The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-10-20
Terrible Fate of a Snake Charmer.

Last week an old man banned John Roberts,
commonly known as the Mountain Hermit,
who has lived for many years in that portion
OF Mount Washington which borders on the
three States of Connecticut, Massachusetts,
and New York, met with frightful death
from rhe bite OF a rattle.snake Roberts. for
years past, has been in the habit of catching
these reptiles and exhibiting them in the
neighborng towns. Occasionally he would
allow himself to be bitten, claiming to possess
remedy which rendered the bites perfectly
harmless, and indeed if reports Of eye wit
nesses are to be credited, the old man has
proved himself invuinerable to snake bites
Last summer he was bitten on three dfferen,
occasions while handling his snakes, but after
IA few hours retirement he again appeared APP
parcnty az well as he did before Last week
however, the viper which he has SO often
cherished in his bosom was destined to infet
its fatal sting. On Thursday Roberts appear
ed at the hotel in Boston Corners with an I'M
usually large and ferocious rattlesnake, which
he had Captured the day previous on the
mountain. Quite number of people soon
gathered in the bar room to witness the exhi
hit'on as his reputation as snake charmer
was we'll known AT the first attempt to re
move the >nake frcm the box Roberts received
bite which caused the blood to flow freely
Nothing daunted he introduced his hand a
second time, when the snake sprang at it and
buried its tanss deep in the flesh Roberts
withdrew his hand with the snake fastened to
1t, and although he made desperate efforts to
free himself, the snake retained his hold. At
length he graspcd cane from one Of the
bystanders. who had been unable to assist,
and inserting the point down between the
jaws OF the reptile. priced open its mouth and
threw it from him with such force as to kill
1t Instantly The wounded man was imme-
diately taken to the office Of DR. Stilman, in
Micrton. who made every effort to save his
life. But the virus had become too generally
dltfused throughout the system to be removed
His countenance soon changed to livid nue..
the body and limbs became enorm )usly dis
tented, aud after lingering through the night
in agony death ended his suffering. Mr. Rob
erts was plan over 60 years of age and pos
sessed a considerable property. Since the
death Of his wife. which occurred many years
ago, he has lived hermit life on tho noun
tain Neighbors seldom visited him BY rea
son of the vast number of rattlesnakes with
which he was always surrounded, and which
he allowed to run at large throughout the
house Exchange.
HARD ON THE PRUssIAN FLAG.-The
Lacrosse Democrat tells this story On Sat
urday last, gentleman who for several Yeas
past has been engaged in the Vermillion gold
region returned to this city, aud at the Amer
lean House discovered Prussian flag. "What
is that, " says he. turning toa friend. That
is the Prussian flag" vas the answer. ''Bless
the Lord y says the pioneer. This remark
created an intense interest in the stranger
who was questioned as to his enthusiasm over
the colors of a European Kingdom Oh"
said he, cit is not because l care anything
for Prussia, but / have been beyond eivilza
ton some time. and when | saw that flag
fred, white and black, d-u me if | didn't
think the Radicals had destroyed the star.
and stripes and got up new flag, with the
red for the Indian, the black for tho niger,
and white for the rest of u.s."