The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-06
JAYNEs' $4,000 SNAKES.
He Raises Them for Profit and Clears
Alb out $4,000 Year.
From the Cincinnati Enquire


GAINESVILLE, Mo-, Nov. 1S.-Probably
tie oldest occupation ever followed by man
is that of an old Tennessean who lives
about three miles north of here in the
Ozark mountains. 1t is George Jaynes, or,
as he is known in this neighborhood,
"Snaky George" Javnes came here from
the mountains of Tennessee several
years ago, and followed the occupation of
hunting for living. He never got very
much ahead, but managed to exc out good
living for himself by the sale of game and
skins. He brought with him from his old
home the art Of making snake oil, and sold
several pints during each season to the vari-
GUS druggists in this part of the state, and
always got good price for it, as it was of
an excellent quality.
The rocks Of the Ozark mountains abound
with rattlesnakes, and it was not long be-
fore Jaynes saw that if he went at it right
he had a bonanza in the business. He
looked about and found piece of rocky
land on the south side of the mountain,
which was utterly worthless as far as agri-
culture was concerned. He entered this
land as a homestead, and began i'm
proving it in a most peculiar way. In
stead OF clearing off the rocks he tried to
get more there and soon he had built a
veritable snakes retreat The hillside was
honeycombed with holes, and everything
that a snake could desire to make life a
pleasure was added to the spot While he
had entered 100 acres, be only utilized about
forty of them. He built house Of stone,
but cemented it thoroughly inside and out,
for, while he made living Off Of snakes, he
did not care to have too close a companion
ship with them.
Having arranged his farm to his satisfac-
tlon, he set about getting inhabitants for
the place. In this he experienced little
trouble, for the hills abounded with the
reptiles and he knew how to catch and
handle them without danger. His daily
excursions we're taken with the view Of
bringing home a new resident for mis- farm,
and his live stock increased with wonderful
speed. About four years ago he completed
his work of stocking his place, and now
he is ping the benefit of his acumen
Snakes are everywhere on the place, and
on a warm day the sight on the bill
back Of the house would give drinking
man the impression that "he had 'em
again." Rattlesnakes of all sizes and condi-
tions are seen lying around in profusion or
crawling over the rocks, squrming and
twisting in heaps, while the deadly whirr of
the rattles makes music which strikes ter
ror to the heart of one unaccustomed to the
situation. Above all is that terribly nau.
seating odor which fills the whole air and
drives away any one not accustomed to
such an offensive scent.
"Snaky George estimates that there are
10000 full-grown rattlesnakes on the place,
and says that he kills an average OF 1000
every season. He only kills them during
the months of September and October, for
then they are the latest aud are full of oil.
They are getting ready to go into winter
quarters, andRre in prime condition. His
method of catching them is simple. He has
fed them in a certain cleared spot ever since
they have been on the place. and, they
now come there regularly. When
he wants to begin work he stands
on an elevated rock near the place, and
with slip moose OF wire catches as many
as be can use and kills them. He then takes
the bodies to his house, where he throws
them into caldron and renders out the oil.
This he packs In heavy bottles and ships TO
various wholesale druggists over the coun-
try, it being used in the preparation Of
various linlments.
One good sized RATHER will make pint Of
oil, and this brings 81 So or nets Jaynes
about 81 after all expenses OF rendering
betting and shipping are paid.