Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-07

A RATTLESNAKE HUNT.


tive Of Wisconsin, and man named John
Depuy, from the western part Of the State Of
Onio, got of an Erie train at Cleveland and
stsrted for Shohola Falls, six miles northwest.
Depuy is d great trout fisherman, and, pur-
chasing fishing rod and basket, the two started
on their way. Leaving ShoboIa, they walked
about mile, wheh they reached the creek land
Depuy commenced fishing. He fished for about
three miles, meeting with good success, when
the TWO coming TO an open spot Oh the right bank
OF the stream, sat down to rest and lunch. While
lunchiDg, Depuy had his attention directed to
small ridge OF rocks Oh the opposite side of
the creek, by peculiar rafting noise. He was
satisfied that rattlesnake den was not far dis
tant, and calling bis blind companions atten-
tion to the fact, Depuy forded the stream.
Reaching the opposite shore, be walked few
rods up the hill, when suddenly bis attention was
drawn to an old dried limb, upon which lay
colled huge rattle snake.
lie halloed to his blind comrade to ascertain
whether he was in hearing distance, and re.
celviog an answer he returned and assisted him
across the stream. Together the two walked to
where Dcpuy had seen the snake when Orfen.
dott sat dowo. Seizlng stout stick Depuy ap
preached to within reaching distance, when he
dealt the reptile sudden blow, killing it in
stanty. No sooner had be killed the snake
than Orfendotf called to him, saying that he
telt something strange crawl over bis feet.
Depuy started to return to his comrade, when
he observed huge rattlesnake not more than
ten feet distant from where the blind man sat,
aod another not three feet away, coiIed and
ready to spring Depuy struck at the furthcst
snake, but missed it: the snake escaping into
the rocks. He requested Orteudoff to remain
perfectly quiet while be slowly approached to
within reaching distance aud attacked the rep
tile. The snake drew back his head in time 70
escape the blow. Depuy again raised his stick,
but before be could bring it down, the snake
struck the bhnd man, burying its fangs deep into
the feshy part OF his right leg, just below the
knee.
As the snake was about to strike the second
time Depuy struck it a blow which killed it, He
then examined his companion. The blood was
oozlng from the wound. and the wound began
to swell rapidly. Having heard that fresh dirt
immediately applied to g snake dite was an
almost certain cure, he secured some and after
repeated applications of this autidote the swell
log began to disappear, and in about two hours
the leg was reduced almost to it's natural size,
and the unfortunate man was able to slowly re-
sumo his journey. They took different course.
aod met with 90 further mishap until they were
about to ascend q small ledge Of rocks near q
swamp. Reaching the summit of the ledge
Depuy, again heard the deadly rattle. and at the
base of the hill he discovered many poisonous
reptiles coled upon stones and sticks.
The snakes we're of various Sizes from two
and half to four and a half feet 10 length He
set to work dispatchiog them, and in less than
fifteen minutes he bad killed forty nine, the
rest making their escape into the rocks and un-
derbrush. 1t was now getting dark, and, having
nearly three miles to &c, 1.-The two started on their
way to the falls, which place they reached with
out any further adventures.
-Four or five weeks ago. subsequent to the
fires in the woods, several COWS and a number
OF sheep, while pasturing in the woods, wan
dered into these dens and were bitten, one cow
and three sheep dying from the bites. The
surrounding neghborhood is quite thcky pop
uiated' and several persons have been bitten
within the last few years.