The Washington times., 1894-07-08
tIs Said That the Reptile Mas Found
in q Tree.
BOA CONSTRUCTOR TELLS TALE
He Intimates That He W as the Victim Of
Fake" Escspe-The Strange Things he
Saw in the Sewers of the City-Toothless
Fangless, and Altogether Harmless.

|
beautifully worked out last night
THE TINES failed to be caught by the chat
of the advertisement in the first instance
would not bite at the palpable fake story Of
the lost snake, which was most awkwardly
arranged after the manner of elephant
walking-up-three-pa e-pairs-of-stairs story in a
small house in New York and taking
possession of poor woman's kitchen,
or the more recent ''lon" advertis-
ing scheme which was sprung upon gull
able public in that city, in the second instance;
and last night a Times reporter exposed to the
intense amusement. not unmingled with dis
gust, Of large crowd who had heard the
weli-rehearsed story of the snakes alleged
capture. the transparency Of the fake and its
purpose.
The snake which is alleged to have escaped
down sewer. and for whose capture in
good condition" an alleged reward of S25
was publicly offered, was said to have been
captured ''iust at dark" last night by a man
who gave his name as Robert Tirnbers, and
his address as No. Ill Virginia avenue. and
who says he is employed by the United States
Fish Commission. The snake story sequel as
told by the man who says his name is Tim
bers is that the snake was up a tree. and
Timbers, who by pure chance had lasso in
his pocket, captured the snake and put him
in sack, which. by mere accident, he had in
another pocket of his vest Timbers. accord
ing TO his own story. carried the l9-ioot boa
constructor all the way from the flats. between
the old observatory and Seventeenth street.
to the snakes alleged original home on
Pennsylvania avenue near the Treasury build
ing without being seen by single soul ex-
cepting colored man who says his name is
William S. Webster. and that his home Is at
No. GIG Third street southwest. s-1 .rra
SNAKE Up A TREE.
This colored man is alleged to have seen
the snake up the tree. but he is not very sure
on that point himself. He refused 10 state
positively tina. he had ever seen the snake
before he it was in the store. He was quite
positive that he would not swear to it unless
he was well paid.
The reporter asked the man. who said his
name was Timbers. if he would go before q
notary public and swear. to his statement.
He was not willing TO do so. The reporter
asked him if he had received the reward
promised in the three-line advertise
ment. At first he said he had.
When asked to show the money.
he said: Il have not got the money. bnt
Mr.. - gave me his note and will pay it on
Monday" Tne reporter asked to see the
note and then the man. who said his name
was TimbeTs admitted that he had made
misstatement when he said he had received a
note. He finally admitted that his whole
story was snake story. So much for the
fake; now for snake story as told by the
snake. -..55 .,.lei,, rf "A
The reporter had an interview with the
snake later in the evening. The snake said
that the story as published about his .'escap-
ing was in the main correct, but the reporter
who wrote it up from the advertisement had
made some slight errors.
Il do not mean to say" said Mr.. Nineteen
Feet Boa Constructor, that the reporter
erred but that he may have been misin-
formed on some minor points"
Would YOU mind, Mr.. b. c. said the re-
porter, telling me the particulars of your
escape yoursel?'
Is the boss around?" queried the n F. B. C.
in reply.
Upon being assured that the boss was not
within earshot the n F. B. c. said. Certainly
not. I'd just as lief tell you. but please don't
rse my name, If you print the story, rs the
boss will surely make it warm for me if You
do
The reporter gave an equivocal prom
ise
well. what do you want to know?" asked
the snake.
Upon being informed by The TIMES man,
this is what Mr. n. F. B. Constructor said:
Il was the youngest OF i-ll-ii children and
am the only one OF the family now alive. My
were intimately ac-
quainted with Mr.. and Mrs. Noah. They were |
in the dark you know"
The reporter had to shut the snake Off on |
his pedigree and request him to get down to |
the time OF his escape.
..Escape?'' said the snake; .'is that what /
you call it? ''W SUI 70 ."nH1
'Well, it was this way: I hoatd nv bbss
and this is what ne thought:
rhought he TO himself. Here am with this
blooming big \. l. Z. C. on my hands. and
what am TO do with him? Business is dull,
snake food is high, and circuses are not max
ing any additions to their menageries. I'll
drop him down sewer. put in a 10-cent ad.
offering a reward for his return. and then he
winked the other eye and whispered To him
self something p. I. Barnum once said.
Well, l needn't try to tell you how felt.
led to creep into my skin and disippear,
,ut sure enough he pushed me down a sewer
NEW SEWER SYSTEM NIFpED.. .6.a vs.I
"Uhr' said his snakeship, III should say
you need a new sewer system"
''Why?" calculated the reporter.
''The smellsl the sights the -. 1t
couldn't get back. you know. tbs, hole was
.overed up-I tied my tail over my nostrIls
Ind gave a prrity good imitation Of NV
riend the huopsnake and 'hooped' it until
ound place
But said tho reporter. ''you are said to
,e nineteen ieet long and would make
ircle twice as big as the sewer you were in
"What do You want. said his snakesiiip.
you are not after facts. are yop? II 50. try
lext door The reporter supsiled.
BEGINNING where l ieit or" continued the
!. F. b. c.. II go, 10 place where the air
vas purer. and found l was under big hole
I must have led from hotel Tor I saw SILVER
poons. knives, forks, and all sorts of table
ware"
Nothing very valuable;r asserted the ques-
ioHer.
Mot, eh? Well maybe you've been through
sewer, or maybe you think / hayent. IT,
neered the n. +. B. c. "Why, young tei-
DIV, I've got cache down there flied with
ilverware, goldware. diamonds. greenbacks.
nd say, when lease this joint lam going TO
..ther up my wealth, go West and run for
u. -rg 81
The reporter smiled and the snake at once
OF huffy and said: a.
"Say. this amt circus" rf
Tell me how you got back here" the
uestioner persisted.
FINALLY" he continued, 81 got out on the
lais. where that fellow saws he caught me-
climbed tree, stuck my tail up in the air
nd struck up Hail Columbia TO attract at
,ntion. Then along came those two men,
nd l begged them to capture me. take me
ack and get the reward They refused to :
o this until told TimDers l had no teeth. /
len informed him he had lasso in his
atch pocket and big sack in his fob and
lat he could carry me back as easy as roll ,
ig of log"
Grandson of Brigham Young.
NP-