Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-07-26
BUTLER CITIZEN.
MISCELLANEOUS.
ACreeue County Snake Story.

The WAynesburg Republican has
struck the champion snake story, cred
tied to Isaac Keyes, whom it endors-
"a az ole of their 'most ubiquitous
citizens.n The story is given in detail
to the effect that George Rinehart and
Will Hardin were out hunting In
Unk,s Hollow, ravine about two
miles southeast of Waynesburg. They
separated for q short time and while
Rinehart was sitting on q log, about
forty Yards above him, on the hillside,
appeared huge green, Shiny head,
resembling somewhat the head OF q
horse in size and shape, and which
was surmounted by pair of sharp.
straight horps, and with large blood
shot eyes that protruded and bulged
out from its face. Mr. Rinehart freely
admits that for moment ne was al
most paralyzed at the fearful sight.
When he recovered his presence OF
mind he raised his gun to his shoulder
to fire, but recognizing the utter foiiy
of shooting small shot at such mon
ster he again lowered it. resolved to
let it alone if it did not attack him.
The uncanny thing then disappeared,
and when it next made its appearance,
he was horrifed to see~-it bad his
Young. friend, Hardin in its terrible
laws, and was making up the hill at
full speed. He grasped his gun and
rushed to the rescue of his friend, and
was able to overtake it just as it reach
ed the top of the hill, and gave IT both
barrels, which had the effect to make
1T drop its victim 1t then took 9
southerly course and beaded toward
Cedar Point, on the farm Of Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Rinehart continued the pursuit.
and was able to get in several more
shots at the monsterj but as II was
covered with large scsles, the shots
either Glanced harmlessly o. Or were
fsttened on its armor. II fnally took
refuge in . large hole or cave which
opens into one Of the gulleys on the
south side Of the point. Mr.. T. then
rolled large stone into the mouth OF
the hole to prevent biz sDakeship from
escaping, and wcat back to look after
his friend Hardin. He found him sit.
ting on the ground in dazed condi-
tion where be bad been dropped,
Strange to say, with the exception Of
q few scratches and bruises. he did not
appear to be much the worse fof his
terrible experience, and was able, with
some assistance, to walk home.
In the afternoon large party was
organized to 90 opt and give the mon
ster battle, and armed with guns, axes,
clubs, &c, they repaired to the place
where it was imprisoned. On reaching
the cave, they removed the stone and
and built large fire in the opening
and waited for his appearance. They
had but q short time time to wait, for
as the smoke began to pour into the
caye terrific roar was heard, and the
LUCE reptile made rush for the open
cir, scattering the brands in every di-
rection. The brave portion of the hun
ters gave it volley as it rushed past,
but the majority were to much fright
ened to do anything but get out of the
way. 1t was followed by some Of the
men for several miles up Pursely
creek, but they soon lost the trail and
returned.
1t is described as being twenty-five
feet in length, two feet in diameter,
and with four short stout legs, all cov-
cred with scales that would seemingly
turn rife ball. Dr. Rogers said last
night that his patient, young Hardin,
was not much hurt and would be as
well as ever in few day.
The foregoing is vouched for by all
the hunters who took part in it.