New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-27
SNAKE SCARED EVERYBODY.
Entered Farmhouse and Went to Sleep in
Stove
From the Indianapolis Star.

From the Indianapolis Star.
Henry Gilman. of shelbyviIle. an ex-county
auditor. had thrilling experience with a large
blacksnake while in Brown County a few days
ago, and while in pursuit OF the monster came
losing his life by the accidental discharge
of a double barrelled shotgun.
Mr.. Gilman travels in the interest Of an Indt-
annapolis firm and visits about all OF the county
seats in the state few days ago he found
himself in Nashville, Brown County, and while
there he decided 10 visit an old friend, Charles
Agnes. who lives a few miles in the country.
Driving to the Agnes home Mr.. Gilman
cepted an invitation to spend the night with his
friend.
an upstairs room. The house. which is a new
one. having just been completed. is two stories
and modern in its construction.
On retiring Mr.. Gilman decided that the fumes
OF fresh paint were a little too strong, so he
got up and lowered an upper sash Of one OF the
windows. Throwing himself again into bed, MS
thoughts naturally turned TO his business, and
while picturing the good business in store for
him on the following day he gradually lost
consciousness, and. to use Mr.. Oltman's express
sion, he was soon sleeping every foot OF the
road" How long he slept he is unable to state.
but he remembers distinctly OF being aroused
by a dull. heavy thud. Sitting up IN bed and
peering into the darkness. everything was as
quiet as death itself. Not even the ruffiing OF
leaf could be heard from large tree that
stood the window. Dropping back on his
pillow he tried to sleep, but he could not. He
turned and twisted, reversed his pillow and
tried again to sleep. but without success.
Finally he decided TO investigate. and getting
up he lighted the lamp. AS he glanced TO the
opposite side of the room he beheld sight that
fairly frOze the blood in his veins. On the floor
not three feet from his bed a great mass
of something coiled up that resenbled several
sections of fire hose. Out OF the centre. stand
ing erect, with glstening eyes and Kissing
tongue was the head Of huge snake. Oltmans
shrieks for help had awakened Agnes who oc-
cupied a room downstairs. and also son, who
was sleeping in an adjoining room to Oltman's-
In less time than 1t takes to describe il the two
men had Joined Gilman and were planning
attack. when the snake glided quickly 70 the
stairway and down the steps. followed some dis
lance by the men. When near the foot OF the
stairway Agnes called TO his wife to hand him
shotgun. Mrs. Agnes, fearing to open the door
that opened into the stairway. climbed upon
chair and handed the gun through the transom,
woman like. muzzle first Agnes reached for the
gun, and as he drew it over the transOIn one OF
tne MANNERS caught on the racing, exploding
the she'll, and the charge passed through Olt-
mans night robe grazing his side. and lodged In
the wall
Armed with the gun with one load remaining
the three followed after the snake At the
foot OF the stairs door that opened into
the kitchen, the only avenue Of escape for the
huge monster Upon reaching the kitchen the
snake place in sight Every nook and
corner was carefully searched. but his snake
ship had disappeared as mysteriously as it had
appeared. The search was renewed again and
again, with the same result. Mrs. Agnes finally
ventured out OF her room and declared there
had been snake within a mile OF the house.
AS the day was breaking Mr.. Agnes built
fire in the cook stove. The men seated them
selves on the porch and engaged themselves in
conversation awaiting the morning meal.
Presently they were attracted to the kitchen
/ by the shrieks Of Mrs. Agnes. The three men
/ fastened to the room and reached the door just
in time TO see the missing snake creeping out OF
the oven Of the cOokstOve, the door of which was
standing open about six inches The heat from
the recently built fire IN the stove had made the
/ hiding place uncomfortable for the huge reptile.
/ The snake finally killed and measured D
/ feet 80 inches
Upon investigation there was discovered a
| hollow in the tree that stood within a few feet
/ Of the house. A large limb of the tree had been
/ cut partially away when the house was built.
/ The end OF the limb extended within foot OF
I = Ia Sb In rHa VIM Ovv hat ATr "a j
lowered in the room he occupied upon retiring
/ the evening before. The only solution OF this
[ mystery was that the snake had entered the
| hollow tree, crept up TO an opening near the
| limb, followed the limb to the window and then
! dropped into the room it's heavy fall awakening
| Gilman. The travelling says he Is not look
| ing for another such experience