Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-01-07

hOufl-~Sulucb iot~v~ H@ttsos'-
Probably the oldest occupation ever
followed by man is that of an old Ten
nessean who lives about three miles
north of here in the Ozark Mountains,
says Gainesville Mo- letter to the
Cincinnati Inquirer. II Is George
Jaynes, or as he Is known in this neigh
borhood, "Snaky George" Jaynes
came here from the mountains Of Tonnes
see 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 various drug
gists 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, aud il was not
long before Jaynes saw that if he went
at it right he had n bonanza in the bust
ness. He looked about and found piece
of rocky land on the south side of the
mountain, which was utterly worthless
as far as agriculture was concerned. He
entered this land as homestead, and be-
gan improving il in most peculiar way.
Instead of clearing off the rocks he tried
to get more there, aud soon he had built
a verituble snakes retreat The hillside
was honeycombed with holes, and every
thing that snake could desire to make
life pleasure was added to the spot.
While he had entered 160 acres, he only
utilized about forty of them. He builta
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 companionship with them.
Having arranged his farm TO his salts
faction, he set about getting inhabitants
for the place. In this he experienced
little trouble, for tho hills abounded with
the reptiles, and he knew how TO catch
aud handle them without danger. His
daily excursions were taken with the view
of bringing home new resident for his
farm. and his live stock increased with
wonderful speed. About forf years aSo
he completed his work o. stocking his
place, and now he is reaping the benefit
of his acumen. SNAKES are everywhere
on the place, and On warm day the
sight on the nj. back of the house would
give drinking man the impression that
che had 'em again" Rattlesnakes Of oil
sizes and conditions are seen lying around
in profusion or crawling over the rocks,
squirming and twisting in heaps, while
the deadly whirr of the rattles makes
music which strikes terror to the heart
of one unaccustomed TO the situation.
Above all is that terribly nauseating odor
which fills the whole air and drives away
any one not accustomed TO such an Of
fensive scent.
'Shaky George" estimates that there
are 10000 full grown rattlesnakes on the
place. and saws 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
and are full of oil. They are getting
ready 10 90 into winter quarters, ard are
in prime condition. His method of catch
ing them is simple. He has fed them in
certain clearer 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 he can use
and kills them. He then takes the bodies
to his house, whence he throws them into
caldron and renders out the oil. This
he packs in heavy bottles and ships to
various wholesale druggists over the
country, it being used in the preparation
of various liniments.
One good-sized rattler will make pint
of oil, and this brings $3.50 or nets
Jaynes about dollar after all expenses
of rendering, bottling, and shipping are
paid