New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17
A NIGHT AMONG TARANTTLAS.
THE HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF TRAY
ELIER IN A BANANA CAR.
St. Joseph MOI correspondence OF The 81. IouI
Globe Democrat

St. Joseph (Mo) correspondence OF The 81. Louis
Occupying "A stateroom in Pullman car on the
southbound Missouri Pacific limited last nign'
attention both OF the tranmen and their fellow
passengers. The lady had evidently not .ct
reached the age of twoscore years and WAS strin-
insly beautiful. while her companion. upon whom
she lavshed wifes tenderl; devotion might nay,
been either thirty sixty years old If one was TO
Judge from his face. upon which were mingled In
dications OF youth and extrere age That were AZ
once perpiexing and mystifyns. HIS eyes were
large. dark and iustrous, his complexion clear.
though deadly pale sharp lines d ,hnya his $
Quick. nervous movement Of head and hands that
suggested palsy. Those who were permitted 20 near
this mans strange story ceased to wonder that
his countenance was furrowed as by age and mar
yelled that he lived to relate his horrible expert
ence.
His name is James Payne and he is a resident
Of Parkersburg. w. Va. where his family is we'll
to-do and highly respected. Two months ago h,
started for the Pacific Coast, Intending to invesi-
gate the business opportunities OF that region
He purchased a ticket for seattle and being we'll
supplied with money anticipated an enjoyable trip
On the train between Green River and Pocatello
his pockets were picked. and money; ticket ana
graph home for money. having no money and de-
ermned to make his WAY through by the
a westbound special pulled in In which were sew
eral fruit cars Congratulating himself that he
might now speedily reach his destination ne climbed
and prepared to make himself as c9mfortsaple. az
the door which it appeared had been broken open
b. tramps was closed and sealed but this did not
az the time occasion any serious alarm on his part
The car proved TO have been loaded with bananas.
to some OF which he was glad TO help himself.
3 o Tea nn in R He then on
himself to sleep These fruit specials s genera ~
be doing and when the passenger awoke WIN a
start few hours later II was 70 find himself IN
Egyptian darkness with the train flying along with
terrific speed. He had been aroused from his sleep
by something having soft. velvety touch creep
to see what had disturbed him. To his horror he
saw several large tarantulas. which, In his OK
nary land turtles Startled by the light they sour
riei away. while his blood ran cold and his limbs
were almost paralyzed the pickering match died
out and he realized the position in which he was
placed. nth, ...
match even II his trembling hands would have
performed that service but he knew that he was
from the door of the car meant certain death
and the probability of his Fate remaining forever
mystery TO the loved ones at home. VINE these these
thoughts darsd hrongh his b mnd and fod 9bn hay
his time had come, he tainted.
Il flow long he lay unconscious he does not know,
but when he again came to life 1t was ,s broad DAY
He tried the door. and almost tainted when he
found that 1t was fastened and that ne was doomed
suffer hours longer the prospect OF an attack AT
any instant from the hideoqs creaures WHOSE
that penetrated the cracks OF the door enabled
him to dimly the objects about him ta and the
cold ion Gr9k out , a ms Seors and
saw that their number had been trebled lie looked
"A for loose board ana fOund a Sfnal one.
hut knew If he was attacked the tarantuas would
leap at him. and that he could not ward them off.
His apprehension was increased when he saw that
they had engaged in one Of those fearful and
deadly combats among themselves for which they
are so well known in the South. and by which they
furnish TO the natives about the same class OF
amusement as the horse race and the bull tight.
For hours he sat there. facing those dreadful
creatures. which neither advanced nor retreatcd.
Then night came one. and again he was mercifuily
rendered unconscious.
When next he knew what was going on about
him he was on a cot I'm hospital In Portland. He
had been there "A month. and had gone through
weIlnigh fatal attack OF brain fever Meantime the
authorities having discovered his identity from his
derious talk. had telegraphed to his people. and
the Young woman he was TO marry fastened TO his
bedside He had not been found until the ear was
opened at its destination when he was unconscious
and raying like maniac. \ mark in his forehead
Indicated that he had in reality been bitten by
tarantula probably when he tainted the second
time As soon he was able 10 travel he started
for home by easy stages. first having married the
ha ndsome and devoted woman who had joined him
under such peculiar circumstances His hysician
saws that he will in time recover his health and
strength although he Will never get over the effects
of his awful encounter with the terrible tarantu,as
I'm the blackness of the banana car and Will never
look cluster OF that fruit again without
ehtIdder