The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-10-03
aThesLast Snake Story.
Whitehall Times.l

r.
In the town of Hague, on the banks
of Lake George, opposite Huletts Land
ling, has lived for a long time man and
his wife, by the name of Mr.. and Mrs.
Reuben Davis. This couple have occu-
pied log cabin, which has been situated
near the waters edge. The place has
been known as. the Rattlesnake Mans
House." and many visitors have made
excursions to the spot to see this
singular-looking .couplea9IThey have
made a living from rattlesnakes, cap
turing many Of the reptiles, and obtain
ing the oil, which always commands a
high price. At this cabin might always
have, been seen large numbers of these
reptiles The old man, who is now
about sixty4five years of age, catches
them with q long pair of wooden tongs,
which he. quickly and dexterously
grasps them with Just below the head.
He then eithefGkilled them outright or
else. removed their fangs, and thus
rendered them harmless. He possessed
power to- charm them also, it is said.
In fact. he once informed the writer,
who visited his cabin, that thar
warn varmint that crawled but wot
/ ken make 'em lay down as quiet as a
lamb" ",...,{,-. ,,,3t,..,,..,s., ....
The old man had about his premises a
large number of snakes, which he ex-
hibited to visitors, expecting and
receiving many nickel or dime in
return. He never visited a village
without carrying several of his odious
specimens with him, which he will draw
| from his pockets and place about his
neck; or fondle and handle them as if
theyfwere kittens. i By these exhibitions
he picks up a good many coppers.
Many wonderful stories are told about
cold Rube" and his wife, the latter
being as much of curiosity as her hus-
| band. We have been told that the very
shanty swarmed with rattlesnakes, the
occupants not having any fears whatever
of them. s,).A Prs
The land on which the shanty stood
was lately purchased by Bishop Sey.
mour, of Illinois, who succeeded Bishop
McC Coskry, the latter being the hero Of
the late scandal. The owner has tried
repeatedly to get the Davis family to
move of, but tthe,old couple have refused
until lately, when the bishop. threatened
/ to eject them by legal process. He
4 finally offered Davis SO to leave peace.
ably, and the old man, his wife, and q
| boat load of snakes left one day last
week for Harbor Island, about mile
south of where the cottage was situated
4 On Friday. the torch was applied to
/ the premises. When the fire began to
spread, terrible sight met the eyes Of
those, present. It was a sight that
caused the beholders to flee UP trees fol
safety. Kissing rattlesnakes and squeal
ing rats poured out of the building from
all directions. As the hot flames sprane
towards the roof, the cracking Of tht
I.dry boards was mingled with the rattlt
of scores of maddened serpents and un
earthly yells of rodents. The very roo
seemed to be alive with venomous rep
tiles, and the bright green and, white oi
\ their outside covering shone with glare
as the flames lit upon them. One of ths
men, who was close eyewitness of ths
scene, says: " One large snake, abou
seven feet long, opened its mouth, anc
out came at least two score of little rep
tiles, whose little tails shook in the ali
as if they, too, were frepzied at the de
struction the flames made of their home
Several snakes charged madly upon th,
flames only to fall back burned to death
while the rats that could get away tool
! to the woods. In one place a projecting
log was made the object Of attack b.
three large reptiles. Asthe trio charged
4 .nadly upon it, a great sheet Of fire
whose forked tongues were even NOR
poisonous than those of the snakes
I rolled around and seized the reptiles
causing them to cease 'rattling, as eacl
lone dropped over deads About tn
ground lay many dead ,serpents an
] roasted rats, while some were writhin,
/ and seemed to be in fearful agony"