The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-22
AS TO RATTLESNAKEs.
Do They Jump at Their Victims-What
n Hunter Has Learned.
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.

Hunter Has Learned.
Special Dispatch TO Tho Appeal.
CorFEEvILLE, Miss, Nov. 2l.-several
writers have asserted, one Of them in the
Philadelphia Press. that rattlesnakes do
not jump at their victims. This is a
ridiculous assertion, and no one acquainted
with that most dangerous OF all deadly
reptiles would set up such claim. The
following thrilling incidents are matters OF
record, as they were related, in every In
slant, by reliable Witnesses
Early one morning in the month OF June,
1878, two young men left their home, near
the Alabama aud Georgia line, to go pos
sum hunting as, although the little gray
animals were not suitable for the table at
that season Of the year, it was the Gus
tomary sport for the farmer lads OF that
community. After mile or 80 had been
trayersed, the deep baying OF the dogs
could be heard in the distance, and the
two stopped for n moment to locate the
sound Just MS they paused, the familiar
"biz.zz" Of rattlcsnake attracted their ut
tcntion, and one of the boys determined
to await the dawn OF day and kill il. His
companion cndeavorcd to persuade him
to continue the hunt, but without
avail; 80 stepping upon log, both
remained quiet for fifteen or twenty
minutes. by that time il was light enough
TO see, and the one who had determined
TO dispatch the 'rattling bug approached
a clump OF weeds from which the sound
appeared TO proceed. On reaching the
weeds the youth pushed them suddenly
aside with his foot, and large "raItler,
! Coiled for striking, was exposed 10 view.
| As the young man raised his stick, the
snake left the ground, loaping forward and
upward and striking his victim full in the
| face. With moan OF horror, the youth
recoied aud the snake slid TO the ground.
Barely touching the EARTH IL rose again,
but was this time met midway by the
stick, which, being rotten, snapped in
twain. Once more the snake lcapcd up
ward and again fastened its iangs in the
young mans cheek. Clutching II near
the head, the poor young fellow drew out
his pocket. knife, opened II with his teeth
ami quickly dccap,atcd the ugly, shiny
thing. As the yellow body slid down
ward, the youth staggered back, grasping
at tree for Support, but missing IT, fell to
the ground, and in u few moments was
dead. Particulars Of the terrible battle
were published In nearly every paper in
the United States ut the time, but still
occasional wntcrs keep bobbing up and
declaring that "rattlcsnakes do not jump
at their victims"
In 1888. while hunting in the wilds OF
the Loosa Scoona swamp, lsuddcnly came
upon two large specimens OF the dreaded
reptiles. had not noticed them until
their deadly rattle reached my ears. Hast
ily cooking both barrels OF my gun, / fired
at the largest, and then quickly whirled
the muzzle toward the other. As turned
! caught sight of spotted body leaving
the earth, and in desperation, pulled the
trigger. As good luck would have II, the
snake struck the muZllo just as the charge
left the gun, and the huge head was blown
from the body. This ra,tlcsnakc not only
jumped, but actually came through the
air, much as panther does when spring
ing upon lis prey.
Pompcy llooper's fight with these same
reptiles an account Of which was pub
lishod In TuE ArrEAL long since, also
goes 10 prove the ialsity Of the statement
before alluded TO, aud your correspondent
cannot help thinking that the write; In
the Ircss II natural born prcyaricaior. or
that the rattlcsnakOs OF the South possess
moro activity than those Of Pennsylvania.