New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-09
an Aboriginal Nedusa.
angular Collection Of Live Reptiles.


singular Collection Of Live Reptiles.
Near the hcadwaters Of Cache branch OF
Indian Creek there resides an old Shawnee
Indian woman b. tho name of Net-talla-qulh,
Familiarity called, in the immediate neighbor-
hood, Aunt Netty. she occupies small log
cabin in q rocky cleft or gulch remote FROM
the Aubrey & Kansas City Road, and about
one mile from the road. This woman cannot
be less than 80 years Of age, although she
will not under any consideration state her
exact age. She is perfect recluse, as much
as though she were dead and buried. Few
visit her lonely cabin, and those who intrude
once upon her privacy seldom care to venture
there again. An attache Of this paper, IN
company with MIR. Enoch II. Downs, OF Cass
county, paid visit to the old Indians cabin
few days ago for the purpose Of examining
rare collection of reptiles said to be kept BY
the Old squaw. After some little difficulty
the cabin was discovered in a bend of the
creek, completely concealed from the south
side of the ravine. A huge, vicious mastif
wolf dog showed his ugly ftngs, and for
time disputed entrance to the cabin. The
door opened and Lideous old squaw made
her appearance at the Aperture, and in a
cultural voice said something to tho dog,
which at once retroated behind tho stone
chimney at the end Of the cabin. Without
bidding tho party enter the old squaw re-
treated herself within the cabin, leaving the
door open. Following the old woman into
the cabin, our reporter and his guide were
for q moment blinded by the smoke and dark
ness. Standin. near the door for few mo-
ments, they were enabled to SEQ the old
squaw seated upon block Of wood near
smouldering fire, smoking snail red pipe,
and apparently unconscious Of the presence
Ct strangers. Mr.. Downs, we'll acquainted
with the old hays taste for whisky and to-
lhaccn, laid lfIan nifty Of oasIl in her ia,,
The sight Of these unexpected luxuries had
a magical effect upon the squaw. Her small,
au!l blaCk eyes glittered with joy, and her
leathery face frightened with satisfaction.
She arose on being made acquainted with the
object Of the visit, dragged out large box
and 4 barrel from near the fire, which at lirst
appeared to be filed with leaves, but on
closer examination were found to contain the
old hag's family pets. Muttering some whin-
ing, sing-song words, evidently of endear-
ment, she put her hand down into the barrel
and brought forth first huge "blue racer"
which, hall torpid, coiled itself slowly into a
knot upon the Seventeenth. Then she took
cut several black snakes Of various sizts, one
Of which was not less than four feet in length.
Then she lifted cut perfect knot Of mixed
snakes, spotted, striped, and yellow, which
were knotted and cntwined in a coil as large
as half bushel measure. All Of these loath-
some reptiles she said she had collected her
salt in the country around about her Some
OF them she SAID she had for years. Each Q?
the snakes she called by name, and after
laying the writing mass upon the warm
hearth, left them to squirm and uncoil in the
warmth generated By the fire. Turning to
the box, she opened the iii and pointed to q
large yellow and black boa constructor which
lay coiled up, filing Cne-half Of the box. Slo
caught 1t gently by the back Of the neck and
the tai, and lltedlt also out upon the hearth,
and then took therelCrIn huge brown snake
OF variety unknown to Cur 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.
She then dragged forth an old wolf skin robe
from her bed in q corner near the fire. and
unrolled perfect medley Of rattlesnakes of
ali hues, all sizes, thickncsses, and AGES.
These she handled roughly, rolling the
squirrning mass out upon the hearth, where
the visitors at safe distance might yeiw the
loathsonle sight at leisure. Upon the walls
hung variety Of snake skins, rattles, dried
snakes heads, lizards, and pieces Of dried
meat.
This sight was the most repugnant ever
T!thessed by our reporter. The old bag .at
49, AS1t Ill laughing ana Chatter
ing her horrid gibberlsh, and proceeded IN
WIND the two largest snakes about her
".!nEieo ola neck, aud then to uncOil tha hall
SOfFia masses OF snakes. In a short time Sic
nad hef lap iull Of the squirning reptiles. aud
appeared to handle and play with tbhm ill.,
SO many harmless kittens The visitors rn-
! able to withstand the loathsou,e sirLrni,,',
| sight, and the efnuyia generated in tho $50
dark den, soon took their Leave. !eaying ~
ola Sgu2w to the company Of her .inania,
pots She cevotes much Of her time 10 SIa -
ing with them, allowing them to crawl nvs,
her bed and over the floor. She feed, tho"
upon birds and insects. The forrnnr 49,
catches alive and feed. to tho larger .naIo-
at intervals Of ons or two weeks. She v,orl,s
small patch Of garden, and depends ,oosti,
ior othsf recessaries upon the surroundn5
country, II which she bags. She refused n
follow her Tribe South when thsy departed !
fsw years ago, and they Ioathed he. 40 null
.or her h!de0Es habits that thsy did not ne
greet leaving her. II tia warm months sb,
permits her pets 10 roam 1t will Owe. III,
cabin, and IN no instance LIS she been bitter
by any &! them, although they will hiss an.
, dar! with their po!sonou. fang. sp!teguIly a
times, yet she appears 10 control them by ,
few whining words and glance Of her dali
black eyes. II Is needless to say old Aur
; Nstty has few visitors, and those who hay,
visited her are not anxious to repeat III
y.s.t.-Gaasas Guy 1ire;.