The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-04
FOUGHT TWO FIERCE ROUNDS.
Lively Combat Between a Blacksnake
and Massachusetts Farmer


This is the extraordinary story of a
fight man with cart whip had with
l5-foOt blacksnake. Moreover, the
story is true, for it comes from the lips
of Henry Peters, a respectable and
trustworthy son of Massachusetts,
whose farm is at East Brookfield.
Peters weighs more than 200 pounds,
IS strong as lion and can hold a man
over his head with one hand Yet
Peters, with his cart whip, was una Die
to Vanquish the snake. The serpent
not only showed the most astonishing
agility, but showed that it had genuine
courage and could fight like a eornered
panther. 1t gave Mr.. Peters the pref
test tussel for points history has prob
ably ever known. 1t is to be added
that after two fierce rounds the fight
ended in draw, with both contestants
thoroughly winded.
Peters had occasion to go into the
strip of woods that skirts his farm and
separates it from North Brooktield. He
had not been there long when he heard
a tremendous thrashing in the under
brush Thinking perhaps a COW had eS-
capped from his pasture, he advanced
and was almost paralyzed with fear
and establishment when he saw an
enormous blacksnake rear up it's ugly
head over the top of a quivering bush.
Peters looked around for some weapon
of defence, but finding none, turned and
fled to his barn, where he snatched up
a heavy cart whip from a nail and
scurried back to the woods. He thought
it would be great fun to cut the snake
into mincemeat with the sharp lash
The snake had not escaped upon the
reapproach of Peters, but had opinions
| of it's own in relation to the impending
| combat. 1t coiled itself into huge
| mass in an opening near tree and as
| stunned a defensive position. FiguratVe-
ly, its guard was up in minute. With
Wide-Open mouth, glittering eyes and
wickedly darting fangs, it was any
thing but an inspiring picture, and
when Peters rolled up his right sleeve
| and swung the whip through the air he
| rightly calculated he would have all
the fun he wanted.
Swish! the whip shot through the air
and caught the snake around the head.
1t was like miniature crack of light
ming For an instant the snake Wavered
Then, like a huge kissing rocket 1t
shot forward and made a lunge at Pet
ers. The young farmer stepped aside
instantly and escaped the blow. Before
the serpent could recover its balance
Peters had again given it terrific welt
with the whip.
Beyond singing and maddening the
snake. the whip did not have the slight
est effect on the reptile, for its skin
was tougher than HarveyiZed steel.
Like a thing possessed, the reptile beat
the bushes frantically and essayed 10
give Peters a knockout blow. The
young farmer rained blow after blow
upon the craZed creature, and once was
| sent sprawling to the ground Before
| he could get on his feet the snake had
| seized him around the waist and was
endeavoring, python-like, to crush
| him. 1t was now Peters turn to strug-
! gle and this he did with all his might.
Fortunately the snake made no at
| tempt to bite him, 1t tried to crush
him. Peters wriggled loose and jumped
| behind the tree. At the first oppor-
| tunity he reversed his whip and gave
| the reptile an awful blow on the neck
| with the butt end of the whip
Down in a heap went the snake and
| Peters was certain he had knocked ii
completely out. But he was mistaken.
| The snake was up almost Immediately
and after the farmer again. Peters
| leaped aside. tented with his whip, and
! the snake, carried by the force of a red
hot lunge landed into the bushes on
the right. Then ii backed out into the
| open and glared at Peters. The farmer
was getting winded. He leaned against
! the tree and contemplated the snake
/ with increasing wonder. The reptile
shook with anger and WEAKNESS. but
made no attempt to renew the battle,
which had for ten minutes been 50
| fferCely fought After a short rest
! Peters again attacked the snake. The
| fight became as furious as al its start,
| but did not last long. for the two con-
| teStants were too tired to keep up the
| battle. Peters turned and started
! homewari, while the snake, overcome
| by exhaustion, sank in the underground.
! The next day Peters visited the place
| with a bear trap, which he baited and
set. He said it was no use trying to
catch the snake with anything but a