The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-01-30

E - - go.
angular Oollsetion e 1spEiles--
Boas, Anaoondas, Vipsrs, Rattle
snakes, Racers, Joint 1nakes-
Visit 70 the Indian Snaksry.
Near the heed branch Of CssAs
branch Of Indian creek there restds
IN old Shawnee Indis1 woman By the
name of No-valla-qush, hmiiiasly
called, in the immediate neighborhood.
Aunt Netty. She ocsuDiss small log
cabin 10 rocky cleft or gulch remote
from the Aubrey Kansas City roaA,
and about . mile from the road. The
old woman cannot b Isss than ninety
ysan Of age. although she will nos
under any consideration state her az
act age. She 10 . perfect recluss, -
much 90 - though shs were dead and
buried. Few visit her lonely cabin,
and those who intruds once upon her
privacy seldom care 70 enter there
again. An attachs Of this papsr, In
company with Mr.. Enoch II. Downs.
Of Cas- county, paid visit 70 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
vas discovered in bend Of the creek,
completely concealed from view BY
prscipitous rock banks. except from
the south side Of the ravins. A huge,
vicious masti6 wolf dag showed hia
ugly fangs, and for time disputed en-
trance 70 the cabin. The door opened
and hideous old squaw made her ap-
pearancs ct the aperture, and In z
cultural voics said something TO the
dog, which rstrsatsd behind the stone
chimney ct the end Of the cabin. With.
out bidding the party enter the old
squaw retreatsd hsrself within the
cabin, leaving the door opsn. Follow
ing the old woman into the cabin, our
reporter and his guide were for . mo
mont blinded BY the smoke and dark
ness. Standing near the door for :
few moments. they were enabled TO 80
the old squaw seated upon .
block Of wood near Z smouldsring fire,
smoking small. red pipe, and appar-
entity unconscious Of the presence OF
strangers. Mr.. Downs. we'll acquaint-
I'd with the old hays taste for whiskey
and tobacco, laid . quantity Of each in
her lap.
The sight Of thess unexpected luxu-
ries had . magical effect upon the
squaw. Her small, dull black eyes
glittered with joy, and her lsathery
face frightened with satisfaction. She
arose, on being inside acquainted with
the object Of the visit. dragged out .
large box and . barrel from near the
fire, which At first appeared to be filled
with leaves, but on closer examination
were found to contain the old hays
family pets. Muttering some whin-
ing, sing-song words, evidently Of
endearment, she put her hand down
into the barrel and brought forth first
. huge "blus racer" which, half tor
pid, coilsd itself slowly into knot
upon the stove 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 knotted and sn:winsd 10 coil
y large . . half bushsl measure. All
of these loathsome reptiles. she said.
The had collected herself In the coun-
~ around shout her. Some Of them
he said she has had for years.
sach of the snakes she called by
names, and, aftsr laying the whining
mass upon the warm hearth, lsft them
o squirm and uncoii in the warmth
generated BY the fire. Turning to the
,ox she opened the lid and pointed to
large yellow and black boa constric-
or which lay coiled up. filiing one
lalf Of the box. She caught 1t gently
y the back Of the neck and tail. and
ifted it q leo out upon the hearth. and
hen took therefrom . huge brown
make OF . variety unknown to our re-
'orter. Each Of these monsters was
1 least four or i've feet in length, and
ppeared to be far more active and
lively than the smaller snakes. She
hen dragged forth an old wolf-skin
ODE from her bed ia corner near the
Ire, and unrolled perfect medley Of
attlesnakes Of oil hues. all sizes.
AMI ages. These she
'andled roughly. rolling the squirm-
ng mass out upon the hearth, where
be visitors ut safe distance. might
lew the loathsome sight ct leisure
'pon the walls hung variety Of snake
kins, rattles, dried enake heads, liz
rds, and pieces of dried meat
The sight was the most repugnant
yer witnessed by our reporter. The
Id hag sat down upon the hearth,
and chattering her horrid
ibberish, and proceeded TO wind the
SO largest snakes about her wrinkled
Id neck. and then to uncoil the half
'rpid masses OF snakes. In . short
me she had her lap full Of the
turning reptiles. aud appeared to
Aodle and play with them like % |
ANY harmless kittens. The visitors,
nable to stand the ioathsome, sicken- |
g sight, and the eflluvia generated
the close, dark dsu, soon took their
ave, leaving the old squaw 10 the
'mPany Of her singular pets. She
votes much Of her time to playing
it'll them, allowing them 10 crawl
'er her bed and over the floor. Shs
eds them upon birds aud insects.
be former she catches alive and feeds
the larger snakes ut intervals OF one