River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-11-14
The Last Snake story.

From The whitehall Times
In the town Of Hague, on the banks
of Lake George, opposite Hullet's Land
ing, 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 situat-
ed near the waters edge. The place has
been known as the "Rattlesnake Mans
| Houae," and many visitors have made ex-
cursions 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-tive 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 fact, he once Informed the writ
err, who visited his cabin, that 'thar
warnt varm1nt that crawled but wot |
ken make 'em lay down as quiet as a
lamb
The old man had about his premises a
large number of snakes, which he ex-
hiDited 10 visitors, expecting and receiving
many a mike or dime IN return. lie
never visited a village without carving
several of his odious specimens with him,
which he will draw from his pockets and
place about bis neck, or fondle and handle
them as If they were kittens. BY these
exhibitions he picks up a good many
coppers.
Many wonderful stories are told about
''old Rube" and his wife, the latter being
as much of a curiosity as her husband.
We have been told that the very shanty
swarmed 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
eddy to get the Davis family to move off,
! but the old couple have refused until
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 aboat LOAD OF
snakes lett one day last week for Halbor
1 Island, about mile south OF where the
cottage was situat ID.
On Friday the torch was applied TO the
premises. When the fire Began to spread,
terrible sight met the eyes of those
present. 1t was q sight that caused the
/ the bcholders to fee 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
naddened serpents and anearthv yell of
rodents. Tae very roof seemed to be
| alive with venomous reptiles, and the
bright green and white OF their outside
! covering shone with glare as the flames
lit upon them. One of tie men. who was
| close eve witness of the scene, says
| "One 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 the flames
made of their home. Several snakes
charged ma ly upon the flames only to
| tai back burned to death; while the rats
hat could get away took to the woods.
In one place projecting log was made
the object of attact by three large reptiles.
As the trio charged madly upon it. a
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 ~ he in fearful AGONY"