The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-11-22
VISION OF SNAKES
San Francisco Woman Mortified
by Stories of Reptiles.
Boa Constructors, Rattlesnakes and
OoEen Other Kinds Of Serpents
Seen by Citizens II Hysterical
Stories Can Be Believed.

San Francisco-Boa constructors,
water snakes. gopher snakes, black
snakes, rattlesnakes, garter snakes
and a dozen other varieties of the rep
tile family have been seen in and
about Parnassus Heights during the
last week, if the hysterical stories re-
lated by saucer-eyed citizens of that
section are to be believed.
Rumor has it that king cobra was
killed at the end of Stanyan street,
and, further, that rock python, mea-
surfing from four to twenty-nine feet in
length, gave battle to an army OF resi-
dents in Woodland avenue and es-
| capped into Sutro forest after having
Rugged three men. The python was
said to be female.
Patient investigation, however, dis
closes that the rumors are somewhat
exaggerated, but that, like many
rumors, they have foundation in
truth. A rattler, carrying ten rattles
and button, was killed in Sturo for
est the other day by John Pedlina,
after it had almost frightened Mrs.
L. 7. Cranz and her daughter, who re-
side in Belmont avenue, into Mysteries.
And the venomous snake measured
five feet eight inches in length. as any
one can verify by calling at the Park
museum, where the reptile rests in
alcohol. 81.
Also two big blacksnakes, Of q
variety unknown to the sober citizens
of the district, have been encountered
and overcome within the last week IL
Stanyan street. Each measured ovel
six feet in length, as likewise can be
proven by communicating with A
Guyton, carpenttr. who has earned
the title, among residents of Parnas
/. sus Heights, of "the snake scharmer.
Guyton killed one of the reptiles ant
, Snakes" Miller, plasterer, captured
and imprisoned the other.
Al Now, these three serpents we're al
subdued within an area of less thai
600 square feet and near the residenc'
of DR.. o. G. Joslen in Woodland ave
nue.. The doctors neighbors say tina
S the monsters escaped from captivit
n in his back yard, where they were be
J. ing held prisoners, but this the med
cal man stoutly denies. His wife II
sists that the last of their pets died
year ago, and the doctor declares the
e passed away some four months age
2. Both insist that no snakes ever e'
capped from them, but that all wer
gathered in by the grim reaper.
However, the snakes have been Ell
countered and slaughtered amid col
n siderable hysteria among the wome
j citizens. and not few quakings anon
the men.
D. l.. Westover, owner of a hous
now in process of repair at 1851 Sta
ai yam street, rewarded Snakes" Mile
~ a plasterer employed on the buildin
of with one dollar for killing the six-fo
e, biacksnake found in the front yard
to Westover frequently inspected h
h. dwelling, but has not been seen theI
1t is said, within the last few day
John Herman, contractor on the bull
ing, is displaying great haste in !
IT. pairing the structure. and his 'carpe
Dr. ter, AL Guyton, who caught one of t
re. reptiles alive, is working feverishly
oh side him. Where the serpents car
from is somewhat of a mystery. tn
they really appeared Is certain.