Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-11-05
A Boy Snake-Charmer.

On Nineteenth street, near the c., ID.
81 M. Railroad track, stands small
frame house, off to itself in rather des-
olate-looking locality. A family named
Vallandingham occupies this house, and
among them is boy named Maurice,
aged ten years. Yesterday morning our
reporter was informed that this boy had
collection of thirteen snakes, CON-
prising several different kinds, and one
full grown rattlesnake, which he han
died fearlessly without drawing the
fangs. The story seemed so improbable
that representative of the Telegraph
was sent up to interview this youthful
prodigy and his collection of snakes.
With some little difficulty the Telegraph
messenger found the house, situated as
above described, and inquired for the
snake-charmer. He was directed to a
crowd of boys playing on the railroad
track, and informed that he would find
Maurice there. Approaching the boys,
our reporter discovered one of the num-
Der seated alone short distance from
the balance of the crowd, and apparently
taking no interest whatever in their play.
He appeared moody and silent, rather
avoiding than seeking any notice what
ever Upon being asked ifhe was Maurice,
the snake charmer, he rather languidly
and indifferently said Eyes" The Telegraph
man then expressed desire to see him
handle his snakes, which was ably sec
onded by all the boys, who urged Maurice
to bring out his pets. He positively re-
fused to go to the house for the snakes,
but when some of the boys volunteered
to go for the Shiny, ugly pets he agreed
to display his skill in tanning and nan
ding them. Half dozen boys ran over
to the house and returned, each bringing
in his hands several snakes from one to
three feet in length, darling their forked
tongues out as if in a terrible rage.
Maurice handled the snakes as carelessly
and indifferently as if they were strings
winding several of them around his
neck, putting his fingers into the mouths
of the venomous serpcnts, etc. He
would actually take any one of them by
the neck. and holding the snakes head
close to his mouth thrust out and with
draw his tongue, which would be imme-
diately initiated by the snake. The per-
formances of this boy are truly wonder
full and thrilling, actually excelling all
the feats of snake-charming performed
by travelling showmen with long and
hard sounding names. With the sight is
experienced naturally degree of dis
gust at the familiarity of snakes, so alb
horrent to all, with human being.
Maurice claims that he learned the art
of snake-charming about year ago from
man named Walton, who resides in
the country near this city. The boys
first attempt was with rattlesnake
which he found in the woods near Wal
tons house. He placed his foot on the
neck of the serpent, so as to hold 1t down
and leave the head free. Naturally the
king of all snakes resented this insult
with a fierce sound from his rattles and
rapid movement of his tongue; but the
boy looked the snake steadily in the eye
for a moment, when the rafting and mo-
ton of the tongue ceased. lie then
stopped down, caught the snake just be-
low the head with his hands, and, raising
the head to level with his face, looked
steadily into his eyes for about one min
ute, when all indication of anger on the
part of the serpent ceased, and the boy
handled it as he pleased from that time
until day before yesterday, when 1t got
hurt and he killed it. This snake had
eight rattles and was over three feet In
length. Since that time the boy makes
a sport of catching snakes. Last Satur-
day, in company with several boys about
his own age, he went into tine swamp
above the fair grounds, where he caught
about one dozen snakes, which he now
has. Not only does he tame the serpents
SO that he can handle them himself, but
so completely does he overcome the
naturally venomous instincts and re-
move all warlike or resentful feelings
from them that any person can handle
them with perfect safety ever afterward.
Yesterday there were about dozen
bows around Maurice, who seem to be
his little clan. He is both leader and
supreme ruler in that crowd. Without
the least exertion on his part he com
mands implicit obedience from his little
henchmen, who seem TO regard MN Win
a kind of awe. He has but to order TO
be obeyed with alacrity. and ms httie
followers seem to feel pleasure In recog-
pizing one who has such unusual powers
as leader. He does not seem 10 vaiue
the power that renders him superior 10
other boys, and when exhipitlng that
power does it rather as duty or punish
ment than pleasure; at least TINS was the
manner in which he appeared yesterday.
He sometimes decides TO Kill q certain
snake among the number, and all the
persuasion and simple logic that MS ii.tie
followers can produce fail 10 alter tnat
decision. He sometimes EXHIBITS ms
snakes and his power over them Ior hve
cents, and no doubt small amount OF
money will readily overcome MS onJec-
tion to bring out the snakes" (as the
bows saw any time.-DubuQae (lo'od) lei
egraph.
THE most unpopular man in the coun-