The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-29
One Mans Snake Record.

There is a citizen Of Voldosta who has
had some startling experiences with
poisonous snakes during his life. He is
entirely responsible, does not like noto-
riety and seldom talks of his adventures
with reptiles, because he fears his recital
of them would not be believed, and he
does not care 10 figure as Munchausen
among snake story tellers.
Some time ago he was attracted by the
laughing Of child who was at play in
the front yard. Looking through the
window he discovered to his horror that
the child was playing with a great live
rattlesnake, which spsang its warning
rattle just as the child was rescued from
what would have been certain death.
AtaDother time recently, while wad-
ing in branch, he stepped on large
water moccasin, and narrowly escaped
being bitten, as he had crushed the body
Of the reptile and aroused it wrath. 1t
did show fight, however, chasing him to
dry land.
"0n still another OCCASION says this
hero Of many battles with snakes, Il had
cause to tramp all day with some COM
panions in a swamp, and it was during
snake time of the year. During that
day had the misfortune to step on as
many as three live and wriggling moe
casins at different times, but had the
good luck. as usual, TO get off without
having their poisonous fangs struck into
my flesh. No other one of the party had
any such close calls. 1t all fell to my
lot.
"At another time, while was push
ing my way througha thick and bOggy
swamp, one of my feet broke through
the moss covered mud, and it threw me
forward | caught at tussock just by
me, and threw my hand on large moe
easin. II fiinched, but did not move. |
was stuck in the mud, Its forked tongue
flashed in my face, l could not get up
without struggle, and / was afraid 10
make the effort, fearing that movement
on my part would bring a strike in the
face. held my breath, while my hand
went 10 my belt, and drew therefrom
pistol. In an instant l got in the first
blow, and the snakes head went off A
friend stood on a tussOck five feet away
watching the tragedy-in one act.
Recently was hunting cows in the
pine woods. rode mule. / was going
at slow lope. Suddenly the beast threw
It's head down with q snort, and plowed
the earth with both fore hoofs IN des-
perate to take up. went over the horn
ofthe saddle and astride Of the mules
neck, and would have pitched over his
head on the spot had not seized the
animals ears, one in each hand, as l
struggled wildly TO prevent fall. Ny
head and chest went full over its head,
but my grip on the long ears and my
feet locked around its neck end saved
me for the time.
beast regained its footing, and then be
gan backing and slamming me about
against brush and sspling, until / rolled
off on the ground. When l gained my
feet discovered large rattlesnake in
coil under palmetto bush. just in front
Of the spot where the mule made the des-
perate effort to stop, and if I had gone
over the animals head ! would have
fallen head foremost upon the deadly
reptile.
"Mcre wonderful to relate, a little
toddler who was burdened with my name
came across a rattler one day and picked
it up, and went around playing with it
until an older brother discovered the
child's peril and jerked it away from the
snake.-Aflaata Constitution.