Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-10
The Last Snake Story.
From tha Whitehall Times

From the Whitehall Times,
In the town OF Hague, on the banks
of Lake George, opposite Hullet's Land
ing, has lived for q long time man and
his wife, by the name of MI. and Mrs.
Reuben Davis. This couple have occu-
pied a log cabin, which has been situat-
ed near the waters edge. The place has
been known as the "Rattlesnake Mans
House" and many visitors have made ex-
curslons to the spot to see this singular
locking couple. They have made liv-.
ing from rattlesnakes, capturing many of
the reptiles, and obtaining the oil, which
always commands high price At this
cabin might always seen large numbers
of these reptiles. The old man, who is
now about sixty five years of age, catches
them with long pair Of wooden tongs,
with which he quickly ard dexterously
grasps them with just below the head. he
possesses power to charm them also. it is
said. In tact, he once informed the writ
er, who visited his cabin, that thar
warn a varm1nt that crawled but wot ]
ken make 'ena lay down as quiet as o.
lamb
The old man had about his premises a
large number of snakes, which he ex-
hlpited to visitors, expecting and receiving
many nlekle or aime In return. He
never visited a village without carving
several OF his odious specimens with him,
which ne will draw from his pockets and
place about his neck, or fondle and handle
them as If they were kittens. By these
exhibitions he picks up good MANY
coppers.
Many wonderful stories are told about
s'old Rube' and his wife, the latter being
as much of a curiosity as her husband.
We have been told that the very shanty
swarmcd with rattlesnakes the occupants
not having any fears whatever of them.
The land On which the sbanty stood
was lately purchased by Bishop Seymour,
OF Illinois, who succeeded Bisop
McCoskry, the latter being the hero Of the
late scandal. The owner has tried repeat
edly toget the Davis family to move . !,
but the old couple have refused un.l
lately, when the Bishop threatened to
eject them by legal process. He finally
offered Davis $40 to leave peaceably, and
the old man, his wife, and ahoat load of
snakes left one day last week for Harbor
Island, about a mile south of where the
cottage was situated.
On Friday the torch was applied to the
premises. When the fire began to spread,
a terrible sight met the eyes of those
present. 1t was a sight that caused the
the beholders to flee up trees for safety.
Kissing rattlesnakes and squealing rats
poured out OF the building from all direc-
tons. AS the hot flames sprang towards
the roof, the cracking of the dry boards
was mingled with the rattle OF scores of
maddened serpents and anearthv yell of
rodents. Tie very roof seemed to be
alive with venomous reptiles, and the
bright green and white OF their outside
covering shone with a glare as the flames
Lit apon them. One of the men. who was
close eye. witness of the scene, says:
Zone large snake, about seven feet long,
opened its mouth, and out came at least
two score Of little reptills, whose little
tails shook IN the air as if they, too, were
frenZied at the destruction tho flames
made OF their home. Several snakes
charged ma2ly upon the flames only to
fail back burned to death; while the rats
that could get away took to the woods.
In one place a projecting log was made
the object OF attact by three large reptiles
AS the trio charged madly upon it.
great sheet OF fire whose forked tongues
were even more poisonous than those of
the snakes, rolled around and seized the
reptiles, causing them to cease rafting,
as each one dropped over dead. About
the ground lay many dead serpents and
roasted rats, while some were writhing
and seemed to be in fearful agony"