The morning times., 1896-08-09
SHAGGY MOUNTAIN FOLKS
dome of ICY" Sommers and
Ellen Jane, His Sister.
AT "RATTLESNAKE DEM
Know Nothing of the Outside World,
Hadn't Heard of the Conventions
and Repudiate Finance.

anu rocky pOrtlOnS Oh western Maryiduu,
where the dangerous RATHER holds way and
strikes terror to all save those who have
from childhood been accustomed to hearing
his shrill alarm, there come almost daily
stories OF en- counters with this reptile, whose
bite means almost certain death. Tourists
and others spending the summer in the
mountains tell narrowing stories of battles
with monster rattlers, and those who, after
such a conflict, bring back to civilization
the limp lifeless body OF q snake immedi
ately attain u position of superiority among
their friends.
On one of the highest spurs of Shaggy
Mountain, about six miles from Terra Alta,
W. Va, and eight miles from Oakland, Nd,
lives q family to whom the RATHER has
no terrors. For years they have waged
determined war against the ''varmints"
which infest the region about their home.
The reputation of this family as snake
hunters has spread beyond the narrow con-
fines of their mountain-top, says the Balti-
more Sum- and so interested have visitors
from the outside world become in the prim-
tive people, who live in a log hut, that
reporter was last week sent to pay visit
To old Josiah sommers and his family.
A DIFFICULT JOURNEY.
In order To fully appreciate the surround
ings of this primitive family, a descrip-
tion is necessary of the route which must
be taken TO reach their home and of the
manifold difficulties which must be over
come. The Jou rney is uncomfortable enough
at any time but at present, when the road
beds, such as they are, have been washed
away, leaving the swollen mountain streams
to be forded, one might well imagine him.
self in the Rockies before the light of CIV
ilization tipped its peaks instead of within
the borders of enlightened Maryland.
Leaving the railroad train al Terra Alta,
a horse and brake wagon were procured,
and, with guide, who himself got lost
before the end of the journey was reached.
Of nearly three miles, and then a ride be-
gan which needs to be taken to be thor
oughly appreciated.
Through underground SO dense that the
horse faltcred ana was induced To enter
only after vigorous application of ponder
ons whip, the difficult path lay. Once
through the underground, SO narrow was
the Unlicensed track that in many places
the wagon scrapai the sides of the boulders,
while at other points the perch pole of the
vehicle would stuke the ground, owing TO
the great gullies in which the wheels
had To run, they having been vastly deep
ened by the heavy rains.
FAR FROM CIVILIZATION
At several points travel became so haz-
nrdous that the occupants of the wagon had
To climb down from their seats and assist
farther up the mountain the ,iow journey
advanced the worse became the road and
the more difficult the obstacles TO be over
come. 1t WIS about an hour after such
travelling the first house appeared ON a
little plateau.
In the yard were several children, who,
startled at the unusual sight, fled into the
house likefrghteneda animals. The door was
promptly closed, as TO repel the invasion
of the strangers. Efforts were made to in
duce the inmates to come out of their hiding
place, but it was not until the visitors got
out Of the wagon and knocked at the door
thata wonnn appeared, who was appealed
to for direction to 'Cy'' Sommers' house.
Pointing through a window, she said, Its
up the mountain in Rattlesnake Dem
When she was told that the objectof the
visitor squestwast 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 neigbborbood."
"Lor," she exclaimed, ELLEN Jane
that's his sister-can lay him out every
year"
USELESSNESs OF MONEY.
Then she volunteered the information
that by taking down the bars and pass
ing through her yard considerable dis
tance might he saved. A boy whom she
called Charley was told to show the visit
ors through the place and to point out
the road which lead to Sommers' 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 au instant, he
said:
You'd better keep your money, mister:
faint 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 strangers,
as he positively refused to take the use
less money. Anhour or more OF the tedious
been reached by roundabout ways. the
visitors eyes fell upon the rude hut in |
which the Sommers family reside There |
being no roadway, it was necessary TO |
leave the vehicle on the mountain side about |
n quarter OF a mile from the house and |
complete the journey on foot.
Nearing the house, and seeing no human |
being, shout was given to attract the at |
tention of its occupants. There was an |
immediate response and three faces ap- |
peared, those OF a man and woman at the |
door and of a woman at the window.
''Is this Mr.. Sommers?" was asked, as |
the visitors approached the doorway.
This is Josiah Sommers," said the man |
''Who are you?" with a semblance of sus-
picIon in his tone. The reporter introduced |
himself and explained the object OF the |
visit. at which "Cy's'' manner changed com |
pletely, and he rendered his visitors cor |
dia welcome.
Standing in the doorway, old ICY" Som
mers presented u quaint picture. His |
clothes were of rough quality. but were |
scrupulously clean. A pair OF heavy bouts, |
into which his trousers were pushed, COW |
cred his feet. He was in his shirt sleeves. |
the collar being thrown back, showing q !
broad chest and n fine pair OF shoulders
Sommers face is a goo. = ce. betoken- |
Ing rrankDess in its every line. About his |
blue eyes and his mouth the lines are indic;,-
tive of courage and horse sense On his |
chin he wears short cropped beard, with |
the sides of his face clean shaven His |
blonde hair is pompadour.
The two women who had appeared at the |
door when the visitors came up had re-en- |
tered the house. They advanced- again In q |