The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-09-28
INTERESTING CHAPTER ON SNAKES


/ correspondent writing to the Richmond Ex-
aminer, from Healing Springs, Va, furnishes the
/ following interesting sketch of a 'snakc charmers"
exploits in that section:
i Among the wonders have seen in this land of
mineral wealth and water Suourning in search of
health happiness and other c"'toSiteS, witnessed
Yesterday and to-day one that almost passes COM
prehension and belief A man arrived here a few
DAYS ago on a tour through the mountains taking
with him about dozen snakes, consisting OF tho
| California Rattesnake, the Virginia Rattesnake,
and the Virginia Copper head-all mixed together
in one box, as amiable as II they were OF the same
species of family. The gentleman 5 name is e. r
Wirsen and if am rightly informed, Swede by
birth, and by profession is now "SnGke chdT"er.
To prove that there no humbug or impos-
ture in this affair, he took from box, after some
explanatory remarks, whole dozen of snakes kept
together in one compartment, under glass cover,
with movable wooden shutter above. These
snakes, as have said of three vareties-the
Rattlesnakes of Virginia and California, and our
most venemous Copperhead. He took them out
one by one with his naked hands, and put them in
pile on the floor, whence they attempted to scat
ter in various directions, but was restrained by his
hand being waived at their heads He then took
them up and doubled them in all sorts of ways
putting them around his head, face and neck, and
finally cramming the whole creeping crawling mass
into his bosom ncrt has skin. In all this they
showed not the slightest offence, not even rattng,
but on the contrary, seemed well pleased with the
liberties he took with their snakely persons and
testified their satisfaction by poking their heads
about his nose, eyes and mouth in the most attec-
tionate manner. After this astonishing demon
stration he piled them again upon the tOor, and
stirred them about, and tangled them up like so
many handkerchiefs, and not hiss, or rattle, or
blow showed any dispeasure at his conduct
Then, to show that no Juggling or imposition
was put upon u.s. he took several OF the largest oi
S each kind : and opening their mouths protruding
their fangs and sack of venom carried them around
the room and exhibited these dangerous qualities
as closely as his audience would permit; but plen-
ty close for all to that they were not the harm
P less creatures they seemed to be at distance lie
also offered to them to strike and kill any
/ small animal the spectators might present; but this
was rendered unnecessary by several gentlemen
declaring they had done at the Sweet Springs
and other places. Moreover, he then took box
IS containing perfectly wild Rattlesnake, OF the Nlr-
ginia species, caught in these mountains, and sold
S to him by q negro at this place not twelve hours
before and emptied the savage creature, rafting
u and coiling the oor and striking at everything
presented to it in the most furious style. Having
ordered some music to be played-which he says is
Is the first and not least important step to be taken, IN
d subdung its savage temper-to kill time as he SAID
y he kept up his daiance by walking around it, and
he presented his foot which it struck on the shoe
a. with right good will, keeping up its rattling
meanwhile, till flesh fairly creeped on our
ID bones At last growing impatient waiting for the
music, he seized chance and caught the sna ke by
or the tall about quarter its length from the ex-
d. tremity and began to whistle in a low tone, the
r. snake doing its best to bite all the time which he
prevented by great dexterity, until he caught ats
eve and fixed upon it the most intense gaze ever
saw: this he continued for about half minute,
when his whole countenance broke into smile
he for he saw by mysterious sign (Which he says
ed has never facd) that he had conquered, and the
hn nv
it, atey folding in his bosom and round his neck
ms which it embraced most lovingly! BY this all
lst skepticism was removed from his audience, and
its they greeted his success with round of applause
az Having set out relate this affair in the sim
en-, plicity Of truth ! will now close by telling tho
six whole truth Mr. Wirsen has at last been bitten
if The accident occurred in this wise: He, yesterday
nix after his exhibition, engaged to charm an enor
it, nous Virginia MISUNDERSTANDING to young
nd man in the hotei--periectly wild and vicious
a This morning he attempted to fulfil his engage
his ment and as before, disappointed in obtaining
wn musical help at the time appointed. lie bega
ced his manipuations, all who 1t say, with to-
he little care and patience and in unguarded me
of ment was struck by the snake in the joint Of til
Vho index finger of the left hand This single excer
sor ton does not disprove the rule weaken his posi-
c- ton but OH the contrary to my mind, rather tend
to establish it, for it proves beyond all doubt M
Der sincerity and honesty Of opinion, and his cnir
the selfconfdence against all odds And his torme
tho success leaves no doubt upon the minds of any
and his intelligent spectators Of his strange and III
pit, accountable power over the serpent tribe.
rue He would not submit to the usual plan, but pc
ssor sisted in taking powdered bean called "cedon
lted / think famous California remedy.
ung submit these facts, which are facts, as hu'
IS of dreds now can tcstify-simply as facts-leavin
only you and your readers to elaborate sucn theories
NAV best accord with prc-exsting notions or esta
Tshed axioms; but can't refrain from adding, the
are certain old sayings that can no longer hold ru
~ viz. ~That snake will not strike unless III coil
sad and that ga Rattlesnake always gives warning
- rattlino before he strikes" This is III no WI
~ true. The coil is not a necessary condition,
does the rattle show any such magnanimity
lions
ID Of THE ILLINOIS SENATORsHIP.-From prese
ined appearance, we think there will be no election
e all United States Senator by the Legislature to
Nor chosen in Illinois this fall. The two houses q
de- senarately in boting, and the Senate can hard
forts fail to attain majority of the friends of Doug
They thirteen members hold over, most of them an
,oun- Lecompton and the opposition must elect eight
%. in the twelve to be chosen this Fall to secure
wing iority If no election takes place there can be