Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-10-28
REPTILES DUEL.
1therners Watch a Black
make Whip a Rather.
AMONG THE SPECTATORS.
~ Money Wagered OH the Result
The Rather Could Not Strike
His Foe.
IA,lanta laa.l communion. ]

m1nd the hotel and cottages Killing
~ until the sun went down behind
<11Psnake mountain. Among the
oed guests Of Landlord Frazier were
6fessor Jackson, afterward known as
1tuewall;" Honest John Letcher,
onEnor of the State; Congressman
- Kerr, of North Carolina, and Pro-
ov Mitchell, whose name is given TO
= highest mountain in the old North
r1o. where he met his tragic end.
osstetter. the professional hunter,
~ anchored under the shade of sill
- maple on the widespreading lawn,
around him were number of chill.
W and their colored nurses, magne-
-, q it were by rattlesnake with
1teen buttons which the hunter had
: aIass box covered with drapery.
9ery now and then the voice of Hess.
1Htr would be heard in the stiffness
<ing out: "Here is the greatest
1osity ON yesrth-a boss snake with
Eteen bnttons-and the whole show
- be seen for ninepence.
s Many children and colored people
&9liled Themselves of the opportunity
~ look on the greatest curiosity,
~ old York shillings, which in Vir-
lula were called "ninepences, poured
"a Hoestetter's pockets. He was get.
1R rich fast, when q circumstance oc-
11ed which broke up his little specu-
1Icn-for time at least.
THE VIRGINIA PET SNAKE.
Charlie Mitchell, son of the profess
ond Charlie Hunt of Richmond,
walked across the little rustic
- that spanned Alum creek, where,
lSont Of the billiard.room, summing
oolf near the waters edge, lay
e>ched out to its full length mann
@th blacksnake. Mitchelfs pistol
- quickly from his hip pocket, and
wAs in the act OF making target of
o peaceable king of all snakes. when
ut called halt, saying: "Virgin-
fans never kill blacksnake.'
All reptiles should be sent where
~ woodbine twineth, and why not
- one!' asked Mitchell in an impa-
rnt way.
3 Because" answered Hunt in his
6sst tone of voice, wherever the
cksnake makes his home no other
znfnts of like species exist, for he
M kills or drives them out Of exist
xou don't mean to say that your
1 snake can whip one carrying rattles
III tails" said Mitchell.
Iunt laughed heartily at the younger
1m't lack of knowledge in regard to
1kee, and said: "Rattlesnakes may
kings in North Carolina and further
utb. but that lad lying there is boss
- theee mountains, and, in fact, all
|1vnr this commonwealth"
That may be your opinion. but I'll
&ntk mine with 500 that be cannot lick
IN rattlesnake alive, said Mitchell.
" 60 you just once, quickly re-
n1ed Hunt.
u this time large crowd had assem-
~ While on their way to the bowling
~ to take their daily exercise and
r. usual rations of mint juleps, and
1Dng them was Honest" John
o1oher, into whose hands the money
- placed, to be given by him to the
neker Of the winning snake after the
At WAS ended.
SEARCH FOR A RATrLER.
ne blacksnake lay basking in the sun,
nfdless OF the discussion he caused.
seemed perfectly at ease, not caring
&1ntinental forth superior intelligence
- stood off at safe distance. and as
<rno Of the celebrities present cared
ont getting close enough to his snake,
- 10 disturb him, truce existed for
= time being. The blacksnake being
hand, ready for anything that turned
the question arose as to where rat
= could be found. as they were rather
roc in the immediate vicinity of the
ooping beauty. But happy thought
E<1uck Mitchell and he proposed that
Gonmittee Of three be appointed to wait
oa Hosstetter and purchase his show.
- Mitchell was the mover of the reso-
cion, the self-organized committee of
D whole appointed him Chairman, and
vernor Letcher and Hunt made up
y trio to wait upon Hosstetter-the
<|d son Of the Alleghanies-wilh all
ver to buy the rattler at any cost.
hen the three gentleman approached
6 veteran hunter, he was singing his
relrain about ''lhe greatest curiosity
3earth. !" This was cut short by Mitch
6oYinR: 'Hoss, how much will you
> for your show?"
Onsiderin' it's worth to me So day,
that the season is now at its height,
= lowest price I'll ask is $780," an.
<ed Hosstetter, in q business man.
W was out Of the question; but it
oot take long for the persuasive elo-
@noe Of Governor Letcher to satisfy
IA Hoss" that good deal Of fun was
fIrospect, and compromise was effect
~ handing the boss Of the show $40
-. on condition that he would carry
= Glnss bcx aero the creek and "spill
rs Giaer out, as Mitchell expressed it.
he committee feared that by this time
b|acksnake had taken himself away,
" the sun was shining hot and the
111emen manifested great pleasure at
lpg the king Of the snakes coiled up
- spot where they had left him; but
fear some accident might happen
- would deprive all present of the
Gning sport, Hosstetter was ordered to
Nj pet loose. He did SO by raising
o glass door of the reptiles cage, and
liberty ID sweet even to snake, the
<WLED OUT OF Ills PENTUP PRISON,
- no sooner had he got his entire
nth on his native soil than his pierre.
eyes spotted two enem es the black
~ Ia his front and Hosstetter in the
=. With quick movement he drew
1elf mp and struck ut his master, who
Nd out of the way. This migrate.
6otion on the part of the rattler had
good effect. 1t caused the spectators
love further back, leaving more room
~ battle Of the snakes.
cney was plenty in those good old
~ and a. everybody present seemed
~ possessed of his share of it, high
~ became the order. The extreme