The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-08
BATTLE OF
REPTILES
WHITNEY DESCRIBES A QUEER
CONFLICT AT LANEsBoRo.
Vigorous Opposition to the Order to
Remove the Orphans School from
Hartford Thrilling Tale of Little
August schmidt's Battle with the
American Bird of Freedom-News
Told-Brief Paragraphs.

Special TO the Scranton Tribune.
Susquehanna. Aug. 6. - Near the
Canawacta creek, in Lanesboro, a
water snake met a black snake on
Monday. The reptiles did not immedi-
ately clinch, but Kissed fercely and
circled around each other, as IL Seek
ing for an opening. The water snake
was much the smaller of the combat
ants, and he was evidently trying To
transfer the battle to the stream, some
twenty yards away. TIE black snake
showed lively anxiety to prevent this.
He pressed matters and the serpents
began to strike at each other and in
few seconds the dry land snake sue
ceeded in getting the tail Of his OPP
ponent into his mouth, and, to preclude
all ! ossibility of an escape, began to
eat oward the head.
This was exactly what the water
snake wanted. II started on straight
line for the stream and his consumer
following him and diving upon him
simultaneously. was. of course. obliged
TO, travel little faster in the same
direction. The water snake was rapid
mover. and the black snake quick
eater, and for short time it seemed
two would he visible when the stream
was gained.
About half of the leading serpents :
anatomy had been devoured. and the
edge of the water was only few feet
away. when the black snake suddenly
realized that a shabby trick was being
played upOn him at meal time. lie
hastily attempted to disGorGe his re-
past, but the effort was made too late
Not more than five inches of water
snake had been yielded up when both
reptiles plunged into the stream and
sank It once. 4 hundred bubbles arose,
and the only spectator of this unCanny
contest believes that the black snakes
life floated to the surface in one of
them.
THE SHORT OF IT.
The order of the state Soldiers Or
ohans' school commission, to remove
the pupils in the Hartford school to
other points, is meeting with vigorous
opposition herabouts. 1t would be a
change without an improvement. Let
the orphans alone.
1t is expected that the Republican
county convention, to be held at Mont
rose on Thursday, will be short, sharp
and decisive. 1t is probable that
boodleism will he knocked higher n the
kite of the late lamented Mr.. Gilderoy.
1t is said that certain politicians are
promising the state senatorship tn
half a dozen men in this county. They
cannot deliver the goods.
The preachers are enjoying their well
earned vacations. somehow. news
paper mcn-and, incidentally, The devil
take very few vacations.
IN SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
The flow of natural gas from the
Salt Springs section is still limited
Why don't the projectors run pipes
into the Montrosc newspaper offices
and be sure of a big supply?
According to a Forest city writer
in the Honesdale Independent. people
are moving away from Forest City be-
cause of the eXecrable condition of the
water in the borough.
The great Dmock camp meeting he
gins on Wednesday, August n, and
continues eight days.
The island in Taylor lake, Hartford,
has moved half mile from where it
stood for many years. In size ii is
b6x65 feet and contains a number of
fair sized trees.
Hard -shollod bugs are devourinC the
cucumber, squash and melon vines in
the county.
FOUGHT WITH AN EAGLE.
AS little August Schmidt. 10 years
old was playing with his sister ncar
Pleasant Mount, few days since, an
enormous American EAGLE pouncec
upon them, throwing the little girls
to the ground. The bird fastened hi,
claws into one of the arms and face Of
the younger girl ann attempted tc
carry the child off hut was prevented
by her struggles. Little August, see.
ing that he could do nothing with his
own hands, ran into the house anC
got a carving knife, and returning tC
the scene of battle, slashod at tn,
eagles legs, nearly severng one o
them. The eagle released the girl ant
attacked the boy, decorating him anC
tearing his clothes nearly off The
screams of the children attracted the
attention of the mother, who was a
neighbor's. She grabbed a hatche
and attacked the eagle, which flew
up on barn Joe Decker, a passinl
hunter, shot and killed the eagle, which
measured nearly eight feet from tip L
Tip OF wings. The children will re-
cover in few days.
FLATSAM AND JETSAM.
The Hartford fair will be held Sep
tember 25-26
Great preparations are being mad,
Tor the Free Methodist camp meetint
TO be held at Thompson this month
The court has appointed policemen L
keep order.
II was wise chap who recent,
wrote; ITO keep off strike is even
better than 10 call one of"
The Wayne county gold fields ar,
not even yielding excellent indlco
tions." The chief product of dear OF,
Wayne appears TO be kicking poll
ticians.
Near sherman, a 70-year-old lad ha
eloped with with miss of "A. An
other curiosity Of crime.
An Oakland township man met
neiShbor'S chickens on the highwa
and killed II. The slayer was admit
ted to bail for his appearance befor
the grand jury of the court.
Whitney