West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-05-21
THE BOSS SNAKE STORY.
VI Summers and Leeye Dbrton Rele.
gated TO The Rear


gated TO The Rear
Here is q snake story from the
West that knocks out all the liars
and snake champions in this part
OF The country. We refer the mat
TER to Hennery Morgan Of the Posi-
Tor further investigation.
"ln Central Dakota, on the "Mis
sonri Bottoms," there exists o,re Of
natures strongest freaks. The set.
tiers term it the pump snake"
Flow ~ came there aud where il
came from is yet unknown. It first
made its appearance in Emrnons
county. in tho spring of 1889. A
iullgrown pumpsnake measures
about l6 feet in length and about
inches IN diameter. They are of
gregarious habits. roaming the
prairie IN large herds, as many as
5000 have been counted in single
flock. In dissecting one of these
reptiles there is found a tube which
extends from the roof of the law to
the extremity Of the tail, and termi.
mating in an opening. This tube is
aboat two inches IN diameter, and
lined with tough, yielding sub
stance, similar to rubber. The
pump snake is easily trained to-
answer the call of man. A farm
er on Cat Tail Greek has a flock of
twenty pump snakes trained to a
remarkable degree of proficiency.
At the blast of whistle the snakes
assem- bic on the banks of the creek.
The leader (there IS always leader
TO heard of these snakes, who is
elected by two thirds mojority)
dashes into the water of the creek,
leaving only the extremity of its
tall or the bank. Another snake
immediately grasps the end of the
leaders, tafl in his jaw, a third
snake takes hold of the second
snakes taIl in similar manner.
and so on until there is contin-
nous line of snakes jointed end on
extending to the water troughs in
the cattle yards, 800 feet away.
The leading snake commences to
swallow or pump the waters of the
creek which passes through the long
line of snakes as it would through
hose, and falls In heavy stream
into the troughs.
This agriculturist told of an ex-
traoydinary circumstance which oc-
Cured a short time ago. While
working in the Geld near his home
ne observed flames issuing from the
roof of his barn. Wild with OK.
element he hurried TO the burning
building, only to see that it was a
hopeless task for himself alone to
attempt to e1tinguish the flames.
In despair he gazed OH the work of
destruction; suddenly he heard
loud rafting in the tail grass.
whence issued his herd of pump
snakes on the run. The leader
hurled himself into the creek, the
rest instantly adjusted themselves,
heads and tails, from the creek to
the burning building. The last
snake, standing OH its head, waived
the water where 1t would do the
most good, while the loud pumping
OF the leader could be heard above
Che roar of the cou1agration. With.
IN fifteen minutes the last spark
was out. Then, aud not until then,
did the pump snakes quit work.
They were completely exhausted,
the leader having tainted away.
The main part Of the building and
It's con'ents were saved, thanks to
The presence Of mind Of these won
derful snsbes.
Fhe Territorial Government is
becoming awakened to the extreme
usefulness Of these interesting crea.
lures, and laws are TO be enacted TO
protect the pump sDske."
Woansoa a 80. g.v