, 1872-12-26

u8IG, duu 1.1f klE6u uGIfE3 IEjuiEG III Eau LII
vinia, eating bread and cheeae az if that Tas her
mission in lfe.
AN ABORIGINAL MEDUSA.
Singular Collection Of Live Tzeptiles---
E3oas, Anacondus, Vipers, EeattEes
snakes, Racczs, Joint Snnkek-.-vislt
to an Rndlan Snakery. -... ..
Frort the Kansas City Tin,e3.
Near the head waters Of Cache branch Of IN
dian Creek there resides IN old Shawnee Indian
woman by the name Of Net -talla-quah, faualiarly
called, in the immediate neighborhood, Aunt
Netty. She occupies 8 small log cabin in rocky
cleft or gulch remote from the Aubrey l. Kansas
City Road, and about one milo from the road.
This old woman cannot be less than 80 years Of
age although che will not under, any considera-
tlon state her exact age. She is perfect re-
cluse, us much SO as though she we're dead and
buried. Few visit her lonely cabin, and those
who intrudo once upon her privacy seldom
care to ventura there again. An attache OF this
paper, in company With MIR. Enoch H. Downs,
of Cass County, paid d visit to the old Indians
cabin few days ago for the purpose Of examin-
by the old aquaw. After some little difficulty
the cabin was discovered in q bend Of the creek,
completely concealed from view by PERCEPTIONS
rock banks, except from the !. south side Of the
his ugly fangs and for timo disputed entrance
to the cabin. The door opened and hideous
old squaw made her appearance ut the aperture,
and In . cultural voice said something to the
dog, which at once retreated behind the stone
chimney at tie end Of the cabin. Without bid
ding the party enter the old squaw retreated
hoIsef within the cabin, leaving the door open.
Following the old woman into the cabin, our
by the smoke and darkness. Standing near the
door for few moments. they We're enabled to
see the old equaw seated upon block Of wood
near mouldering fire, smoking q small red
pipe, and apparently unconscious Of the pres
with the old hag's taste for whiskey and tobacco,
laid quantity Of each in her lap. The sight of
these unexpected Injuries had q magical effect
upon the sduaw. Her small dull black eyes gilt
tored with joy, and her leathery face frightened
with satisfaction. She arose, on being 1nado ac-
quainted With the objec Of the visit, dragged
out largo box and barrel from near the fire,
which at frat appeared to be filed with leaves,
but on closer examination were found to con-
whining, ng-song words, evidently Of endear-
ment, she put hor hand down into tile barrel and
brought forth first 3 huge "blue racer which,
half torpid, coiled itself slowly into q knot upon
the atove-hearth. Then she took out several
black snakes Of various sizes, one of which was
not less than four feet in length. Then she
lifted out perfect knot Of mixed snakes,
spotted, striped, and yellow, which were
as d half bushel measure. All Of
these 1osthsome .reptiles she said she had col
lected herself in the country around about her.
Some Of them she said she had had for years.
Each OF the snakes she called by names, and,
alter laying the writhiug mass upon the warm
HEARTH left them to squirm and uncol in the
warmth generated by tho hro. Turning to the
boz, abe opened the lid and pointed to q large
yellow and black boa constructor which lay
caught It gently by the back Of tho
neck and the tail, and lifted it also out
upon the hearth, and then took therefron
huge brown snake, OF . variety unknown to
our reporter. Each Of these monsters was at
least four or five feet in length and appeared to
be far more active and lively than the smaller
snakes. Sho then dragged forth an old wolf
skin robc from her bed in corner near the fire,
and unro,sed a perfect medley Of rattlesnakes Of
all hues al sizes, thicEnesaee and ages. These
ehe handled rc-cs.ly, rolling the squirming mass
out upon t. hearth, where the visitors, at 3
safe distance, might view the loathsome sight at
leisure. Upon the walls hung variety Of snake
skins, rattles, dried snakes heads, llza1dB, and
pieces Of dried meat.
This sight was the most rcpugnant ever wit
messed by our reporter. Tho old hag sat down
upon the hearth, laughing and chattering her
largest snakes about her wrinkled old neck, and
then to uncoil tho half torpid masses of snakes.
In q short time she had her lap full OF the
squirming reptiles, and appeared to handle and
play with them like SO mary harmless kittens.
The viaitors unable to Withstand tho loatEsome,
sickening sight, and the efiuyia generated in tho
close, dark den, soon took their leave, leaving
tho old squaw to the company OF her singular
pets. She devotes much of her time to playing
with them, allowing them to crawl over her bed
and over the floor. She feeds them upon birds
and insects. The former she catches alive and
feeds to the larger snakes at intervals Of one er
two weeks. She works small patch Of garden,
and depends mostly for other necessarles upon
the surrounding country, in which she begs.
She refused to follow her tribe south when they
departed few years ago, and they loathed her
30 much for her hideoua habits that they did not
regret leaving her. In the warm months sha
permits her pets to roam at will over the cabin,
and in no instance has she been bitten by any Of
them, although they will hiss and dart with their
poisonous fangs apitcfully at times, yot she ap-
pears to control them by few whining words
less to say old Aunt Notify has few visitors, and
those who have visited her are not anxious to
repeat the visit.
So ar-xxfr