The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-09
BITTEN BY A RATTLEsNAkE.
The UufortuuHte Performance Of an Amateur
spnke Cbsrmor in Atlanta.

IRON me dNoOln tGd) tONSHHtu0H.
Mr.. Burnev, who recently kept fruit
s,and at the bridge ON Broad street, has family
and children who divide his anection with
snakes. lie thinks he is possessed OF secret
About o'clock Yesterday afternoon he made his
appearance at Dick Loyals barrpom on Peach
tree street with ratlesnake colisu arouhu ,hs LIS
snakes throat In such position as 70 prevent
It from singing him He was told that he
couldn't come in with that snake, but he said lie
only wanted little whiskey The bartender
agreed TO let him have the whiskey upon ms
promising not to let the snake go, or put IL
down. With this understanding he entered the
room and obtained the whskey. As soon as lie
had drank II he violated his word by walking to
the far end of the room, where he deposited the
snake on table. He then Informed his audi
ence. who stood at a respectful distance, that he
would show them how to charm "A snake, and
proceeded to make number Of passes, with
both hands, over and around the snake. The
reptile in the mean time had cOled itself upon
the table so as to completely conceal its head,
and seemed TO pay but little attention to The
The snake WAS fully four feet and a half long.
and had nine rattl les and button, which, ac-
cordng to the rules for determining snakes
ages would make him between ten ana eleven
After conducting his charming operations for
a few moments. Burney took up stick and
passed il around the snake. almost touching IT,,
Tor the purpose. he said. OF making him show his
head. In this he was SUCCESSFUL, for the snake
stuck Il up In moment. Then Burney seized him
around the throat with his hand, and as he lifted
him up, the reptile coiled about his arm. lie
next pIOCeeutu W tle lnt 'iluht ~ IVY Nh'e
around his neck, but he still kept his hold upon
the snakes throat. After performing this cx-
pertinent to his satisfaction, he again laid the
snake down upon the floor. But the snake had
now got I'm a Dad humor and began to show his
wrath by lifting his tail and sounding his rattles
with vicious violence. Burney again took the
stick, and placing II under the snake he would
raise 1t up an inch or Two, and then let hilr iali
back upon the floor. The reptile was now mad
| In good earnest At last he stuck his head up
and Barney grabbed him the second time by the
| throat. Unfortunately Burney caught him
about six inches below his head, and as he raised
him up. the enraged snake threw his head back
| with the rapidity Of lightning and stung him In
| the left hand. The fangs entered his hand Just
| between the points of the thumb and first hnger.
| The wound was So small that IL was almost inn
| perceptible. Burney still held to the snake and
! excaiming. am hit" lie walked back to the
! bar with perfect GOODNESS and asked for more
whiskey. The whiskey was refused him. and
! Butler advised him to go at once to a doctor.
Burney started with his snake on his arm. and
went to Collier Nendbles drug store. Finding
! no doctor there, he went to Or. PembertOn
store. and drank nearly pint OF pure whiskey
| He then came back to Peach street. and went Ia
reached this store. the poison had effected him
| to such an extent that he could scarcely stand
! "A large crowd OF anxious spectators VINO looked
| upon him rs dead man, had assembled, hut
not very close to the snake. Burney was per.
emptorily ordered 10y policeman to throw the
The reptile was forthwith Knocked on the mead
by the policeman and despatched. In the meat
time Burney was examined by Dr. Knott, wht
was present. The doctor found his pulse scarce
! ly perceptible. Or. Knott injected drachiI
! and a half Of ammonia into the veins of Bur
seen and after a brief time Burney went of ap
! pareutly recovered,