangs displayed As in the very
act Of springing upon his intended victim.
Such sight would have stricken terror into
the soul Of almost any other man except the gen.
tleman in question. Mr.. Thomas, who is an old
hunter, had seen rattlesnakes before, and, this
| animal always gives timely warning before it
strikes, SO Mr.. Thomas did not, in the present
instance, for moment lose his great presence
Of mind.
But not to trust himself too near his houorable,
but dangerous enemy, he kept at = prudent dis
tancc, and elevating his rifle, which fortunately
he had with him, he let fly charge into the mouth
of the snake, which, passing through his brain
, and out of the back Of his head, killed him dead
on the spot. Then, taking hooked stick, which
he had prepared for the purpose, he fastened it in
! the very orifice he had just made in Mr.. Snakes
skull, and thus conveniently, but with good
deal Of hard toll, dragged him to the village Of
! Catskill.
|
ter. he proceeded to the measurement Of his slain
adv crsary; and found his dimensions TO be as fol-
lows: length, III feet . inches; circumference in
the largest part, IL inches ditto round the head,
& l2 inches; ditto round the first rattle, inches
ditto round the last > inches length of the whole
series of rattles, 3 feet inches; number Of rat
ties, 50; length of the two poisonous fangs, Is
inches.
His weight was found to be within one ounce
OF 81 lbs. and, on frying out his oil, after being
duly Invested of his skin, there was found to be
very nearly five quarts. The skin has been stuff
ed, preparatory, as we understand, to being pre-
scented to the American Museum, in New York
But, whatever may be its destination, it cannot
but prove a real treat to the lovers Of natura
curiosity, whercsoever they may be-
. This immense snake is believed to have beer
, the largest Of his species Of which We have any
record.-[Catskll Observer.
, DWELLING BY THE WHOLESALE
Mr. Gibson editor Of the N. o. True American
proposes. in the present rage for that species Q
contentious and difficulties Of every kind by tn
!, wholesale, thus:
1--WE invite all and several Of those would-be
: heroes, to register their names, immediately, q
a the Office of the True American as we purpose
as soon rs the list is sufficiently FULL to charter
' couple Of handsome clipper built schooners, yer
: capable Of running a,ray in case Of need. Thes
schooners we propose to man with these gentl,
u men at arms, SO that they may have opportun
ty, as they arc bent on a fight, Of having il on
not with poor, paltry pistols, but with respectab
!; fullsized swivels. In Of these We propose
', ship the bullies the loafcrs, and loungers, an
+ shall call her the Musquito these insects nj
C well known as the pests Of our southern clime.-
e In the other intend all those intended victim
81 who arc generally challenged because it is tho
they sciH not fght, but mostly proving the be.
men, we shall call their schooner the Fire-awa,
y The principals are to be kept down below, an
TX the seconds are to man the gun-deck, for bein
'r the parties generally most to blame, they ougl
re to stand the breast of the shot. Gentlemen VII
T. are anxious to fight on horseback, will be above
~ to bring their cattle along with them, provide
Of their broad-swords are not longer than the gul
N deck. When a sufficient number shall be enru
1t led, we purpose ourselves to take command Of n
8, "Fire-away," and offer the other to any Loco F.
IL Editor who will leave off abusing the city an
the laws, and take quiet fight upon the lake in
genteel wholesale way. BY this plan, every gc
ht tleman will be enabled to pick out his particu
n friend and settle all disputes about borrowed m
Is ney, games of billiards, &C. by romsd Of gra
hs though perhaps he had better do the same THU
n over q social boeelc"
10