New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-29
4 RATTLESNliKE ElRM-

From The Philadelphia Record; Gainesville OIo)
dispatch.
Probably the oldest occupation ever followed by
man /, that OF an old Tennessetan who lives about
three miles north OF here in the Ozark Mountains.
II Is George Jaynes, or. as he is known in this
from the mountains of Tennessee several year, ago,
aud followed the occupation of hunting for living
lie never got very much ahead, but managed to exc
out good living for himself by the sale OF game and
skins.
lie brought with him from his old home the art of
making snake oil and sold several pns during each
TO the various druggists in this part OF the State
and always got good price for It, as II was OF an
excellent quality. TIE rocks OF the ozark Mountains
abound with rattlesnakeS and it was not long before
Jaynes that II he went ut 1t right he had bonanza
In the business. lie looked about and found piece
of rocky land on the south side OF the mountain,
which was utterly worthless a' far rs agriculture was
lie entered this land as homestead, and began
improving 1t In a most peculiar way. Instead Of
clearing OFF the rocks, he tried to get there, and
soon he had built veritab1 snakes retreat. The
hillside was hol cycombed nth holes, and everything
that snake could desire to make life pleasure was
added TO the spot While he had entered 100 acres
he only utilized about forty OF them. lie built n
house Of stone, but cemened It thoroughly inside and
out, for, while lie made living OF of snakes he did
not care 10 have too close companlonshp with them
Having arranged his farm TO his satisfaction, he set
about getting Inhabitants for the place i1 this he
the reptiles and lie knew how to catch and handle
them without dan danger His daily excursions weIe
for his farm and his estock increased with wonder
full speed.
stockin9 his place, and now he Is reapng the benefit
OF his acumen. Snakes are everywhere ON the place,
and o q warm day the sight on the hills back OF the
house would give drinking man the impression that
he had 'em again. Ruttesnakes Of all sizes and
conditions lying around In profuson or crawl
ing the rocks, squrming and twisting In heaps
willie the deadly whIrr of the rattle makes music
which strikes terror to the heart OF unaccustomed
10 the situation. Above all Is that terribly
nauseating odor which ills the whole air and drives
away one not accustomed to such offensive scent.
"snaky George estimates that there are 10000
fulgrown ratesnakes the place, and says that he
kills an OF 1000 every season. He only
hills them during the months Of september and Octo
Der, for then they the latest and full OF OIL
They are getting ready TO go into winter quarters
and In prime condition. His method OF catching
them Is simple.
lie has fed them In u certain cleared spot ever
since they have been the place, and they now come
there regularly. When he wants To begin work he
stands elevated rock the place, and with
sllp-noosc Of wire catches many "a he can use
and Hills them. lie then takes the bodies 10 his
house. where he throws them into "a cauldron ard
renders ont the oil This he packs IN heavy bottles
and ships To various Wholesale druggists throughout
Che country II being used In the preparation OF various
lniments
one good sized mttcr will make pint Of oil,
and this brings ~ so pint. nets Jaynes about al
after all expenses OF rendering botting and shipping
are paid