The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-01-26
BURNING SNAKES AND RATS.
HOW BISHOP SEYMOUR BROKE UP A RATTLE
SNAKE COMMUNITY.
W hisehali Times

| whitehall Times.
In the town of Hague, on the banks OF
Lake George, opposite Hulett's Landing,
have lived for q long time a man and his
! This couple have occupied log cabin near
| the waters edge. The place has been
| known as the "Rsttlesnske Mans House.,
and many visitors have made excursions to
| the spot to see the singular looking couple.
| They have made q living from rattlesnakes
| capturing many of the reptiles and obtain :
| ing the oil, which always commands high
| price. At this cabin might always have
been seen large numbers of these reptiles.
The old man, who is now about sixty-fve
years of age, catches them with long pair
| of wooden tongs, with which he quickly
and dexterously grasps them jast below
the head. He then either killed them out
right or else removed their fangs, and thus
rendered them harmless. He once informed
the writer, who visited his cabin, that
thar warn't a varmint that crawled but
wot ken make 'em lay down as quiet as
a lamb" The old man had about his
premises large number of snakes which
he exhibited to visitors, expecting and re-
ceiving many a nickel or dime in return.
He never visited q village without carrying
several of his odious specimens with him,
which he will draw from his pocket and
place about his neck, or fondle and handle
them as if they were kittens. Many won
derful stories are told about Old Robe and
his wife, the latter being as much of a cur
osity as her husband. We'have been told
that the very shanty swarmed with rattle
snakes, the occupants not having any fear
whatever of them.
The land on which the shanty stood was
lately purchased by Bishop Seymour of
Illinois. The owner has tried repeatedly
to get the Davis family to move off, bus
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 boatload of snakes left one
day for Harbor Island, about mile south
of where the cottage was situated. On
Friday the torch WAS applied to the prem
ises. When the fire began to spread ter
rible sight met the eyes of those present.
Il was a sight that caused the beholders to
fee up the trees for safety. Kissing rattle
snakes and sqoealing rats poured out
of the building from all directions. AS
the hot flames sprang towards the roof the
cracking of the dry boards was mingled
with the rattle of scores of maddened ser
pents and unearthly yells OF rodents. Thci
very.roof seemed to be alive with venom
ous reptiles, and the bright green and
white OF their outside covering shown with
glare as the flames lit upon them. OuG
large snake, about seven feet long, opened
his mouth, and out came at least TWO eco. q
of little reptiles, whose little tails shook id
the air as if they too were freuzied at thek
destruction the flames made of their home.
Several snakes charged madly upou thek
Hsmes, oGy to fall back barned to DEATH
while the rats that could get away took ID
the woods. In one place projecting logF
was made the object of attack by thref
reptiles. As the trio charged madly upoEs
it q great sheet of FIRE, whose forke1
tongues were even more poisonous tha1
those Of the snakes, rolled around aud
seIzed the reptiles, causing Sheu to cease
rattling as each one dropped over dead.