The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-05-13
FARMER PERKINS SNAKE TINE
4 CONNECTICUT PLANTERS EN-.
COUNTER WITH REPTILES.

ciroled Ey Three Black Constructors, ne
lad to white Them Off. Fought
Them Alone and Single BANDED.
From the Wiiliamantic Journal.
Daniel B. Perkins, farmer in Pleas
ant Valley, started for his work on Tues
day morning, when he was brought to a
stop by most unusual circumstance.
Across the little path and directly in
front of him lay three large snakes.
They were black snakes, and each one
was over six feet long, as subsequent
measure disclosed. The snakes we're
perfectly quiet. They had apparently
crawled out of their winter quarter in the
ground to welcome the spring, and were
lying exposed to the warm sunshine.
Mr.. Perkins rummaged around in the
woods and secured a stout stick and ad-
yan2ed to the attack The reptile near
est Mr.. Perkins was somewhat
smaller than the others, and Mr. Perkins
naturally selected him for his first vic
tim. He advanced to the attack and
struck the nearest snake sharply across
the back with his stick. Much to his
surprise the stick broke. The snake
struck Mr.. Perkins knee and rapidly
curled itself around his legs, using all it's
power to crush them. Mr.. Perkins had
noticed that the three snakes were all
adorned with white band about the
neck, the distinguishing mark of spe-
cially dangerous species that kill by ex-
erting a crushing pressure on their
prey.
Suddenly, while Mr. Perkins was
struggling with the snake, it gave low,
peculiar hiss, and Immediately the two
other snakes awoke from their torpor.
They looked around, and, seeing
Mr.. Perkins struggling with snake No.
1, they raised their heads and Kissed.
Then, after what seemed to be momen-
tary consultation, they squirmed over
the ground in haste to the assistance of
the snake with which Mr.. Perkins was
struggling, and jumped upon him, twin
ing themselves about his legs. Now.
indeed, Mr.. Perkins felt that he was in
great danger. The three great snakes
were entwined about his legs and trying
to work their way upwards. The bones
of his legs felt as if they were about to
be broken by the tremendous, pressure,
He knew that if the reptiles once got
above his waist the strength exerted bv
them would be sufficient to crush his vi
tails. Mr.. Perkins called out for help.
but the nearest house was mile away.
Fighting the snakes as we'll as he
could with one hand, Mr.. Perkins drew
from his trousers pocket a big rack
knife and managed to get the blade
open. Then he struck savagely at his
assailants. Plenty of blood few, but the
injuries inflicted upon his assailants
seemed, for time, to serve only to
make them more angry and desperate.
Ihey exerted greater strength and made
more frantic endeavors to pass above the
waist of Mr.. Perkins.
linen. Mr. PERKINS adopted heroic meas
ures. He realized that unless he killed
tle snakes they would kill him. He took
his jack-knife, and, taking the serpents
one by one, cut their heads off. Even
then the bodies chung to his person with
such strength that he was compelled to
cutthe bodies off, piece by piece, as he
unWound them from his legs. The BODY
OF each serpent was cut into three or
more pieces, BY heroic use of his
knife Mr.. Perkins at last freed himself
from tho tolls of the enemy.
he was in an exhausted condition.
ms shirt and Overalls had been torn in
tne struggle and SO soaked with the
blood of the snakes as to make their
further use an impossibility. Mr.. Per-
klns showed The shirt yesterday, and it
IS sight, being torn into sHreds and
covered with blood. The blood ran
down his shirt and overaIls into his
boots. After the battle Mr.. Perkins
gave up all idea of working and returned
nome. His nervous system had sus-
famed severe shock, and his legs were
oisck and blue as a result of the pressure
e&erted by the serpents.