New-York tribune., 1909-05-31
GET "a RATTLESNAKES
HUNT Il GREAT SUCCESS.
Schaghhcoke Club Members Bag q
Record Number of Serpents.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]

Bridgeport Conn. May so-The sixth annual
rattlesnake drive of the Schaghtcoke Kattlesnake
Club held to-day at South Kent 1t was the
most successful hunt ever held by the club twenty
four rattlesnakes. varying in length from two 70
four feet, being taken.
About thirty hunters. attred in rattlesnake hunt
ing attire, which consists principally Of leather
leggings and heavy shoes and negligee costume
boarded the s:30 train from this city this morning
The hunters had special car. part of it to store
their luggage in and the other part 10 sit IN ana
swap snake yarns Of past hunts There were
hunters from ali parts of Connecticut
At South Kent the party was met by Dr. Johu
Monroe. treasurer of the club, and ''Shang
Wheeler. the curator of the club, who had come
from Providence the night before to have every
thing in readiness for the hunt. Four-in- hand
buses were taken by the hunters, and at the eno
of an hours drive the hills and up through
the picturesque Housa tonic Valley the Schaght-
coke Indian reservation vas reached. Here George
Coggswen and the Indians OF the reservation eK-
changed "hows" with the hunters
The natives had gathered the number of fifty
or sixty take part in the hunt Many OF the
hunters had eaten little breakfast, and they
strengthened themselves By inGulgirs in pans ot
clam chowder before tackliug the snake den.
At noon. stripped OF coats and vests. they started
up the steep mountaiustde in Indian hle Tor the
den There we're number of new recruits. ana
just before entering the snake den DR. John Mon
roe who. with "Shang" Wheeler. led the party
called a halt and explained that it was necessary
to keep quiet If any snakes were 70 be caught lie
also cautioned every hunter against taking hold Of
a rock above his head before seeing what there was
on the top OF the rock. it is the top Of the
shelving rocks that the rattlers lie summing them
selves
Each hunter picked his way cautiously up through
the Jagged rocks. sweating. slipping and nerved up
TO concert pitch. looking at every step for ratter
Suddenly to the left OF the party the familiar CRY
rang out. I've got one!'
Victor NorHaIk Conn newspaper
man. had the honor Of catching the first snake 1t
was fair-sized one, with three rattles
In five minutes Ed" Harris. a son Of jim HaT-
ris or Jim PAN as he is known under his Indian
name. gave a low, soft whistle The Indian BOY
stood the centre Of little cleared spot IN the
den and when the hunters approached calmly re
marked There's four big ones here There may
be more Be careful where you step
"shang'' Wheeler slid stealthily TO where
young Harris was holding a three foot and a-half
rattler under his fork. With little Comnotioh
Wheeler lifted the snake by the neck and dropped
him into the bur1ap bag. four-footer was grow
ing uneasy and beginning TO crawl away 'Shang
Wheeler placed his forked stick gently over his
neck. and in another minute this snake was in the
burlep bag
Young Harris held the third snake under his fork
and Wheeler forked the fourth. They held them
until other hunters came to relieve them by placing
their sticks on the rattlers. SiX ratters were
caught inside of half hour
Up top of tho snake den James heeB2h, OF
New Haven. saw a black rattler lying by the side
Of a decaying log. He pinned him fast with his
fork and yelled for help This was tou-toot
snake and a most vicious one When Curator
Wheeler picked him up two streams OF milky venom
sduirted ont a distance of three feet and fell ON
the shoe Of one Of the New York newspaper men
The latter exceeded the speed limit in brushing
that venom from his shoe. and during the remain
Ger Of the day he appeared 20 feel uneasy about
the possible penetrating effects OF the poison
Eight other snakes were captured by the hunters
around the top Of the den Within half an hour
before leaving the reservation Jim Pan appeared
on the scene with a box There broad smile
on ''Jins'' face he opened the box and dropped
out IN the road ten big tiers These snakes were
prt IN the burIap bag with the other fourteen and
ihe hunters hegan the return trip.