The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-10
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Susquehanna, June 9.-John Winkler
of Little Equinauk, Wayne county, Pa,
stepped on board Of an Erie railroad
train at Harkns, n. Y, last night
carrying large bag and phonograph,
He was carefully depositing the bag
and phonograph in one seat, anc then
proceeded to make himself comfortable
in another seat. One or two curious
passengers asked John if the bag con-
tained cells.
"Wa-al, hardly" replied John, as he
gave the bag a gentle shake. Instantly
there came from the interior of the bag
a dull hiss, followed by brisk, almost
deafening rafting. While the fright
ened passengers retreated to a safe dis
tance, Winkler explained the bag con-
tanned twenty-five rattlesnakes and
two blacksnakes, the entire outfit
weighing sixteen pounds.
Winkler had been in the vicinity of
Harkins for a weeks snake hunt
among the hills. He is the successor
to the late famous John Geer, the Long
Eddy snake hunter and charmer, who
IN his day captured and killed thou
sands of rattlesnakes and formulated
an antdote for snake bites.
Winkler earns a good living by SELL
ing rattlesnakes at dollar a foot to
proprietors of museums in Philadel-
phia and New York, and to naturaliSts
all over the country. He also sells the
oils and skins of the snakes. The oils
go to a Philadelphia specialist, who
manufactures a specific for rneuma-
tism, and the skins are sold to manu-
facturers of ladies purses and novel
ties.
In his trips Johns outfit consists of
a big bag, a bottle of chooform, and a
long stick with a hook attached. He
runs the stick into the hole, pulls out
u Kissing rattler, and, after pinning
him to the ground he extracts his fangs
and throws him into the bag. June is
a good month to capture snakes. Their
skins are very beautiful, and they are
comparatively tame. In August they
shed their skins, and they are blind,
dormant and very savage.
Last season Winkler captured 466 rat
tlesnakes. He has been bitten many
times, but he has a sovereign balm for
the poison. Asked if he carried alCng
the phonograph to charm the snakes,
John replied: "No, I play for the boys
in the hogels at night, and the collec-
tion helps pay expenses.
THE NEWS RECORD.
The board of education has decided
not to engage Professor Hazlett j.
Risk the able and popular principal of
the public schools, for another year
His successor has not yet been selectd
Susie Graham, who skipped her bal
and fled to Norwich, N. Y, was or
Thursday morning taken to Montrose
Jail by Chief of Police Thomas j. Nc
Mahon.
John Buckley is still in the Tioea
county Jail, in Owego, awaiting extra
dtion to this state.
The headless remains of the very
young infant found in the river last
Saturday evening, after being exam
ined by the proper authorities, were in.
tered. The identity of the parents OF
the fioatlet will probably remain con-
undrum forever and a day.
Erie Hose company's fair closed or
Tuesday evening. 1t was a success
financially and otherwise. The gross
receipts were over 81 300.
A force of men are at working laying
pipes, etc, for the new LanesborC
Water company Carbondale capital
lists will furnish the essential lucre.
The Binghamton district Methodist
Episcopal Ministerial association held 6
we'll attended and very interesting
meeting in this place on Monday and
Tuesday. Next session in Binghamton
BILLS" PRESS NOTICES.
Landlord "Bill" Leach, the Ararat
tramp annihilator, is a Republican
candidate for sheriff of this county. He
is getting some nice press notices. The
following are samples:
William Leach, of Ararat, who van
quished gang of tramps at that place
a short time since. announces that he
will be a candidate for sheriff of Sus-
quehanna county. William should make
a James Dandy.-Stroudsbur Times.
William Leach, the resolute citizen