Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-12-02
HAS A FARM FOR SNAKES.
Town Of Fazbor,, Mass, Boasts
Both Jag Cure and Ser
pent Hatchery.
CITIZENS ENTER PROTEST.
But Proprietor of Snakery TRANQUILITY
Raises Children and Wrigglers
in His Home.


real, are seen in Foxboro. Mass. than III
yet Cyrus j. Brownell Of Worcester pro-
POSES to add to the number by establish
ing there snake farm which will be the
only one of its kind in New England
There are several reasons why
Browneil chose FOXboro for the location
of his novel farm, principally among
them the fact that in every place that
he considered us possible location pro-
tests poured i'll and trouble was threat
ened. Ii may :. be, however, that he
learned of the large number of snakes
that are reported TO he seen nightly
prowling about the corridors and rooms
of the state institution for dipsomaniacs
and thought that he would be able to
catch stock for his work more easily
there than elsewhere.
Not a Welcome Industry.
Since Mr.. Brownell received his first
consignment of snakes, II short time ago,
he has had constant trouble. The neigh
bors did not like the thought of several
hundred of the venOmous reptiles being
loose III rooom, or even in Il box in an
adjoining house, and every influence was
brought to bear on him to take his pets
elsewhere.
Westboro and then Grafton ANA North
Grafton were suggested to the snake
man as being spots where his snakes
could have the quiet necessary for sue
cessful accomplishment of his purpose
Of getting Il large supply of snake oil.
but it was soon evident that the inhab-
itants of those places did not like snakes
any better than did his Worcester neigh
bOrS.
Then came Edward II. Williams of
Beach street, FOXbOro, who conducts a
large poultry farm, and he told Brown
ell he was not bit afraid of snakes
that he really thought he would like
them for neighbors, and would give him
acreage for a nominal rent of 81. So
the snakes will make their home in Fox
boro.
Snake Lover Family.
The purpose of the novel business is
to raise the reptiles to get snake oil.
which is not only considered very effec-
tive in curing muscular troubles, but
commands a high price in the market
Brownell appreciated this, and so went
down south. caught some snakes him
self, and made arrangements to have
Others sent him from time to time.
Shipments have been received recently
by him, until he says he has 100 rep
tiles OF four species-adders, bulls, pines
and rattlers., Where they are located
he does not say, but he did have in a
box i'll his home about forty of the adj
ders and pines that he said were sick
snakes suffering from sore mouths.
Mrs. BrOwnell also has a pet of her
own, which she is fond of in the shape
of good sized RATHER. She says that
she is particularly attracted to it be-
cause it is one of the crossest and most
cranky ones they have.
Some Sizeable Serpents.
The largest snake in the collection is
a bull about twelve feet long. The rat
tiers run from five to five and one-half
feet in length. The Virginia rattlefs are
smaller than the Pennsylvania velvet
back, while the Florida rattlers run
much longer than either.
The larger the snake the greater the
amount OF oil that can be gotten from
It. One of Brownelfs king snakes a
short time ago started a fight with two
Of the females and in order to save the
females, Brownell had to kill the king.
lie measured over twelve feet. and from
him the snake man got thirty-six sacs of
the oil.
One of the large adders got loose
while being carried in Il bag in front of
the city hall in Worcester recently and
there was quite a commotion as the
animal wriggled its way around the
plaza. 1t was caught without damage
being done, but BrOwneil had to appear
in court because of the incident few
days later lie was promptly dis.
charged by the judge.
Immured in Catacombs.
AS a home for the snakes that will an
swer for winter as we'll as summer a pit
about IS feet deep and $40 long by 10
feet wide will be dug. If rocky bottom
can be secured it viii be the most ac-
oeptahle. Otherwise the bottom will be
concreted.
On it liens" will be constructed that
will resemble catacombs. These will be
covered with dirt to the level of the
ground. leaving small hole which will
admit of the snakes coming out in warm
Gather into yard or run which win
be inclosed by wire screening eight feet
high.
Brownell has four pretty children. who
run about the house where the snakes
are. and apparently fear them no more
than do their father and mother.
Runs Restaurant Trusting Everybody.