Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-06-30
Terrific Fight with a Rattle Snake.

leIiiiiU Iisbt WIN d Uuttit Cnaht,
We have hitherto supposed the
Day long since passed for chronicling
a big snake fight in the vicinity OF
the Central City, but such it appears
is not the case, from q scene which re-
Gently transpired within a short drive
from the courthouse. Some Of the
older residents will remember bull
ding which formerly stood on Pres
pecs Hill, about six miles distant from
Peoria, and which was destroyed some
seven or eight years since. During
the past season another house Was
erected near the same locality, and
Ill that has IT NAMED as relics Of the
old hotel, was partially filled exca
walton Tor cellar, aud two well pre-
served brick 'cisterns, which had
been kept covered up. Last week,
the proprietor OF the place, while bu-
sy with bis wife in repairing their
summer flower garden, found himself
in the want OF a few bricks for the
edge Of the walks. Remembering
the tisterns. he uncovered one Of
them, and liuding it dry at the bot
tom, and only about six feet in depth,
he jumped in, and commenced throw
Jag oat some of the best bricks he
could pick from the walls. 1t seems
there was a piece Of plank with one
end partially embedded in ,he earth.
that somwhat inconmoded him, so,
Selling it. with some eXertion, be
pulled it out and threw it TO the top.
What was bis horror and surprise, al
the next moment. TO fad that be hat
un6aEthed an enormous rattle snake.
and himself without u weapon in bis
hand.
As the cistern was round, and only
about FIVE feet in diameter, he could
not jump out, and the snake, bristliug
with anger and rafting d fance, was
ready for battle. His screams brought
bis wife to the scene, bat she was So
overcome Niihirightthat she could not
Irendrl any assistance The snake.
in the mean time, had commenced the
fight, making repeated spliugs at
him. but fortunately he managed On
each occasion to bit hiGI upon bis
head with bis boot, without receiving
"A bite. the snake all the time becom-
ing more defiant aad curaged. Du-
ring the whole scene which lasted
several minutes, the man did not
lose his presence Of mind, but watch
ing bis chance. made several frantic
efforts TO jump boldly from this
seemingly fit Of destruction. At
the last trial. be fortunately grasped
"A brick, which gave way with him,
and remained in bis hand, rs be a.
gain stood fronting his Kissing enemy
Af,ei a few more kicks, and watch.
ing his opportunity, he fred it, ma.
king probably one of he best shots
Oh record, for it struck the snake OF
the head, and between the one sent
and the wall he became n "pTettV
well used W sarpint." Weak aud
exhausted, oui hero, by the assistance
Of lis wife, was enabled to U.iml
from the pit, but when oRee more
upon the earth, be tainted away, ant
it was soma time before he recovered
For several succeeding days be VA:
quite unwtll, oNing probably 70 tn,
Epoisolous efluvia inhal,d d, while lii
desperate exercise in the encounter
rendered him exceedingly lame.-
The snake was afterwards taken Erou
the cistern, when ii WIS found t.
measure seven feet in length, aus
contained thirteen ratlas !! The 1T
ter have been preseryed,an are plac
ed in ShoaG's Museum for exhibition
Peoria Transcript.
! CURE FOR HYDRopHoBlA.--As tn,
time for being chased aud snapped
at by mad dogs running loose in tbt