The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-25
THEY;lTRAIN SNAKES.
HOW DON ALLEN AND HIS WIFE HAM,
DIE THE REPTILES.

OF the Mexican Snake Queen-StOries and
Sights That Were Enough to Make Ones
Flesh Crawl"
Moored at the river bank, facing Car
rollton, is a small green houseboat, flying
the flag of Spain. Nothing about the YES
sci would indicate that il was in any wise
different from any other boat of it's kind
floating on the surface of the yellow Mis-
sissippi. Appearances are sometimes de-
ceiving, and SO they are in this case.
Aboard Of the little green houseboat dwells
Senior Don Allen and his wife, the latter
best known as Laura Lee, the Mexican
snake queen. For many years past the
couple have been engaged in the danger
Gus vocation of capturing snakes and either
converting them into oil or making pets
of the reptiles and then disposing of them
to shows and museums.
Upon invitation Of Mr.. Allen reporter
crossed the high levee, and walking gin
gerly over the gangplank entered the float
ing residence Of the serpent charmers, and
seated upon the top Of high stool listen
ed to an interesting and graphic descrip-
ton Of snakes in general and upon the
means and methods pursued by Senior
Allen and his wife In making captives
and pets Of these reptiles. Mr.. Allen and
his wife sell the snakes to universities and
to manufacturers for their skins. This is
their business, and they make a living by
1t.
Mr.. Allen prefaeed his remarks by say
ing that of all the snakes to DO found in
the United States but three of the families
of the reptiles could properly be classed
as deadly" "Yet" said the catcher,
''these families comprise about 80 species,
distributed as follows: Rattlesnake, 7;
cottonmouths, 8; copperheads, II, the two
latter being moccasins and jewellers in
swamps and low places. OF course there
are many snakes which possess the power
of injecting irritating poisons into the
blood of the persons they bite but the
wound, while painful, is not fatal. Now,
/ have been bitten eight times by snakes
belonging to the classes or families men
toned. Yet, while these reptiles are ex-
tremely dangerous to life, am here yet.
1 don't profess to consider the. matter Of
being bitten by a RATHER or a cottonmouth
an event to be treated lightly, for l have
seen too many persons die from this cause.
"Some months ago up the river had
been handling batch of snakes, and
when finished placed them in their box.
One of the large rattlers raised his head,
as FASH he drew back his head, and be-
fore / could withdraw my hand he had
pierced the back with both fangs, the teeth
going in up to tho gums
"That was a-batf Bite" said the don,
land suffered greatly for several hours.
My wife was present at the time, and when
the thing occurred she grasped my hand,
and placing the wounded part in her
mouth sucked portion of the venom
therefrom."
"Were you ever bitten?' queried the re-
porter, turning TO Mrs. Allen, who, by
the way, is an extremely intelligent and
comely woman.
"Only once" answered the lady. 81
have been accustomed for many years to
handle snakes, and I have never had the
slightest fear Yet ! am always careful
not to anger the reptiles or treat them
any way but gently.
Not so very long ago number of
gentlemen came to the boat and requested
ms to show them my pets. I was glad to
do so and exhibited them for short time,
dwelling upon their virtues and praising
their intelligence. Railways train one snake
at least to kiss me when tell it to- and
the snake on this occasion was a cottons
mouth. I told it to kiss me- which it did,
but it suddenly darted its head against my
iace' Hooi ieVf'Sf teh IVY, tor ice ianes
struck my noses picrpipg the cartilage
clear into the nostrils, causing it to bleed
inside
II called to my husband that was bit
ten, and he fastened to apply the RENE
ules. IN 'eh inihu.es'7 noweNer, my Eyes
were c,oseu anu iace pauiy s"olieh. Doo,
oors were SEW ior' puI my nusuan" olu
i'ii Inc uoctoring' nnu, aienouen ! was
Nery sich' puiieu .nrougn:
Ihe peculiarly OF shePoisohs, ohiineu
IN che aon, IS thaI 1he venom Oh rao1ie-
snake ac1s "a INC pioou' ohao Vi ohe oop-
peinosu ~ eno noivous sseoen' anu ~. .no
POISON VI ohe coe.onlhouen p0raiyAe' 'ho
nerve cenoers anu 1ne near'.
Ny pan VI capvure IS oA.relneiy SIN
PIE All siiahes, Juso, pelore sney spIins
away upon 1Io app.oaoh oi hui, 81 nesi Iva
LOT nolleno anu ne pgfleoliy SUN. Inns
IS my opppr'uhl.y anu sraep ~ anu nlie
LINES LINES. ouo ol teil ms slaAes1lip as wei.
rrae.ioo naAes perieo.' anu l. hase peen
az 40 ions linz = la.vie sls ~noh
Pursueu ooiis anu IS re''uy ~ ueiehu nm
sell ! up s'one Ut, snlaii piece VI s,ioh
az hihi' ne unooiis alu s'arpe on puy oe.
iuio no ot''i "sa'n oo'i nave "iih ''"oN u
'hu Meoh;
NO. use ho s'icA' Noehihe ou' my
na'i f.H 1s-.--.,
=. ou may ia aug Wy Mnen I .eii you
ohao our shthe ioie ceaolieS us not 10 NUM-
Mne, .he VIM ~ Ia .ho nor .Il A'e -
"o w. We my ~ sn''h1s. 2 gam eiio sishs
H..