The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-02-11
DEATH AMONG SERPENTS.
A Horrible Method of Killing Criminals
in New Guinea.
DAYTON journal

in New Guinea.
Dayton journal.
At 10 O'Clock last night, as q Journal
reporter made his usual rounds to the
depot, strange character was pointed
out to him in the gentlemen's waiting
room. 1t was an aged sailor who had
come from Lansing, Michigan, and was
on his way to New Orleans to end his
days on the element more suited to his
taste than the land. Attracted by his
strange appearance, the reporter acoost-
ed him with few inquiries, and in q
brief time obtained story of adventure
in his wanderings that is marvellous in its
hideousness. He said that one of the
aptest illustrations of savage barbarity
that he had ever seen was in the Ser
penis Valley, in New Guinea. 1t was
dangerous undertaking to travel
through this valley, but we heard so
much about it that We were determined
to go through at all hazards. AS we
stood at the entrance to give our ponies
a "blOw," and then proceeded to enter it,
/ was struck very much with the great
height of the trees, but my guide re-
garded them as nothing at all, as he had
probably seen them hundred times
before. Their clear stems run up nearly
hundred feet before the limbs began to
appear on them, and were very thick
Here, too, were many palm trees, whose
fe2ther-like plumes gave a graceful ap-
pearsnce to the whole valley. There
was also a large tree flower near by,
which was at that season in full bloom,
and the flower, which was a bright scar
let, hung suspending in long, folding
pendants from the branches. At dis.
lance one might easily imagine these
trees TO be ON fire, and was lost in ad-
miration as contemplated these things,
and as we continued up the valley new
beauties opened to us.
"Stopl beware, sailorr cried my guide
in warning tones.
stopped impulsively and looked for
ward under his direction, saw an i'm
mense snake curled up at the foot of the
tree in front of US. ] could not judge of
its length, but it must have been very
great. Another and another Of the coils
were pointed out to me, and had an
unpleasant sensation of cool perspiTa-
ton oozing out of my SKIN.
Take care! take care!' he cried out
| in terror, and catching my pony by the
head he pulled me back toward the
mouth of the valley.
After we had got away some twenty
| yards saw an immense boaconstrictOr
curled around the stem of the tree near
which we had been standing The rep
|
twelve feet over the pathway, and its
head kept rising and falling in much
| the same way as | have seen a turkey
| wrlggle about. The terrible thing
had evidently been summing itself, and
having been awakened by our approach,
proceeded to uncoil its immense body
In order to obtain its midday meal.
It was not less than sixty feet long, l
am sure, for counted at least six coils
4 81 I,<,1V Il 81. all
seven feet for each coil and fifteen for
the head and neck.
After this adventure we hurried back
to the guard and reported what we had
seen.
Several of the men expressed desire
TO see the serpent They were permitted
to approach the mouth of the valley TO
catch distant glimpse of the beacon.
strlctOr, which quite satisfied them.
learned atterward that this route was
never travelled, and that the native es
corts really made an extensive detOuI
and came out secret channel whose ap.
proaches were carefully hidden by trees
and rocks. Some had attempted to pass
through it, but as they had never beer
heard of again, X WIS universally be
iieved that they has been destroyed by
the serpents and there Is but little doubt
that lt is the case. have head some.
lwhere of an army that was stopped by &
I snake, and really believe that the boa.
!, in this valley would hinder the progress
of the bravest army.
From this point our road lay along {
sheltered plain, the path running by the
side of grove of tall, thickly-foliageC
trees. In about an hour from our leav
} ing the valley was startled by hear
, ing cry for help, coming, as it seemed
to me. from directly over my head
On looking upward was horrIled t.
see an unfortunate wretch fastened TO {
tall tree by means Of ropes, and neal
him was q small snake about eight fee
. long. The reptile was standing ereci
and kissing at the man, who was beat
ing his hands wildly and endeavoring u
avoid iisfangs.
"Can we not help himr asked
: greatly excited.
"No; he is criminal and must die
| Better to die thus than to be torn L
pieces by birds. He is fortunate"
2 The snake had now bitten the man, a
3 least SO l judged. for the man gave
scream of terror and pain. and seIzed 1t!
head with haIfopeD;han The venom
GUS beast CURED itself rapidly around
: the neck and body Of the poor man AMI
7 stroye TO draw It's head to his face. bu
e desperation gave him strength, and f5l
e a long time he resisted successfully. 4
. last his strength failed, and / saw, 10 M
> great horror, the snakes faBgs steadily
: approaching the mans mouth, for b
| was almost suffocated.
could look no longer, and turnin,
: my head away. continued my journey
: Again remarked that my guide was ia
e different, snd gave no more than singi
|, | glance G: the criminal who was sufferin,
e 50 horrible death In another hal
mile We saw number of birds hoveriul
over another tree. and, upon reaching II
saw another criminal chained TO its uppe
!. branches. He was vsinly trying TO de
= fend himself against the attacks OF /
large eagle, which sailed backward an
: forward, every now and then descending
= upon the poor wretch and striking hin
! with its tslons.,
When we were seen the fellow erie
out for as to save him. This, however
r was impossible. The guide was immoS
q able, 20 we were compelled TO rid
!. GA and lesve him 70 bis fate. Al