Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-25


Mrs. f. l.. Hall, the bookkeeper ana
correspondent of the company says
that the RATHER is not spiteful or
snappish snake, and that it rarely ever
bites any person or animal unless dis
turbed or made angry, and that even
then it does not strike without sound
ing its rattles as a note of warning
While some few snakes are raised on
this farm, the stock is kept replenish-
ed from the mesquite chapparel and
cacti thickets for which the lower
Rio Grande valley is noted The Next
cans go into the brakes and make their
captures. - The old Mexican snake
hunter is said to be an expert in his
calling. Among other methods adopt
ed for capturing his prizes he carries
a rod with Il prong on the end, AMI
when he locates a snake he pins the
reptile to the ground holding it Just
back of the head, then with his hands
he takes hold and lands his catch in
a gunny sack and in the twinkle of an
eye, throws the sack across his shout
der and goes in search of another
snake. 1t is said that a snake being
in a sack, or in position where Il
cannot throw itself into coil, or where
it cannot see the object of its wrath,
will not strike that il must see an
select the spot before it will bite. The
Mexican is paid for his snakes at the
rate of fifteen cents per pound, and
frequently one large RATHER brings him
$3.50 or even $500.
From this farm snakes are shipped
to all parts of the United States and
Canada for shows and museums and
scientific, medical. manufacturing and
commercial purposes. In Philadelphia,
and probably in other cities, it has
been stated the poison of the RATHER
is being used for conducting expert
ments i'll the treatment of tuberculosis
and other diseases, leprosy, perhaps.
that are supposed To be ineurable
when fully developed. The hides are
tanned and used for ornaments, as
we'll as for manufacturing purposes.
hand bags, cravats, hat bands and
other ornamental apparel The oil is
used in the treatment of toothache,
earache, neuralgia, rheumatism and
other ailments. 1t is also used in
making many salves. ointments, lni-
ments and other toilet preparations
1t is claimed by those who are au-
thority on rattlesnake lore that a few
drops of rattlesnake oil added to lin
salves cold creams, face powders.
cologne and extracts makes the skin
soft and smooth, and easily trans
plants the blush and beauty from the
rose to the cheeks of fair maidens and
society bellies and matrons. The
poison of the RATHER is worth SIS per
ounce, but it takes many snakes to
I secure that quantity. When dried it
| crystalizes and is a bright yellow.
| AS little as the public may know or
| think of this snake farm, it is never
| theless valuable industry in that Il
| converts poisonous reptiles and harm
| full deprecating animals into an Geo.
| nomic value. 1t opens the way and
| furnishes trappers and Mexican
snake hunters with opportunities for
| earning good wages and making
money for supporting their families
| Through the sale of these reptiles and
| wild animals. which were formerly
! killed and left to decay upon the lower
Rio Grande plains, without any profit
large sums are annually being turned
| into the channls of trade whereby
the entire community is more or less
| indirectly. if not directly benefited.