The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-07-15
FOOD sERPENTs.oF DAKOTA.
The Spring Season of Snake Stories Has at
Last Set In.


Last Set In.
1t is not generally known that the
James river valley was once the home
of the only species of snake which ever
furnished an abundant and nutritious
supply of food for the use of man, says
an Aberdeen Is, d. correspondent.
Recent and most exhaustive investiga.
tion proves it to be true. This valley,
in which no snake is now found, was
once full of serpents called by the
Sioux Indians the food snake" by
reason of the size and delicious flavor
of its eggs. BY untold dozens these
eggs We're laid in pits followed out
of the soil for their reception. AS a
rule, the pits were from five to eight
| feet deep. eighteen inches in diameter,
| and contained from one hundred TO
| two hundred eggs snugly packed at
the bottom and covered over with dry
grass and leaves. The eggs were a lite
| tie larger than those of the domestic
| hen and more palatable, but deadly
poison. Many of the Sioux, tempted
| by hunger, died from eating them.
Often they were purposely exposed to
the discovery of invading enemies in
order that they should eat and die.
Not only were these eggs imbued with
poison, but they were equally peculiar
in that they remained fresh and pal
atable in all weathers for thirteen
years and We're finally Matched by the
cold of the winter and not the heat Of
summer.
Three hundred years ago Blue Goose,
n mighty chieftain, ruled the Sioux.
His wife discovered mixture which
was perfect antidote to the poison in
the eggs. The simplest washing in the
mixture rendered them perfectly whole
some. Blue Goose was Il lover of war.
He saw that by revealing the secret of
the antidote the hunting of buffalo,
then numerous, would largely cease,
and that the people, finding abundant
food in the snake eggs, would grow
indolent and less warlike. He there
fore formed council of seven discreet
women, most solemnly pledged to re-
tain among themselves the secret of the
antidote, and to use it only in times of
famine or of defeat in war. This coun-
ell was self-perpetuating and elected
new members as fast as vacancies oc-
Cured by death. Never was the secret
betrayed Indian tradition says that
seven times was the antidote used in
times of need, when pestilence swept
off the entire council almost at stroke
and the secret was lost. The race of
food snakes was never reconciled to
this loss and rapidly dwindled away.
They utterly disappeared about the
year 1920. 1t is interesting to note that
the last place ut which the snakes or
their nests We're found was in the timber
along the james river, at Rondeli, in
this county.-Minlea leapolis Journal.
A Difference of Opinion.
The nice young man who had applied
to the city editor for Il place on che
reportorial staff was more or less indc-
pendent, because his folks had money.
IL don't have to work, don't yols
know" he said, rather patronizingly
to the city editor.
The city editor looked him owe, care
lessly.
"You net your life you will, II you
expect to keep your job on this paper =
he said sharply, and gave the yonss
an assignment that was kept ON hsn1
Tor the purpose. petsoit Free Eyess