Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-01
RattleSnakeS.

A correspondent writes us : s"To those
who havo never lived where people are
obliged to be constantly on their guard
against rattlesnakes few particulars as
to the habits may be of interest. The
house of the writer is built upon sandy
knoll covered with prickly pears q sit
uation said to have attractions for these
snakes. Whether that is true or not,
the dwellers in the house have seen O
good many of these uncomfortable
neighbors, and have sent many a rattle
TO Eastern friends to remind them of one
of the pleasures of pioneer lfe." OF the
rattlesnake the writer says:
"The kind found on the Colorado
plains is notified and of grayish tint
SO nearly the color of the cactus and the
grass (Which never takes on a vivid
green) that a person might pass very
near one and not see it, did it not sound
its warning rattle.
"The sound of the rattle reminds me
of the angry buzzing of bee impris-
oned ina hollyhock flower, only it is not
so continuous.
It is not safe in this region to 20
into garden and put ones hand care
lessly among the plants to gather peas
or beans, or to pull potato vines, for un-
der just such plants his snakeship de-
lights to take a nap on sultry days.
"No child too young to look out foz
these intruders can be allowed to play
away from the door.
"The reptiles creep into cellars and
under boards, and general watchfulness
is always in order. The harvester must
keep sharp lookout for this deadly
enemy. When stacks of wheat are re-
moved it is not uncommon to find snakes
under them, or to hear the sharp defiant
rattle as bunch of grain is tossed on
the load. The feelings of the man upon
the rack on which the unwelcome visitor
has been landed, can be imagined.
IF an enemy comes too near, the
rattlesnake will sound his rattle and
hurry for the nearest prairie dogs hole,
unless it is actually molested then ii
will fight.
"In August the bite of this snake is
said to be more poisonous than at any
other time of the year. Then they are
blinded by the shedding OF their skins,
and, as they cannot see, they strike al
every sound they hear. This makes
them unusually dangerous.
81 have seen the head of rattlesnake
completely severed from its body re-
peatedly Jump an inch from the ground,
at the same time thrusting its fangs from
the widely. opening mouth.
BY many persons it is thought these
serpents dislike water and are not found
in low places. They are more numerous
on high, dry land, but they arc found
on river bottoms. For some reason the
meadow rattlesnakes are much more
pugnacious than the others.
Whisky is the most common remedy
for the bite Of the rattlesnake. It must
be taken at once and in sufficient guam.
titles. A gentleman who has travelled
over these plains for twenty years told
me he never knew q snake-bite to cause
death where whisky was Immediately
drank.
"One fatal case caused by delay he
related; Mexican in his employ had
been in the habit of cutting off snakes
heads with knife without first stunning
the snakes. He did this once too often
and received bite in his hand.
Strange to say, he did not tell of i,
until he began to feel very III, two hours
afterward. His party were crossing the
plains, and the only place where they
could hope to get help was at soldiers
fort six miles away.
"Before the whisky could be procured
the man was too far gone to be benefited
and soon died, apparently suffering
great agony"