The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-04
THE WILD D0INGS
OF A BIG BLACK SNAKE

:, Leaped on Miss Cronin, Of Upper
{ Canaan Street, and Wound It's
wriggling Body Around Her Arm.
The Endangered Woman Rescued
by John Proctor, Who Made a
Timely Appearance on the Scene.
The Snake Captured, and on Exhi-
bition as Proof of the Thrilling
Story.
: II every suggestion of a snake story
Sas not met with a shrug Of the shout
ders and deprecating laugh, that ex-
press ones doubt and incredulity more
forcibly than a long-winded GRAFTON. 1t
would not be at all necessary to make
the preface to this story. that the
thrilling tale that is to follow can be
verified by some of Carbondale's most
reputable citizens, whose reputation for
truth and veracity is not only not ques-
tionable, but is well established.
1t seems almost weird to speak OF
black snakes in the Carbondale Of to-
day, but this story, which is all but
, solemnly affirmed, Is the most thrill
ing tale, perhaps, of wriggling serpents
that has. ever been related and sub
stantiated. in this section of the coun-
try.
On Saturday evening, about o'clock
while Miss Katie Cronin was returning
to her home from the village or settle
ment at the end of upper Canaan
street, she was spell-bound on seeing a
snake, a black snake, it's head wrig-
Cling through the fence enclosing the
property owned by John Proctor and
located on Canaan street.
Miss Crcnin was transfiXed with fear.
In an instant the serpent was prepar-
ing to spring at her. Before her sense
of self preservation could manifest IT.
self, his black snakeship, which had
coiled itself, it's head two feet from the
ground, leaped at her. The paralysis
of fear that seized her made her as inn
movable and as rigid as statue. The
snake landed on her shoulder, and it's
wriggling body was coilng it's folds
about her upper body in almost a
twinklinE.
Miss Cronin was on the verge of col
lapse. when John Proctor, neighbor
happened along from work. He scarce
ly knew how to approach the danger
surrounded woman to rescue her.
Cautiously stealing up behind, he
grabbed the snake by the tail and
the head. 1t was Il daring, but plucky
chance that he took. lie had but little
hope of being successful but his cour-
age and fearlessness were happily well
rewarded The snake was bound like
wire around Miss Cronin's arm and
shoulder. 1t required a fearful grip
and strenuous effort to cause the en-
ragged reptile to relax it's hold. Mr.
Proctor finally succeeded, and with the
snake firmly in his grasp he made for
the house. He has an incubator, by
which he matches hundreds of chickens
and ducks during the year. He had this
In mind, together with the preservation
of the snake as a trophy and with the
assistance of his son, Harry Proctor,
his snakeship was safely Gagged in the
incubator, in the portion where he can
be observed through the glass front.
The snake is monster. 1t measures
eight feet, four and one-quarter inches.
1t is still in Mr.. Proctor's possession
and can be seen at the Proctor home,
where it seems to enjoy life in it's mar
row, though comfortable quarters.
On Sunday, residents of the Fifth and
Sixth wards visited the Proctor home
by the score. until one of the 'facetious
remarked that there We're as many
present as at the Wallace side show
The Proctor home is In the Fifth
ward, the. last house on Canaan street,
within the city limits. The incredulous
and skeptic will be welcomed.
Yesterday the snake consumed three
gallons of water and ate frog for his
dinner. a','-1-.',