Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-01-28

A Man Made Helpless by Rattle
snake.

snake.
j. W. Felts. prominent and reliable
citizen Of the county of Chatham, Tenn.
relates the following extraordinary story
of the influence exerted upon him by a
rattlesnake a short time ago
Il started out one day, in company
with colored man, to cut some timber
having a measuring pole in hand, the
negro carrying an axe. After time we
separated, and had not gone far before
noticed large rattlesnake in the path
ahead of me. Apparently we discovered
each other about the same time, and both
stopped. My first thought was to kill
the reptile, but he at once threw himself
into coil aud | concluded, rs the space.
around was open and not fearing his es-
cape, to wait and see what the snake
would do. | was soon intently watch
ing his movements. He cut up more
antics than had ever seen performed bv
snake. To me it was picture calcu-
lated to attract and rivet attention, aud
my purpose of destruction was soon for
gotten.
Ere | was aware Of it | stood, or
rather stopped, spcllbound as if trans
fixed to the spot without the power of
speaking or moving, save in obedience
to the will OF my captor. felt the dis
lance between us continually lessening,
and, although | was conscious of my
perilous position, | seemed powerless to
change it, and what may seem to be more
strange, had no desire TO do so, only to
approach nearer the object that under
different circumstances would have been
one of terror rather than attraction. I
knew we were gradually nearing each
other, but how | could not tell, not being
conscious of moving, and the snake
seemed to occupy the same position re-
latively rs at first. | only know that in
the beginning stood erect, now | wus
in kneeling position, my body inclin-
ing forward, my right hand extended,
gradually nearing the snake, not in
straight line, but oseillating, and at each
movement lessening the distance From
the first moment that caught the eyes
of the reptile there seemed line extend
ing from each of his eyes to mine about
the size of ordinary sewing thread,
which seemed to exert power over mo
sufficient to hold me and make me sub
servient to his will
"lIow. long remained in this position
| know not. The colored man becoming
uneasy at my prolonged absence com
menced calling me. | could distinctly
hear him, but had no power to answer.
Finally, searching for me he found me in
the attitude described. He again called
TO me- but as before paid no attention
10 him. Then he came nearer and dis
covered the huge reptile within a few
feet of me, coIed for the deadly spring,
my right hand within few inches of his
mouth, each gazing intently into the
others eyes. lie comprehended the stu
alton at once took hold of me violently
and threw me backward from the snake,
thus partially breaking the spell. No
effort was made by the snake to escape
The negro at once killed the snake,
while | all the time was begging him
not to do so. 1t measured about feet
in length and IA inches in circumference
and had eight rattlcs.
II was so completely under the in
fuence of the snake that | could not
shake it off, nor, in fact, had any dis
position to do so. The hallucination
was not only pleasant but celebrating,
and there was only lacking one undehn-
able something's could not tell what.
but it seemed almost within my grasp
to make my happiness complete. So,
powerful was the effect upon my system
that ! was stricken down with severe
spell of sickness"