Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-08-22

swallowed something. The thought
nearly overpowered him, and he says
that he relied on the water he had in
his kettle to keep himself from being
strangled. AS he walked toward
home every time he felt his throat
filling he drank plenty Of water. and
by the time he had reached home he
had drank nearly every drop in the
kettle. He was frightened. and when
he told his wife that he had either
swallowed a snake or lizzard she
dropped to the floor ia a fit The
oldest daughter, aged fourteen. was
quickly sent to a neighbor's for assist
ance. He was buying trees from an
agent Of New York nursery. to be
delivered in the fall. Both men hur-
ried to the home OF Mr.. Potts, and
found him and his wife nearly sense
less. Potts frothed at the mouth,
and his eyes nearly started from their
sockets, The children were scream
ing in terror and fear. Mrs. Potts
was revived, and the agent, who was
a physician somewhat out out OF prac-
tice, went to work on the giant wood
man stretched on the floor. Mrs.
Potts was told to prepare some strong
tea OF certain kind Of plant growing
in the meadow, and while this was
being done. DR.. Gephart, the agent.
and the farmer lifted Potts to a
bench and threw his head back to
the wall. His throat was swollen and
he was given water to drink. He
then breathed slowly and asked for
more water. Gradually he revived,
and he slowly told his story. The
doctor at once realized what had ta-
ken place. Strong, hot tea was then
administered which caused a violent
vomiting, but nothing unusual was
elected. All that night Mr.. Potts suf
fered, but his friends remained with
him, sitting up by turns and taking
care Of him. During the night he had
ten spasms. At five O'Clock in the
morning the doctor" placed a wet
towel on Potts broad chest, and then
held his ear close to it. He then
turned away, and seemed to be hor-
ror- struck; his worst fears seemed to
be realized. At six o'clock he told
Mr.. Potts that he had certainly swal-
lowed some sort OF Kissing reptile.
because its movements within him
could be distinctly heard. Potts was
very weak, but still he said he would
submit to any treatment. DR.. Gep-
hart assured him that he would
stand by him and do all he could.
Finally Mrs. Potts was told to heat a
pot OF milk. Then Potts inhaled the
steam Of this by bending his head
very lew. Instantly he fell back In a
strangling spasm, and it was thought
he would die. He was with difficulty
revived. I'VE must pursue the plan,
said the doctor, and more milk was
put on the stove. Potts was then led
out under a shed roof. and was asked
whether he was willing to undergo
that treatment. He consented. A
wagon was pushed in and the men
got on it. Above was a cross beam
A strong rope was tied to this and
then securely passed around the low.
er limbs of the suffering man. The
wagon was then pulled away, and
Potts was left hanging head down
He was aided in holding his head up
Then the boiling milk was brought
and he inhaled the steam. DIR. Gep
hart held Potts mouth open. The
patients tongue protruded and his
eyes started. The thick steam flowed
into his throat. and the poor sufferer
made noise as il choking. Their
quick as thought the doctor saw ,
head protrude, and seizing 1t with hi
naked fingers he quickly pulled, ant
the reptile was dashed into an empt,
bucket. Mrs. Potts was working lik'
a beaver, and, while the doctor wa
supporting the husband, the wagol
was backed in and in a few second
Potts was lying on the ground nearl.
dead. He was given some whisk,
and water, and was rubbed will
coarse toweling, and finally he seem
ed to be resting easy. His eyes wer
bloodshot, and every vein seeme'
bulged and ready to burst. He wa
carried into the house and put to bed
and light food was administered
His throat was very sore, but still b.
was thankful when he was told tina
. the reptile had been removed. Th
doctor was soon busy examining II
The snake was a singular -lo0kinl
one, and measured nineteen inches Il
length, but at the thickest part OF 1t
body it was not more than half a
. inch. 1t was dark green on the un
q der side and black on top, and appar
. emily had no scales. 1t was kille
and puG into bottle filed with alec
y hol. Mr.. Potts said he would NO
have it In the house, and never want
ed to see 1t again. The tree agen
: took 1t with him. saying he would new
= er forget the incident during his lif'
J The snake Is real curiosity, becaus
= on its back, for about four inches
there are small protuberances grow
. ing, looking like feathers, and on tn
% sides are small fms. At last account
u Mr.. Potts was getting strong agai
j and his throat slowly healing.-Redo