The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-02-01
So PER ANNUM.
An Indian Snakery.

nee India woman by the name of Nettella-
quah, familiarly called in the immediate
Aunt Netty She occupies
a small log cabin in a rocky cleft or gulch
remote from the Aubrey and Kansas City
road, and about one mile from the road.
This old woman cannot be less than ninety
years of age, although she will not under
any consideration state her exact age.
She is u perfect recluse, as though she was
dead and buried Few visit her lonely |
cabin, and those who intrude once upon
her privacy seldom care to visit there again !
An attachc of this paper, in company
with Mr.. Enoch ii. Downs, of Cass coun-
ty, paid visit to the old Indians cabin
few days ago for the purpose of examining
a rare collection of reptiles said to be kept
by the old squaw. After some little diff
Guilty the cabin was discovered in the bend
of the creek, completely concealed from
view by precipitous rocky banks, except
from the south side Of the ravine. A
huge vicious wolfdog showing his ugly
fangs, for time disputed entrance to
the cabin. The door opened, and hid
cous old squaw made her appearance at the
aperture, and in cultural voice said some
thing to the dog which at once retreated
behind the stone chimney at the end Of the
cabin. Without bidding the party enter,
the old squaw retrcated herself within the
cabin, leaving the door open.
Following the old woman into the cabin
our reporter and his guide were for mo-
ment blinded by the smoke and darkness
Standing near the door for a few moments
they were enabled to see the old squaw
seated upon block of wood near a
smouldering fire, smoking smallred pipe,
and apparently unconscious ofthe presence
of strangers, Mr. Downs, well acquainted
with the old hags taste for whiskey and
tobacco, laid quantity of each in her lap.
The sight of these unexpected luxuries had
n magical effect upon the squaw, Her
small dull, black eyes, glittered with JOY
and her leathery face frightened with sat
isfaction. She arose ON being made ac
quainted with the object of the visit, drag
ged out a large box and a barrel from neal
the fire, which at first appeared to be filled
with leaves, but on close examination, wer,
found to contain the old hng's family pets
Muttering some whining, sing-sonl
words, evidently of endearment, she pu
her hand down into the barrel and brough
forth first huge "blue racer which hal
torpid coilcd itself slowly into knot upol
the stove hearth. Then she took out sew
eral black snakes of various sizes one o
, which was not less than four feet in length
Then she lifted out n perfect knot of mix
ed snakes, spotted, striped and yellow
which were knotted and entwined in col
as large as half bushel measure. All Q
these loathsome reptiles she had collecte
herself in the country round about hel
Some of them she said she had had fc
years. Each of the snakes she called b
: names, and after laying the wEithipg ma.
: upon the warm hearth, left them to squirI
and uncoil in the warmth generated by tn
FIRE.
: Turning TO the box she opened the Ii
and pointed to large yellow and blac
u boa constructor which lay coiled up, iillin
one.half of the box. She caught it gent
u by the back of the neck and tail and LITE
u it also out upon the hearth, and then toe
. therefrom huge brown snake, of a variet
l. unknown to our reporter. Each of the,
: monsters was at least four or Ave feet
i length, and appeared to be far more acti,
e than the smaller snakes. She then dra
ged forth an old wolf-skin robe from h.
bed in a corner near the fire, and unrollC
perfect medley ofnttlesankes Of all hue
j, all sizes, thicknesses and ages.
il These she handled roughly, rolling Il
u squirming mass out upon the hearth, whe
IN visitors, at a safe distance, might view Il
al loathsome sight at leisure. Upon the wa
or hung a variety of snake skins, dried snake
e, heads, lizards, and pieces of dried me,
rt This sight was the most repugnant ev
Sc witnessed by our reporter The old h
te sat down upon the hearth laughing al
n chattering her gibberish, and proceeded
re wind the two largest snakes about b
IT. wrinkled neck, and then to uncoil t
ho half-torpid masses of snakes. In sh,
es time she had her lap full of squirming IT
k tiles, and appeared to handle and play W
is them like so many harmless kittens.
Is The visitors, unable to Withstand I
'e- loathsome sight, and the eflluvia general
oy in the close, dark den, soon took their lea
ry leaving the old squaw to the company
ch her singular pets She devotes much
1t, her time to playing with them, allow
us them to crawl over her bed and over the flo
he She feeds them upon birds and inse,
ee The former she catches alive and feeds
S. the larger snakes at intervals of one or t
all weeks. She works small patch of ga
re en-, and depends mostly for other nece
to- ties upon the surrounding country,
nd which she begs,
ere She refused to follow her tribe sol
tn when they departed few years ago, i
so they loathed her so much for her hide
nk, habits that they did not regret leaving
tie, In the warm months she permits her !
ing to roam at will over the cabin, and in
us, instance has she been bitten by any