Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-16
A SNAKE STORY.
A Mark Of Esteem to q City Magis.
trate.

A NIark Of Esteem to a City Magis
trate.
On Tuesday of this week a rattlesnakt
was captured in the vicinity of Hickman BY
Turner Hunt, Esq, after desperate en-
counter, during which bis snakeship los
twelve rattIes. Messrs. Thomas A. Thomp
son and Allen Powell, of Columbia, think
ing to agreeably surprise their Nashville
friend, Pat. Walsh, Esq, procured the rep
tile, put it in a glass covered box and sent il
with the following letter:
COLUMBIA, TENN, Aug. IA, 1S72.-Deal
Friend Walsh: We send you by express a
"a tlesnake, said to have been captured in
the wilds of Hickman by Turner Hunt,
Esq, after very desperate encounter, in
which he came very near striking the
Squire several times, but finally was over
come, having lost twelve of his rattles in
the fight, which accounts for his having
only twelve now. 1t is said that you could
have heard him sing for hundred yards OF
more before he lost his rattles. We regret
very much that we could not send his snake
ship in full, but hope there is enough left
to satisfy the curious. We have been feed
ing him upon birds and frogs since his ca D.
IklISs l1o u . NC1 NlSAOuo 5u0hCs dHu IuS
community are anxious that we should
send him away, as The glass is entirely 500
thin" that covers his box. He is growing
very fat, or at least his appetite is much
better and be can now swallow a much
larger bird or frog than he did at first. We
expect that by NovembCt he can take in
goose, and have therefore named him very
appropriately Horace Greeley, who is ex-
pected by that time to swallow Andy John
sons goose, feathers and all. We send
you one bird and a frog as free lunch
for him while en- route to your city, and
trust that you will keep him well supplied
with such like, for by this means alone can
he be kept in subsection, unless you procure
thicker glass. Respectfully,
THOMAS A. THOMPSON and
ALLEN POWELL.
The snake arrived in due time, and a
timid expressman yesterday morning drove
up to the 'Squire's door, rushed in and told
him he had something FOR him. AS his
manner betokened great mental agitation,
the good natured magistrate rushed out to
the wagon without delay, raised the cover
ing Of the box containing the snake, looked
in, and-well, he did NOT exactly fain. on
the SPOT, but he retired into his establish
ment al rate that excited comment. He
was met at the door by the expressman,
who had not been quite as anxious to arrive
at the wagon, and in hurried and nervous
manner he told him to stake that thing
away" The expressman inquired where
in the name of heaven he should take it to.
''Take it to Martin Cotton; he likes ouch
things, but don't" said the Squire. The
astonished driver, now about
bewildered at being compelled to carry the
snake further, anxiously asked what he
should do with it if Cotton didn't want it.
But his question remained unanswered, for
Walsh had fed. With a heavy heart the
expressman took the snake to Martin Cot
toms drug store. Mr.. Cotton is a reputed
admirer Of rattlesnakes, having but nine in
his store at one time. However, they had
all died, and as it was nuisance to keep
them he refused to harbor the one in ques-
ton. Driven to despair, the expressman
Immediately returned to Mr.. Walsh, and
told him Mr.. Cotton would not accept it.
To say that the Squire looked disappointed,
would convey but slight impression of the
agony depicted upon his countenance. A
crowd had now assembled around the wagon
containing the snake, and above the noise
of conversation concerning it Pat Walsh
was heard to say, Somebody take that
thing away" Finally sturdy young man
to do SO, and accordingly
marched of with the box containing the
snake, much to the relief of both persons
concerned. The reptile in question is over
five feet long, its body being about as large
around as a mans arm. On each side of
the head is a white gill, and its fangs were
enormous. There weFe twenty-iouf rattles
on its tail, originally, and it is pronounced
one of the largest rattlesnakes ever captured.
Esquire Pat Walsh says he admires the
donors, but he cannot appreciate the kind of
SITS they bestow upon him.