The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-23
FIRST SNAKE STORY OF THE SEASON,
Which Is Not Likely to be Surpassed by Any
Liar That May be Produced Later.

LEXINGTON, KY, March q The Transcript
has received the following special dispatch from
Richmond, KY. Patrick Cunningham, of this
place, is death to snakes and venomous reptiles
of ali kinds. The snake that bites him dies in
great agony, frothine at the mouth and swelling
TO almost double its former proportions. Cum
ningham has discovered q poison more deadly
than that Of the reptile, but harmless a lotion
for the human body. and the moment the fangs
of the snake come in contact
with IL a powerful electrical current
is generated that drives the snakes
own poison through every blood vessel in its
body Blood poisoning is the result, which,
with the terrible electrical shock. causes almost
instant death. Cunningham killed, during last
summer, over seventeen thousand snakes In
Madison county, and realized quite a hand
some sum by his wonderful skill in driving
those offensive reptiles from the premises OF
citizens Mr.. J. b. Parks. who owns a beauti-
ful farm near Kingston, was overrun with rat
tIesnRkes and blacksnakes. he lost several
head OF fine Jersey cows, which died from the
effects of rattlesnake bites. Then the black
snakes carried off hundreds of his
young chickens. The place fairly
swarmed with snakes, and Cunningham was
called in He can locate den of snakes by
their scent as easily a dog track rabbit.
he di1 not wait for them TO out of their
hole, but whenever it was practicable he
crawled in after them and killed them right and
left with a club that he carried. All that DIT
him died. but of course the largest number OF
snakes he encountered in his labors could not
nll get a chance To bite him. aud had to be dis
patched with a club. He estimates the number
of snakes killed on Parkss farm at 4,0G0.
''Col. Irvine. who lives just on the outskirts of
Richmond. had three barrels of Anderson
county whisky. fourteen years old, in his cellar.
He left the bung holes open to age it faster and
make ~ mallow. Judge OK hIs sur
prise when he went to show
it to some visiting friends one
morning, to find that il nearly all gone. and
Ia one OF the barrels only about two gallons
snakes were discovered, all in beastly state of
Intoxication, while in the dark of the
cellars groups Of rattlesnakes were coiled, some
SOLDERING ND, while others were in various
hole IN the basemant door, and Colonel
Irvine away with his family for about
three months, IL is supposed that the snakes
not being disturbed, sfaid with the whisky and
did not draw a sober breath during all that time.
This last September.
sCunnin CHAM says he will keen killing
and driving the snakes until there is not one in
the State of Kentucky il the people will pay
him for it. OF course that would be an impossi-
bility for one man TO accomplish, but he says he
likes the business, and hopes TO do a good work
inIthe State if his life and health is only spared
q few years
t'I have stated in this article nothing but
actual facts, without the slightest attempt at
exaggeration. If any Of your readers doubt in
the least they can address Colonel Shackelford,
of Shackslford q Gentry, f. w. Virgins, of
Virgins q Beck. p. NJ Pope, Mr.. Willis, the
postmaster, or any other reputable citizen of
Richmond, or Mr.. Cunningham himself. and
they will hnd that the statements herein made
are nothing but wonderful facts and they will
find that in the matter of extermiuating snakes
from the soil of old Kentucky that Mr.. Patrick
Cunningham is indeed the modern ST. Patrick.