The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-01-28
NOT 1 MERE snake STORY.
4 COBRA DI GApELLO KILLED IN
CHARLESTON.
1t Escaped from a Circus Months
AGO and has been Seen Fre-
quentIy Abogt the Exposi-
tion Grounds.
1t Was 20 Feet Long, and in its Nest
Were Fourteen Young 0Hes.

4 huge snake, twenty feet long and
as thick as the average mans body,
was killed near the Exposition grounds
yesterday by q posse Of negroes and
white men, who had been looking for
it since early morning. The hideous
reptile escaped from the Forepaugh {,
Sells circus when it came to Charles
ton last October, and, although it has
been seen several times near the
Exposition grounds, where the circus
tent was spread, there has been a dis
position to shun its society, and all
accounts indicate that it has been liv-
ing very care-free life. A charge of
shot from a 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 wig
Cling 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, numer-
Gus in Hindostan. It's bite is about as
fatal as lightning and does its work
nearly as quickly. It 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 Ex-
position grounds have marvelled at the
strange and inexplicable disappearance
of the feathered population on their
premises. Chickens. ducks, geese, ali
went away in the night time and were
heard of no more. The grewsome
remains of 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 iolk.
Since Monday persons have been
looking for the reptile. When run to
earth yesterday it threw it's huge
length into coil, but did not mani
fest any alarming degree Of acerbity.
When struck with a stone, however, it
raised it's black hoodlike head and a
baleful light flashed in its little pro-
truding eyes. Then thick and fast it
was pelted with rocks andI clubs, and
its rage and numerous wounds caused
it to thrash around inss frightful
fashion. Suddenly it reared its head
again, Kissing and writhing, while
thick fluid dripped from its crooked
fangs. Darling it's head from side to
side, as if looking for victim, it
hurled itself out of its coil and struck
nadly at negro standing fully thirty
feet away. The leap the negro made
was measured afterward, butssit would
appear so improbable in type that per-
sons interested will have to content
themselves with speculating about
what could be accomplished in cover
ing magnificent distances in the cir
cumstances described. Quick as the
snake was, it missed the colored
man triRe less than a block, and
its sibilant manifestation of wild fury
caused it's assailants to retreat until
a gun could be secured. Apparent
ly uninjured by the attacks made
upon it the monstrous reptile with
ed and coiled itself in huge folds.
its black scaly skin glistening in the
sunlight. Then a load Of large shot
tore off its hideous hooded head and
it gave no further evidence of ami
mostly.
The dead snake and it's fourteen
offspring were buried together yester-
day and wien night came the citizens
in that neighborhood wrapped tie
draperies of their couches about them
and laid down to easeful slumbers.
News and Courier, Jan. 25.