Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-06-02
Terrific Fight With n Rattle
Snake.

We have hitherto supposed the day long
since passed for chroniclng 4 biz snake fight
in the vicinity of the Central CITY, but such
it appears is not the case, from scene which
recently transpircd within a short drive from
tie Court House Some of the older resi-
dents will remember a building which for
merly stood on Prospect Hill, about six miles
distant from Peoria, and which wac destroyed
some seven or eight years since. During the
past season another house was erected near
the same location, and all that has remained
as relics of the old hotel, was partially filed
excavation for cellar, and two well pre-
served brick cisterns, which had been kept
covered up. Last week, the proprietor ot
the place while busy with his wife in pre-
pairing their summer flower garden, found
himself in the want Of few bricks for the
edge Of the walks. Remembering the c's-
terus. he uncovered one Of them, and finding
it dry at the bottom, and only about SIX
feet in depth he jumped in, and commenced
throwing out some of the best bilcks lie
could pick from the walls. 1t seems, there
was a piece of plank with one end partially
inbcdded in tile earth that somewhat nt ON
NODDED him, so sciZing it, with some eXertiohS
he pulled it out and threw it to the top
What WAS his horror and SURPRISE at the
next moment to find that he had IN 'artlcd
AN enormous rattle-Snakc, and himself Wlth-
oat weapon in his handl As the clstern
was round, and only about five feet III diam
cter, he could not jump out, and the snake
brstling with anger and rafting defiance,
was ready for battle. His screams brought
lis wife to the scerc but she was so over
come with fright, that she became powereSs
to render any assistance. The snake, in the
meantime, had commenced the fight, making
repeated springs at him. but fortunately he
managed on each occasion to hit HIM upon
! the head with his boot, without receiving Il
! bite. the snake all the time becoming more
defiant and cnragcd, During the whole
sceuc which lasted several minutes, tho man
! did not lose his presence of mind. but watch
, ed his chance, made several frantic efforts tc
jump bodily from this seemingly pit OF de-
structiun At the last trial. he fortunately
gras ped u brick, which gave way with him
and remained in his hand, as he again stooo
fronting his Kissing enemy. After few
more kicks. and watching his opportunity
he fired it. making probably one of the bes
shots OH record, for it struck the snake on the
head, and between the one sent and the wall
he became pretty well used up sarplnt
| Weak and exhausted, our hero by the ASST 81
| ancc of lis wife, was enabled to climb from
the pit. but when once upon the earth, he
! tainted away. and it was some time before
| he cou1 be recovered. For several succeed
iTg DAYS he was quite unwcll, owing prooa-
bly, to the poisonous ctlluyia inhaled; while
his desperate exercises in the encounter, rer-
dcrcd him exceedingly lame The snake
was afterwards taken from the cistcrn, when
il was found to measure seven feet in length,
and contained thirteen rattles The latter
have been preserved. and are placed III
SAuAtl's Musculn for exhibition. Peoria Iran-
! SCRIPT of tie 1911.