The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-11
LINKv1LLE LIKE SNAKES.
And According to This Account Link
willie Has EN-.

sNllle has EN-.
From Forest and Stream
The most unique locality to be found by
the sportsman is probably that surround
ing the town of Linkyille, in Klamath
county. Oregon. The town nestles at the
foot OF large mountain. and lies right on
the bank of what is locally known as Link
river. This stream, which is quite large,
connects the Upper and Lower Klamath
lakes, is alive with thousands, and probably
millions, Of large fish, which are constantly
passing to and fro between the two lakes,
and are as constantly jumping out OF
water in sight of the town. They are af all
sorts and sizes. Some of them appear to be
cutting up these antics for the fun of the
thing, and some to shake some kind of an
eel-looking creature which attacks them in
the water and becomes attached to their
sides, causing the fish apparently much
suffering. 1t is no uncommon thing for
large fish to be taken there whose sides are
all SCARED up in consequence of these
attacks.
1t would not be surprising if many fish
were thus destroyed. Probably there are
not in the world two lakes more numerously
stocked with trout than the Upper and
Lower Klamath lakes. Judging by map
measurement they each average thirty
miles in length by ten miles in width. Many
large streams empty into them. affording
splendid fishing and spawning grounds.
Lying east of the Cascade range of noun
tains, where genuine winter weather pre-
walls in season for it, the water is better
and the fish healthier aud solid-features
which do not prevail on the western side of
the mountains, where an almanac has to be
consulted to ascertain accurately the season
of the year.
But to revert to Link river. There is
"a.
banks; they are a snake paradise. The blue
ribbon-though it may have been consis1-
entity worn by the sportsman for the last
decade of his life-will not prev ent the see
ing or tens of thousands of snakes in a walk
of a mile from the town. They are of
harmless variety, and of all colors aud sizes,
six inches to six feet in length. On warm
sunny days they lie twisted together in
heaps of hundreds, and it is not uncommon
to see 5000 of them in fifteen minutes
walk. If disturbed while taking their
siesta, in their effort to get away they be-
come twisted into the form of a cable as
large as mans body and cannot move.
According to an estimate made by one of
Oldest and most intelligent inhabitants of
that vicinity, there are snakes enough in that
country to build wall four feet wide and
four feet high at least mile long. Some
of the farms there are fenced with walls
laid up with round water worn stones.
These walls constitute the home of thous-
ands of these reptiles. If of one these walls is
approached, from nearly every interstice
snakes head will be projected with forked
tongue forbidding trespass on their domain.
What is singular about this whole affair Is
the protection afforded to these reptiles by
the inhabitants there. They will not allow
them to be killed or even captured. Their
children, familiarized with them from
their BIRTH have no loathing or fear of the
reptiles, but pick them up and play with
| them, as any other child does with
a toy, under caution of the parents
not to hurt them. The reasons given by
the farmers aud others for this protection
| are three. First, the farmers could raise
no crops without their aid in destroying
various bugs, insects and vermin which
would otherwise overrun the whole region
with destruction of all living vegetation; ;
second, the reptiles smell sickening enough
| living, but their stencil is intolerable when
dead; and third, they devour and reduce
the number Of frogs. and hereby hangs a
tale.
Annually there descends upon Linkville
| and the surrounding country untold mill
lions of little creatures, resembling a frog,
| and about the size of a small one, which are
reminders of the biblical frogs of Egypt
| Where they come from no one seems 10
know, but it is probable that they come
from the rivers and lakes and klamath
marshes. Upon their arrival every door and
window has to be closed against them,
or they will invade the houses in count
less numbers and dispute possession of every
! part thereof, even to the bed. There is no
standing upon polteness at these times.
| The entrance to and exit from house is
done with instantaneous celebrity and a re-
sounding slam to the door which, under or
| binary circumstances. would betraY q
! accS,O ota "a
the town are full of them. And now the
snake takes his annual feast. And thus is
natures law Of supply and demand full
| filled