The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-08

TAINTED ny mrs NEIGHBORS ~
X CENEYYTLLE, PI.
Accused OF Importing Rnttesnakes Into
the Town 10 Drive Away summer Wis.
itors-Hls House and Barns burned on
Three successive Saturday NIGHTS.

Accused OF Importing Rattle snakes Into
the Town 10 DrIve Away summer Vi--
itOrs-Hls House and Barns burned on
Three Successive Saturday Nights.
. BISGHAMToN, Dec. GA peculiar neighbour
hood quarrel, which has eliminated in the
burning, one by one, OF tho several buildings on
the farm Zone OF the parties to the feud, has
created much excitement in the neighborhood
of Brackneyvilie. a farming village among tho
Pennsylvania hills about nine miles south OF
this city. Brackneyville Is the trading centre In
summer of several pleasure resorts. patronized
largely by exclusive Binghamton society, and
during the hot summer and throughout the fall
fishing season the sleepy little village wakes no
to greet the daily stages from this city
and to provide any provisions that the cot
tagers of Silver, Quaker, and Mud lakes may
need when they come In after their mail. Aside
from thedozen residences, about tho sam num-
Der of deserted homes, q general store and the
blacksmith shop, there is the ruin of a once
prosperous tannery which the nearness of the
hemlock forests and the abundant water power
furnished by a dam in Little Snake Creek, the
outlet of Quaker Lake. made at one time a reg
ular bonanza, and whose palmy days Jaw
the rise of the weather-beaten old viii
lage, which the summer pleasure hunt
ers found quietly fading away when the
exodus to the charming little lakes which
surround II first began. Naturally the viii
layers and the vicinity farmers were not slow
in extending to their short-term neighbors an
extremely cordial reception. With true thrift
born of the long-continued struggle to pry q
living from between the stones which to a
stranger appear to cover tho greater part or the
fields. they made the most OF the trade which
the lake colonists had to bestow. 1t was new
life for " Brackney.' and it was appreciated.
1t was this patronage. which meant moro than
millions spent in a great city. that led to the
burning on three successive Saturday nights of
the hay barn. cattle barn, and house OF Martin
Saint Clair. a wealthy bachelor. who. II is said,
holds mortgages on the greater part Of the
farms of his neighbors, and whose eccentric
conduct has always been tho subject OF much
comment. Saint Clair has always been we'll
supplied with funds, and seemed always willing
to make loans on frst and second and at times
even third MORTGAGES. though in several in
properties have, been out of all proportion
TO their value. He shows. moreover. n strange
OF whom he has closed up on foreclosure at the
earliest opportunity after the first default in
the interest. while others, who cannot explain
the difference themselves. he allows to hold
their homesteads and continue to borrow money
Of eIn ta sineF t esEe h of ,b seiGpp nhiis eysa the SNT ens &C
ms neighoors has the least knowledge of
down ddS It on Ii p pressS. Pft aTm About 11 went, WIS sSt yenr;
ago. Living but a short distance from tho
village. he naturally saw much of the sum-
mer tratic. but never seemed to notice IL as un-
usual till late this summer, when he is said to
have called on many of his nelghbors and talked
Intrusion" Naturally his remarks did not mees
thought to be but a passing whim. People said
he vas showing in this peculiar manner
Siass plum nI efazy.a ;" The enc old G MAN dFeppps aai his Ii;
Ono day he came down TO the black smith shop
and ordered a large box that would fit on his
bought q quantity of fine brass netting. which he
placed in the sides and cover of his box. Several
bottom OF the ARRANGEMENT, and the village wits
said That the old man must have broken q lot
his new egg carrier" One evening he drove down %ns
70 the smithy with his great farm wagon and
own = horse. and none knew where he bought
his mules, for they were always of the same
color col a peculiar yeIlowish bay; which earned
blond quadrille." He put his box in the
Vas = ,o and d. haying ARRANGED the springs so
been made to carry nitro-glycerine drove away.
Neighbors say that he started from mis- home
early the next morning and was seen travelling
south over the rough mountain roads with his
odd combination.
1t was nearly two weeks before he reappeared
at the old farm, He came down to the village
one evening. ard for the first time in his history
the store. and before going home he invited
everybody TO come up to his place the following
morning. 1t was an unusual performance. and
OF course everybody was on hand the next day
shortly after breakfast. At about 8 O'clock
81 Clair TOOK the crowd out to the farm. where
stood the eGg-carr!er wagon. Mounting the big
vehicle he asked the blacksmith and the
had brought home with him from Pike county.
Their curiosity was soon satisfied. and they
through the cover Of the box. The entire in
side of the box was alive with hundreds of large
believe their eyes. but the address st. Clair de- e
ltvered. standing there on the seat OF his
wagon was he strangess part Of the proceed:
lnR. tB DT.H1y rfStRHHI thR al n ms ar snlnniaf
question from his standpoint. and said
tnat as he could not get his ncighbors to act
with him In the matter he had taken it into his
own hands; that now he proposed to turn loose
his box full OF venom. and that by next spring
there would be enough rattlers around this
part OF tic country to keep away any Of those
robbers Of our summer peace" The majority
that the old bachelor had a screw loose. and
after everybody had gazed at the wrltnine
store TO discuss This latest freak of their neigh
Dor. His talk about turning loose the reptiles
grim joke; 1t was not ill WITHIN a month that
some OF the village children were frightened
which one Of the boys declared was as large as
his body, that any serious thought was taken
three large ~rattlers wero killed within n mile of
the village, and a party was delegated TO go up to
any foundation for the natural suspicion that
he was Responsible for the appearance of the
when he was questioned by the ommitt for
he showed them the snake box empty. and his
only reLlark was tnat ne guessed those sum
mer folks wouldn't stay long if they did come
next summer. |
There was a sensation in the village. and
word was brought to this city. Where the
greater number OF the cottages on the several
lakes are owned. The story was not credited
till il was confirmed by n party Of gentlemen
who investigated II while on a trip TO Quaker
for The winter, and incidentally to do a little
t%hooting, When they arrived st. Clair had
been gone for about a week, with the ayowed
purpose OF bringing back another load OF
snakes. On their return TO this city one of the
number engacsd counsel and went to Montrose
and swore out a Sherlff's warrant for the arrest
OF 81. Clair on his return. 1t seems. however,
that some Of the residents of Brackney had
taken matters into their own hands, and the
rattlesnaks ex psdition returned home the night
before the barn containing the wagon, box.
snakes. aud mules had been burned. Although
there conlld have been no other explanation OF
the fire than that II was OF incehdiary origin
there was no attempt to apprehend the tirebug.
During the following week sixteen snakes
were killed in the surrounding hills, the Sus-
Quehanna County Sportsmen's Club offering a
bounty for the skins and rattles. The hunt has
I.nrl - Yn nuaH aI,un. n-l - 4 .I-... .I,--.