Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1867-09-05
A RafsleSnake at Liberty-He Kills
a Horse and a Buffalo.

following story:
Some weeks ago group of eight
American rattlesnakes, which had
been landed at Liverpool, were pur.
chased by Mr.. w. Manders, and
We're first exhibited by him at North
ampton. As the box in which the
snakes had been brought over was
unsafe, Mr.. Manders had stout case
manufactured for their reception, and
the reptiles were installed in their
new quarters. The new case had a
thick plate glass front and top, hot
water cisterns underneath, and a
small door fastened by spring latch
on one side. This case, in its turn,
fitted in massive oak box, in which
ii was placed when the snakes were
on exhibition, every possible precau-
ton being taken to prevent accident.
Mr.. Manders arrived with his
menagerie at Tqnbridge Wells on
Friday morning last, and as soon as
he had "set" the caravans he left for
London Early on Saturday morn
ing the keeper who attends the rep
tile department of the menagerie put
a large pan of water on the coke fire
which stands in the centre of the en-
closure, SO that he might be enabled
to fill the cisterns with hot water.
During the time the water was heat
ing the man proceeded with his work,
and at length he took the case con-
tanning the rattlesnakes out of the
box, and commenced cleaning the
exterior. While he was so engaged,
the spring latch of the door at the
side of the case became detached,
and the door dropped down. At that
moment the water in the pan boiled
over, and the keeper rushed to the
fire to remove the pan, leaving open.
the door Of the rattlesnake case.
On his return to resume his work
he saw that one of the largest of the
snakes had escaped from the case
and was peering about, Kissing in a
terrible manner, and shaking his rat
tie. The man closed the door of the
case, and then warned his compan-
ions, who were cleaning up the men
agerie previous to its opening for
morning exhibition. A panic seized
the men, and with the greatest diff
Guilty an elderly man, named Frank
Godfrey, prevailed on some of them
to remain in the enclosure and en-
deavor to recapture the fearful rep
tile. Aiming themselves with show
els, forks, scrapers, brooms, &c, the
keepers, under the direction of God
frey, proceeded toward the snake.
The reptile, during these prepara-
tons, remained perfectly quiet, but
on the approach of the Keepers
which was heralded by aslarge sack
being attempted to be thrown over
him-the reptile leisurely proceeded
up the centre of the enclosure, hiss
ing fearfully all the time.
1t did not appear to notice any of
the occupants Of the numerous cages
and dens until it came to the caravan
containing the bonassus, a species of
buffalo-an immense animal, weigh
ing upward of two tons. On arriving
opposite this caravan the rattlesnake
paused for a moment, and then made
a spring, fastened on the bonassus,.
and bit it in the left nostril. The
reptile then let go its grip, and
shaking its rattles, glided through
an opening between two of the cara
vans, where some grooms were filling
cart with straw. TO this cart was
attached one of the finest horses be-
longing to Mr.. Mander's extensive
stud. The rattlesnake fastened on
the off fetlock of the horse, which
Immediately reared and plunged to
such. an extent as to shake the rep.
tile off, and before it could move
away it was crushed to pieces be-
meath the hoefs of the horse.
In few minutes after the horse
had received the bite from the loath-
some reptile its whole frame quiv-
cred, its eyes nearly burst from their
sockets, and its means We're pite-
GUS. Two veterinary surgeons were
brought, but their services were of
no avail, for in a few minutes the
horse died in frightful agony. Mean
while the bonassus was in such an
infatuated condition that the doors of
his den had to be put up and Sc
curely bolted. In few seconds
heavy fall was heard in the caravan,
and on the doors being opened the
noble beast was expiring, and shortly
afterwards died. Mr.. Manders was
summoned by telegraph, and on his
arrival he ordered the door OF the
case containing the other rattlesnakes