Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-01-16
For the Worlds Fair.

Al lU0 west state street. JoCNeoH-
vile, Fla. resides Silas Foman. a cop
per-colored fellow about FIVE feet
eight inches in height, broad shoul-
dered and open faced. He is a good
dresser, and proud Of collar and cuffs
and belts of rattlesnake skins. The
home in which Foman resides is an
unpretentious one. and there Is moth
ing about il that suggests II Is the
residence of the most famous snake
charmer in the world, and that in the
rear ward is one OF the finest collec-
tions OF poisonous "creepin things
in America. In stout but tamateurish-
ly constructed cages are magnificent
rattlesnake., huge moccasins, the
deadly zepher and the vicious coach
whip. besides scores Of less promi-
nent members Of the serpent family.
Foman is a. much at home with
these shiny creatures as is father
with his children. He handles them
at will and with the utmost conf
dence. The creatures do not appear
afraid of him, yet submit in passive
sort OF way TO his manipulations.
Tuesday, December 80. Foman left
for the everglades, where he proposes
to secure a collection OF snakes for
the Worlds Fair that will surpass in
numbers, variety, perfectness and
deadliness anything that the world
has ever known. Foman tells n story
OF his life in these words;
Il am a native Of Hayti and have
been in this country seventeen years
A few years ago | determined TO en-
gage exclusively in the snake bust
mess. In my childhood my parents
would crafty me 10y permitting me
TO have a snake a. n companion. aud
a. grew older | became fonder of
these reptiles, and always delighted
in making them q study. ! would
sometimes get bit by them, but my
father has remedy that would soon
heal the wound. In 1888, while IN
Lee county, near the everglades, i
captured a snake which was shipped
TO New York. | was paid seventy
dollars, and | have been following
the business ever since. On all rat
tlesnnkes four feet long aud over
realize from twenty-five 10 nifty dol
lars each.
The smaller snakes generally my
self use for the manufacture OF my
snake oil, which will cure any rheu-
matism or neuralgia in existence. |
learned this from the Seminole In
dinns. When | first went among
them ! was crippled with rheuma-
tism. and was great sufferer / was
comp letely restored in few days 10y
the application OF rattIesnake oil.
Before Pablo Beach was thorough
" settled | caught hundreds OF
snakes in that vicinity, but the
largest and best quality OF rattle
snakes to be found in this country
are at Fort George Island, at the ST.
Johns river. The snakes at this
place are very gentle. and can be
easily tanned. Last month | succeed
ed in capturing forty-four snakes
there, and was only bit eight times
/ have secured FROM the Seminole In
dians a fluid that use when bitten,
and with il the bite OF the rattle
snake, or in fact any other snake, is
no more serious than the bite OF
mosquito"
A few days ago Foman gave an eH-
hibition OF his process OF snake
catching to number OF New York
ers. He has small dog trained 10
point snakes. Accompanied by IL the
party proceeded to where rnttlers
were likely TO be found. II was fully
an hour before the dog obtained
clew and began barking; finally he
dropped, and pointed his tail straight
into the air. The snake eharmer ran
to the spot, and by the use OF mirror
attached TO stick ten feet long he
gradually drew the snake until with
in arms reach. when he reached out
and secured tile reptile, not, how
ever, without the faDgs penetrating
his right hand He applied his anti
dote, and smiIingly requested the re-
porter to take a bite" TOO, which
was empbatically refused.
Returning home the snake cbarmer
took out piece Of red silk, shook II
in front OF the reptile, which with its
deadly fangs penetrated IL. silas
then jerked the silk violently away,
and the fangs were removed.
The rattlesnake.n continued the
snake charmer, sheds its skin twice
a year. and at that time II becomes
perfectly blind, is helpless and easily
captured At this stage they are a.
sisted by nurse or pilot, who guards
and protects them. This guard il the
young king snakes. The king
snake. when it becomes grown, how
ever. il the first enemy the rattle
snake has, and can easily kill them iD
combat. ! have seen rattlesnake Zee
ing from the old king snake 20 the
Young king snake for protection.