Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1884-06-25

y
bishop, his labors for the first eight
years were no more exacting than those
OF his colleagues. But becoming speed
lily known as an eloquent speaker he was
often called on for addresses and ora
lions on other occasions than those which
his episcopal duties called him. At
the breaking out of the civil war he
found an audience as wide as the coun-
try. There could be no complaint that
he neglected any of his official duties
But In addition to these his labors were
incessau+ preaching, occurring evcrv-
where, East and West, the duty Of the
people to their imperiiled country. He
was one of the most untiring and efficient
sustainers OF both the Christian and
the sanitary commissions After the
war he was still called upon for much
additional work besides that pertained
to his episcopal duties, and there grew
| heavier from year To year as one alter
another Of his laborers therein died in
the harness. 1t was not until 1872,
when his mul,ifafious heavy eXertions
| in the cause Of the Church and of hu-
manitv had broken down his vigorous
constitution aud great powers OF endur-
ance. that the members of the episco-
pate were increased by the General
| Conference sufficiently to relieve Bish-
CD Simpson, aud the Surviving men,
bers Of those who with him had borne
the burden and heat of the day, from
the continual strain Of heavy overwork.
For a time absolute rest was enforced
by his physicians, and it was not after
ward possible for him to take up such
| burdens az be had before carried.
He had taken always a yery great
interest in the foreign missionary work
Of the Church, and especially in the
Zenana work of the woman's mission
arv societies. His influence was given
in the most efficient manner when 1t
was frs. proposed to send cut thor
oughly educated lady ply sicianS as
missionaries, and the complete success
of the work was always great gratifi-
cation 10 him. The whole of
Bishop Simpsons private and public
record has been that of one of the most
devoted, faithful and efficient of Chris
vian workers.
THE Butler boys of the Junior class
at Thiel College, Greenville, we learn
acquitted themselves with credit at the
Commencement exercises of the same
last week. .
In the Coils OF a Huge Black
snake.
Jonathan Hogne, well known resi-
dent of Taylor township, Lawrence
county, met with thrilling experience
on Decoration Day, which he will un-
doubtedly not forget until he leaves
this mundane sphere Mr.. Hogue on
that day engaged in repairing a rail
fence on that portion of his farm known
as "Porter's Hill" a distence of about
one hundred rods from his residence.
While STOPPING to pick up rail, q
blacksnake between six and seven feet
in length, with the speed of flash of
lightning, threw several coils of its
body around his legs below the knees.
In doing so the serpent's head extended
above Mr.. Hogue's knees. The black
snakes actions was probably caused
by Mr.. Hogue stepping upon its tail
while he was lifting the rail. Mr..
Hogue, although 81 years of age, is a
very powerful man, yet the construct
ing power of the snake was so great
that be was almost overcome. With
an effort he succeeded in shaking off
the horror engendered by bis perilous
situation, and summoned up all his
strength, he grasped TIE snake with
both hands tightly around the neck
about three inches below the head and
attempted to throttle it. The struggle
was tremendous one. When the
snake felt the comprising power OF
Mr. Hogqe's hands oa its neck, it
tightead It's coils until it fairly made
the bones creak which were enoi. eled
by its body. A yellow slime exuded
from its mouth, and it bit him repeat
edlv on his hands, until the blood poured
-'om the wounds. His hands present
ed a siokening sight, being soon cover
ed with blood, mixed with the ysi.cV
fluid from the snakes mouth. At last,
after a struggle which was prolonged
fully q period Of five minutes, and dur
ing which tbs yese.atiQn for several
wards around was trampled down anq
covered with the slime from the ser
pent's mouth, Mr. Hogue, with one
| tremendous effort, wrenched the ser
pent from bis limbs, sp4, thi9Wing it
as far az he could from him, ran ioF
dear life for home, at which place be
arrived completely exhausted and
nerveless. Attention was immediate
ly paid to his wounded hands, as fear
pyevqiIed that they were poisoned.
These fears proved groqndless, as they
did not swell, and healed Hp lihe of4i.
nary wounds The following sgnGay
Mr.. Hogue and one of his soDs visited
the scene of the encounter, but saw
nothing of the snake, The tops of the
grass ip the vicinity, which had been
covered with tho slime from the
snakes mouth, were all found to he
dead or dying, showing that however
innocuous the slime might be to man
kind, it was fatal to vegetation. The
above tale may seem improbable to
some of our readers, but we can vouch
for its truth iu every particular, and
will refer donbtcPs TO Mr.. HOgGe hlla-
ieIf, who is attending Court this week
as juror, and from whose lips we re-
ccived it.-GuardjaR.
REV. FERGUSON, of this place, we
see i. stated, was rendered the Presi-
dency of the college at New Whining
ton, Lawrence county, at the late con-
mencement exercises Of the same. We
are not advised as to his acceptance or
not.