Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-13
DUBOIS SNAKE STORY.
He Relates an Adventure of Col. Ster-
lit at the WOodmOnt Club.

He Relates an Adventure of Col. Ster-
lit at the WOOdmOnt Club.
This is a snake story" said Senator Du-
bois to a Star writer. You are not, how
ever, to infer anything from it derogatory
to my character as sober. truthful man.
You may or you may not know that am
a member Of the Woodmont Hunting and
Fishing Club. A very successful feature Oh
the club is Col William Greene Steritt,
who is also a member. The other day Col
Steritt and 1 repaired to Woodmont to fish
for bass. The water was too muddy IN the
Potomac, and we turned our attention to
the canal. We caught several bass; but that
was not the snake point I was getting to-
While we were industriously whipping the
canal we noticed on the opposite side, where
stone wall was built as part Of the canal
lock, number of snakes, who were pro-
truding their heads from between the
stones, and evidently taking great interest
in our fishing.
MY imagination may have added to the
collection, but l should say there were at
least two hundred snakes, who had ieIt
their ordinary avocations as 1t were, TO
watch Col. Steritt and me fish, what IN
terest they took in our hunt for black bass
can't see; but they were very steady ana
attentive witnesses. All We could see OF
them was their heads, and these stuck out
from the cracks and assures between the
stones so numerously as to make the wall
fairly bristle with them. and gave the view
on the other side from us very serpen-
tine effect. indeed.
"At last Steritt concluded to catch one
If he could, and so inaugurate fly fishing
for water snakes. He went across to the
opposite side of the canal and dropped his
hook over the face of the wall in front of
this grand stand of snakes. They seemed
very eager to get at the bait, and half
dozen hung themselves out into the air
fully two feet, making desperate efforts TO
!, J., frn1- hold rn1
times, but Col. Steritt was never able to
fasten the hook in their mouths. They
didn't seem to take hold in the right way.
Il stood opposite and coached Col. Steritt
in his snake fishing, and observing one fine.
fat burgomaster of snake taking an In
terest in his bait, besought him to let the
snake have his own way and fasten him.
self. Under my directions he allowed the
game to feed himself. In about minute,
having gotten the hook well down his
throat, Col Steritt struck Then ensued
great struggle. The water snake curled his
earth, and compelled Col Steritt to bend
his fishing rod fairly double before he
started him.
HE came very slowly even then. making
a great filibuster and contesting every inch.
Little by little however, he was pulled
free from the rocks. During the progress
of the combat between Col. Steritt and the
water snake the other snakes looked on in
amazement. not to say horror. They
couldn't understand the game. which. while
it was too many for them. nevertheless
filed them with dismay.
"At last the victim was yanked out into
the air. where he thrashed around the end
Of Col. Steritt's tackle and twisted himself
into all sorts Of figure Fights. Brief as the
spectacle was. it settled the question with
all the other snakes. They withdrew their
heads, and never a one Of them has been
seen since. Col Steritt took club and
killed his prey and essayed to fish for more,
but, bait as he might, and vile he ever so
guilefully, he couldn't get another bite. Col.
Steritt now announces himself as the cham
pion snake fisherman of the Woodmont
Club. AS for myself. 1 haven't done any,
thing but dream Of all sorts of snakes.
from the deadly cobra to the common gar
ter snake, ever since"