The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-09-12
From tie Boston Ereaing Journal

The RdhteSndke.-This snake is pecu
liar, We believe, TO North American
was formerly found ia great abundance i
New England-but since the country ha
become settled and an exterminating wa
declared against these noxous reptile:
their numbers have rapidly decreased, :
and now they are seldom seen. They ar
sill TO be found, however, occasionally, "
believe, ~ certain parts Of every New En-
gland state-but generally confne them
selves to rocky lodges ia uncuIlivaled tract
OF The country. In Chester, n. H., Their
IS hull, which from the great number q
these reptiles, which formerly made il thei
abiding place, is called Rallesnake Hill
few still remain and they are sometime.
killed IN the adjoining towns, where they
wander 10 search OF water.
A number Of years have passed away
since an occurrence took place 10 the neigh.
borhood Of Chester, which certainly vas
the occasion Of considerable excitement 10
the nelghborng families at The time, and
winch IS still worthy relating. Some men
were employed IN moving meadow, which
was at distance from any dwelling or road
and as the weather was sultry, and many
parts OF the meadow covered with water.
one OF them, Dir. r., thought proper 10 dl.
vest himself Of nearly all bis garments, and
led tue van Of The mowers, sans culohe Ii
IS well known that at this season, when
drought generally prevails, rattlesnakes are
very apt 70 come down from the high lands 10
quest Of "ater-aud as Mr.. K. got atthe end
Of bis swath, and stepped on The dry land,
he placed his foot almost in contact with
huge falllesnake, which raised its tail, gave
4 ie" quick and sharp shakes, and sprung
al tue poo: man Just as he turned 10 fee.
halt frightened to death, from the yenomous
reptile HIS crooked poisonous fangs en-.
tered the lower part Of the only garment
which Mr.. X, wore at the time-the tex
iurc OF which was particularly strong, and
iney could DOT be easily disengaged. Mr..
L. gave scream aud started Of on the full
run, the snake sticking to him closer than a
brother He passed through woods, bush.
IS, fields and pastures-he crossed fences,
bitches, brooks and bogs-he jumped, hal.
'ocd, gailoped, aud screamed Cor ald-yainly
trying TO nd himself Of hts ugiy. booking as.
socia'e. At length, crazy with. fear aud "a.
iguc, he reached the public road, and pass
"a along Il, on the way to his dwelling
house, CT rate which would rave as, 5nlsh
nd the most desperate notwithstanding
/. atac h'm Ut intervals, aud screaming.
whenever he bobeld the horrld appeudaae
20 has homespun linen garment. He pass
ad several persons ia the road, who we're
hJnderslruck at the sight Of the uniortun
ale man cutting up such antics, using such
,Io.cut eNerlclse-aad exhibiting himself
n d.shabl,lc, without regard to proprlety
1r drcency, Mr.. K, al length reached hts
Jwu dwelling, distance Of three miles
rom the meadow-the door of which stood
uNtugly open, through which he rushed
o the CONSERVATION Of the women folks
la'Iug still attached to hun the grim look
NJ reptile. By this time he was complete.
y overcome with terror, heat, and fatigue,
md fell tanning on the floor. The poor
atuesuake, however, had got the worst Of
land had been threshed about at such an
rate, that his life, as well as a
lrge portion Of has tail, had departed, long
'ctorc he reached the goal