The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-10-21
A REprILIAN FIGHT.
Fight Between Rather and n Blaoksnake.

A REPTILIAN FIGHT.
Fight Between Rather and n Blacksnake.
1t was warn, day in August at the
Rock Bridge Alum springs, in old Viz
ginia, and there were 900 visitors sitting
around the hotel and cottages, killing
time until the sun went down behind
Ra,tlesnake mountain. Among the not,
ed guests of Landlord Frazier were Pro
fessor Jackson, afterward known as
'Stonewall;" Honest John Letcher,
Governor of the State; Congressman John
Kerr, of North Carolina, aud Professor
Mitchell, whose name is given to the
highest mountain in the old north State,
where he met his tragic end.
Hosstetter, the professional hunter, was
anchored under the shade OF a silver
maple OH the wide spreading lawn, and
around him were number OF children
and their colored nurses, magnetized, az
it were, by rattlesnake with thirteen
buttons which the hunter had in glass
box covered with drapery. Every now
and then the voice of Hosstetter could be
heard in the stiffness singing out: "Here
is the greatest curiosity on yea-lb boss
snake with thirteen buttons, and the
whole show can be seen for nine pence"
Many children and colord people avail
ed themselves of the opportunity to look
on the "greatest curiosity" and old York
shillipgs, which il Virginia were called
"pinepences," poured into Hosstetter's
pockets. He was getting rich fast when
a circumstance occurred that broke up his
speculation-for time at least.
Charley Mitchell, son ofthe professor,
and Charley Hunt, of Richmond,
had walked across the little rustic bridge,
that spanned Alum creek, where, in front
of the billiard room, summing himself near
the waters edge, lay stretched out to his
full length a mammoth black snake.
Mitchell's pistol came out quickly from
his hip pocket, and be was in the act OF
making target of the peaceable king OF
all snakes, when, Hunt called halt, say
ing: "Virginians never kill black
snake" .it. 90
GAIL reptiles should be sent where the
woodbine twinetb, and why not this
one?, asked Mitchell in andsimpatient>
way. c-n 80 IL a aI
aBecause," answered Hunt in bis mild
est tone of voice, wherever the ., b.-ck &C:
snake makes his home no other yarments,
of like species exist. for he either kills or
drives them out of existence" 80
"You don't mean to say that your pet
snake can whip one carrying rattles on
his tail?" said Michel.
Hunt laughed heartily at the younger
mans lack of knowledge in regard to
snakes, and said: "Rattlesnakes may be
kings in North, Carolina and further
south, but TINT lad lying there is boss ip
these mountains, and, in fact, all over this
commonwealth. 'ge 5t.l or -, -,
"Tbat may be your opinion, but ~
back mine with $100 that he cannot lick
any rattlesnake alive said Mitchell.
'I'll % you just once" quickly re-
sponded Hunt. .iG iaLt-s.
By this time large crowd had Assem-.
bled while on their way to the bowling
alley to take their daily exercise and the
usual rations Of mint juleps, and among
them was "Honest" John Letcher,'into
whose bands the money was placed, to pc
given by him to the backer of the WIN
ming snake after the fight was ended.
The black snake lay baskipg in the
sun; regardless ofthe discussion ne caus.
ed. He seemed, perfectly, at ease, not
caring continental for the superior
intelligence that stood off at q sale dis
tan,cce, and none Of the celebrities present
cared about getting close enough TO his
spake,hip, to disturb him, q truce existed
for the time being. The black snake
being on hand, ready for anything that
turned up, the question arose as to where
rattler could be found, as they were
rather scarce in the immediate vicinity
of the sleeping beauty. But happy
thought struck Mitchell, and he proposed
that q committee of three be appointed
to wait upon Hosstetter and purchase his
show As Mitchell was The mover OF the
resolution, ), the self lforganized committee
of the whole appointed him chairman,
and Governor Letcher and Hunt made
up the trio to call upon HosstetterIthe
wild son of the Alleghaneys-with all
power to buy the rattler at any cost.
When the three gentlemen approached
the veteran hunter he was singing his
old refrain about "the greatest curiosity
on yearth." This vas cut short by
Mitchell saying: "Hoss, how much.
will you take for your show Z"
"Considderin' it's worth to mess day
and that the season is now at its height,
the lowest price I'll ask is $780," answer
ed Hosstetter, in a business manner. ;.
This was out of all question but it
did not take long for the persuasive
elouuence of Governor Letcher to satisfy
"Old Hoss" that good deal OF fun was
in prospect, and compromise was
effected by handing the boss of the show
I $50 note, on condition that ne Woul9
carry his glass box across the creek ana
"spill the tiger out" as Mitchell express
ed it.
The committee feared that by this time
the black snake had taken himself away,
but the sun was shining hot and the
gentlemen manifested great pleasure at
Seeing the king of the snakes coiled up
in the spot where they had left him; put
for fear some accident might happen that
would deprive all present of the morning
sport, Hosstetter was ordered to let his
net loose. He did so by raising the glass
door of the reptiles cage, and as liberty
is sweet even to snake, the ratler crawl
ed out of his pen.up prison, and no sooner
| had he got his entire length on his native
soil than his piercing eyes spotted two
enemies-the black snake in his front
and Hostetter to the rear. With a quick
movement he drew himselfup and struck
at his master, who jumped out OF the
way. This ungrateful action on the part
of the rattler had 'one good effect. 1t
caused the spectators. to move further
back, leaving more room for the battle OF
the snakes.
Money was plenty in those good old
times, and as everybody present seemed
to be possessed of his share of it, high
betting became the order. The extreme
southerners backed the rattler, while the
Virginians, aided by few North Caro-.
linians, accepted all offers made against
the proud and gamy representative snake
of the ancient commonwealth.
1t was estimated that $4,000 was
wagered on the result, but while the gen.
tlemen were arranging their bets the
rival snakes were preparing for the dead
" strife. As soon as the black snake
1 l. L.