New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-26
POINTS ABOUT RATTLESNAKES,
KILLING THEM WITH BARE HANDS-MAKING
THE REPTILES COMMIT SUICIDE.

KILLING THEM WITH BARE HANDS-MAKING
THE REPTILES COMMIT SUICIDE.
"The od-tlme Westener' said the story teller
always believed that If he wore the dried skin of
rattlesnake in his hat he would have head
ache. He also tied dried skin to the rommel Of his
saddle preventive against rheumatism; he
to look upon RATHER not exactly a blessing, but
not evil.
"A rattlesnake is not half so wicked people
suppose, and he is really great coward When a
| heavy rainstorm has drowned hn out Of his hole he
always looks for warm place. II is no unusual
| thing in very wet weather for man in a camp to
be awakened at night by cold damp body under
his blankets He knows instantly what 1t IS for
there is mist aklng the chilling touch but he is
never afraid for the cold snake is thoroughly cowed
| and lies still. So the gets up. pulls his
visitor by the tail and kills him and gets between
the blankets again, hoping he Will be left alone for
the rest of the night.
"When a man is riding along and RATHER he
considers It his duty to jump from his saddle and Kill
the warmth. This is such common practice that
men often exceedingly reckless. They Jump down
and actually pull OFF their heavy gloves TO perform
the execution with the bare hand. As the snake is
gliding along you may catch him by the tip Of the
tail and draw him out at full length. lie can't rattle
then and at loses all his courage. You hold
him by the tail with hand and break his back with
your whip. Another way is TO seize the tip of the
tail and. with a quick movement swing him over your
head bringing him to the ground with such force that
he is stunned, when you may kill him your fancy
dictates. have heard stories Of mems taking them
by the tails and cracking their heads off would
snap a whip / don't believe this be done
though, as snakes body is too sprlngy. 1t would be
like trying 10 snap a whip of India rubber
Of course take OF their gloves ia spirit OF
bravado to show that they have no fear; but a man
can't help being terribly frightened when he feels
that the snake has the advantage OF him. remember
seeing a stoop down 10 catch rattesuake once
just the animals head disappeared IN its hole.
When a snake is entering hole il turns H. head until
rattlesnake is uneasy when part OF its body is
protected and the other IS exposed TO danger. The
man knew this, Of course. aud instead of selling
the tail he struck his spur into the body 10 pub IL
darted forth like a flash and buried It's fangs In the
mans thick boots There wasn't the slightest danger
Tor above his boots he wore long leather leggings.
BUT the spur caught fast in the snakes hide and
seconds he gave one Of the hveest exhibitions Of
enetgeuc, earnest whoe-soued, vigorous kicking
suppose that ever / another
nan quite so glad 10 be rid Of "a thing he had
mont ueiole been so eager TO have.
w.rm iaTonte amusement in duh times on a
warm DAY Is pulling teeth man
whips silk handkerchief before the snakes head,
ana Just as tne animal strikes at the moving silk the
fangs pUhe through the folds the mouth closes, a
skllfnl tWst ana Jerk pull the poisonous tooth
TO SNOW yon what "a coward rattlesnakes are | NAV
say that nave seen them frightened that they
have actually committed suicide. when a rattler's
back Is broken he instantly tries TO coil himself lie
can't rattle when his back is broken and this terrdeS
him that after few attempts he tries 10 run away
This being equally impossible he turns and buries his
fangs in his flesh, poisoning himself 10 deafh
So that the much hated rattlesnake sometimes IN he
plied for his grief and despair at finding his power
oil "a