Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-05-27
A Metropolitan Snake Tale.

Below we reprod uce from the
Charleston News and Courier won
derful snake story; but we are not
vouching for any part of its truth.
Nevertheless the story is well told,
and will no doubt prove interesting
to those of The Courier's readers who
care to believe it, and may stimulate
some local Munchausen to vie with
the News and Courier's disciple of
Ananias in recounting some "true
story" of the snakes common in Oco-
nee at this time. The following ac-
count was published some months
ago by our esteemed contemporary :
TIE STORY.
A huge snake, twenty feet long
and as thick as the average mans
body, was killed near the exposition
grounds yesterday by a posse of
negroes and white men, who had
been looking for it since early morn
ing. The hideous reptile escaped
from the Forepaugh and Sells circus
when il came to Charleston last
October, and, although it has been
seen several times near the exposi-
tion grounds, where the circus tent
was spread, there has been dispo-
sition to shun it's society, and all
accounts indicate that it has been
living n very care-free life. A
charge of shot from breech- loading
gun and a vigorous bombardment
with sticks and stones ended the
existence of the reptile and calmed
the fears of many persons living
thereabouts. The bed of the snake
was found near where it was killed
and fourteen wiggling young ones
were crawling about on the pile of
trash and dry grass. They were all
about two feet in length and were
put to death on the spot. The dead
snake is of the species known as the
cobra di capello, numerous in Hindo-
stan. It's bite is about as fatal as
lightning and does it's work nearly
as quickly. 1t will not use its fangs,
however, unless attacked, and it is
the serpent commonly employed by
the snake charmers of India. They
prefer it because of its amiable char
acteristics and its susceptibility of
kind treatment. For weeks persons
living near the exposition grounds
have marvelled at the strange and
inexplicable disappearance of the
feathered population on their prem
ises. Chickens, ducks, geese, all
went away in the night time and
were heard of no more. The grew
some remains of a departed hen,
found near the corner of Race and
King streets, was the clue that led
to the conviction of the serpent,
which escaped months ago from the
circus folks. Since Monday persons
have been looking for the reptile.
When run to earth yesterday it
threw its huge length into a coil, but
did not manifest any alarming de-
gree of acerbity. When struck with
stone, however, il raised its black
hood-like head and a baleful light
flashed in its little protruding eyes.
Then thick and fast it was peited
with rocks and clubs, and its rage
and numerous wounds caused it to
thrash around in frightful fashion.
Suddenly it reared itsD head again,
kissing and wrthing, while a thick
fluid dripped from its crooked fangs.
Darling its head from side to side,
as if looking for victim, it hurled
itself out of it's coil and struck madly
at negro standing fully thirty feet
away. The leap the negro made was
measured afterward, but it would
appear so improbable in type that
persons interested will have to con-
tent themselves by speculating about
what could be accomplished in Gov
eriDg magnificent distances in the
circumstances described. Quick as
the snake was, it missed the colored
man trifle less than block, and
It's sibilant manifestation of wild fury
caused its assailants to retreat until
a gun could be secured. Apparently
uninjured by the attacks made upon
1t the monstrous reptile writhed and
coiled itself in huge folds, its black,
scaly skin glistening in the sunlight.
Then load of large shot tore off it's
hideous hooded head and it gave no
further evidence of animosity. The
dead snake and its fourteen off
spring were buried together and
when night came the citizens in that
neighborhood wrapped the draperies
of their couches about them and laid
down to easeful slumbers.
n.