The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-10-12
A VISIT TO "RArTLEsNAKE DEN"


 This is the snake season, and from wild and rocky portions of western Ma ryland, where the dangerous rattler holds sway and strikes terror to all save those who have from childhood been accustomed to hearing his shriH alarm, there come almost daily stories of encounters with this reptile, whose bite means almost certain death. Tourists and others spending the sum mer in the mountains tell narrowing stories of battles with monster rattlers, and those who, after such conflict, bring back to civilization the limp, life less body of a snake, immediately at tain position of superiority among their friends.
 On one of the highest spurs of Snag- gy mountain, about six miles from Ter Ia Alta, w. Va, and eight miles from Oakland, Md, lives family to whom the rattler has no terrors. For years they have waged determined war against the "varmints' which infest the region about their home. The rep utation of this family as snake hunters has spread beyond the narrow confines of their mountain top and so interest ed have visitors from the outside world become in the primitive people. who live in a rude, log hut, that a reporter of the Sun was last week sent to pay visit to old Josiah Sommers and hls family
 In order to fully appreciate the sur roundings of this primitive family description is necessary of the route which must be taken to reach their home and of the manifold difficulties which must be overcome. The journey is uncomfortable enough at any time, but at present, when the roadbeds, such as they are, have been washed by floods and bridges have been carried away, leaving the swollen mountain streams to be forded, one might well imagine himself in the Rockies before the light of civilization tipped it's peaks instead of within the borders of en- frightened Maryland
 Leaving the railroad train at Terra Alta horse and d brake-wagon were procured and with a guide, who himself got lost before the end of the journey was reached, a turnpike road was trav eled for a distance of nearly three miles and then ride began which needs to be taken to be thoroughly appreciated.
 Through undergrowth so dense that the horse faltered and was induced to enter only after vigorous application of a ponderous whip, the difficult path lay. Once through the undergrowth. so narrow was the little-used track that in many places the wagon scraped the sides of the powders, while at other points the perch-pole of the vehicle would strike the ground, owing to the great gullies in which the wheels had to run, they having been vastly deep ened by the heavy rains
 At several points travel became so hazardous that the occupants of the wagon had to climb down from their seats and assist the baffied horse in picking out way. The farther up the mountain the slow journey advanced the worse became the road and the more difficult the obstacles to be over come It was about an hour after such travelling the first house appeared in a little plateau.
 In the yard were several children. who, startled by the unusual sight, fled into the house like frightened animals. The door was promptly closed as if to repel the invasion of the strangers. Efforts were made to induce the in mates to come out of their hiding place, but 1t was not until the visitors got out of the wagon and knocked at the door that a woman appeared, who was ap- pealed to for directions to "Cy" Som mers's house.
 Pointing through window, she said, Its up the mountain in Rattlesnake den.'
 When she was told that the object of the visitors quest was to see "Cy" Sommers, she said, with some surprise:
 What do you want to see him fer?"
 ''He has the reputation the visitors replied, "of being the champion snake killer of the neighborhood."
 Tor" she exclaimed Ellen Jane that's his sister-can lay him out every year!'
 Then she volunteered the information that by taking down the bars and pass ing through her yard considerable dis tance might be saved A boy whom she called Charley was told to show the visitors through the place and to point out the road which led to Sommer's S abode.
 When the lad had removed the bars and the wagon had passed through, a dime was rendered him as a reward
 Looking at the coin for an instant. he said:
 You'd better keep your money mis- ter 'tain't no good to we uns up here. Amt yer got no 'baccer?'
 Being unable to oblige him, his only reward was the thanks of the stran- gers, as he positively refused to take the useless money.
 An hour or more of the tedious jour ney, the top of the mountain having been reached by roundabout ways, the visitors eyes fell upon the rude hut in which the Sommers family reside. There being no roadway, 1t was neces- sary to leave the vehicle on the noun tain side, about a quarter of mile from the house, and complete the jour- ney on foot.
 Nearing the house. and seeing no liv- ing being, a shout was given to attract the attention of it's occupants. There was an immediate response, and three faces appeared, those of a man and wo- man at the door and of a woman at the window.
 'Is this MT. Sommers?" was asked as the visitors approached the doorway. This is Josiah Sommers,' said the man. ''Whc are you?" with a sem bIance of suspicion in his tone. The reporter introduced himself and ex- plained the object of the visit, at which