New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-09-11
THE RATTLESNAkE
and PRES. WILSON
Museum Curator Declares Neither
Should Be Aroused
(By Birmingham Schurr, Curator OF
Institute Museum.)


Very few. among the many thou
sands who are now responding to the
call to arms to do battle against Ger
many; or for that matter very few
American citizens realize that the
rattlesnake was in olden tines an
emblem of our country. Furthermore,
few people know that the rattlesnake
under which our forefather fought
could be used in great glory to dis
play true, .red-blooded Americanism
in the present war. The rattlesnake,
which tens of thousands of people in
the present day loathe, is in truth a
creature with characteristics, which
If properly understood, would cause
every person dwelling under the Stars
and Stripes to honor and respect. Do
tho people of our nation realize that
our president, in this war, has done
everything just as only could be done
of our country today? If those who
in the past condemned our president
for doing things which they thought
he should not have done or should
have done would look to the rattle
snake for enlightment, they would
see in the "schoolmaster," as some
call him, pretty good American stuff.
And, if there are any persons who
still adjudge our president guilty Of
not being true blue" let them
understand the history of the rattle
snake and get properly informed.
Today the eagle screams and call1
America to arms! In days of yore
when the rattlesnake ratified, our
country went to war!
The dust and bones of our fore
fathers inspire the rattlesnake to
rattle and buzz today as it never VI
brated it's tail before-to cause the
eagle to scream with all the power
Of its voice, that America, to a man.
should rally around the president to
defend our sacred honor.
In the days of the making of our
country, the "rattlesnake flag was
an inspiration to all who fought be-
meath it. Pictured upon the flag in
question, was a rattlesnake coiled in
the position to strike, with head and
tail raised, and beneath it were the
words. Don't Tread On Me-" What
cid the rattlesnake stand for? 1t
signi1ied true Americanism.
Like America, the rattlesnake
warns before striking. The warning
can never be mistaken! Keep away.
don't tread on me. The rattlesnake
is a patient creature. America is
likewise patient. A rattlesnake can
be menaced by foe for a long time
under certain circumstances without
it's making any effort to attack. It
will face it's enemy in a coiled posi-
ton and constantly vibrate it's tail
in warning. 1t knows it's power and
it knows when to strike. The foe can
only go so far toward the rattlesnake.
But it matters not for how long the
enemy provokes the creature it will
just that long constantly rattle. Il
the foe gets careless-reckless, and
goes too close, quick as a fab the
snake strikes. Woe to it's enemy, for
it's blow means death!
Our forefathers were patient with
the enemy, but when they were COM
PEELED to strike-well, we know what
always became of the enemy. So it
has been with our president. He has
been very patient. Letter after let
ter was written warning after warn
ing given. The enemy needed it not.
The president knew his power-the
might of the nation, and he contin-
| uously kept warning, Don't tread on
me- But the foe became reckless and
! the blow has been struck.
In the beginning of our nation, oul
forefathers wanted what We want and
will have today-"Liberty or Death
| That is another characteristic OF
the rattlesnake. 1t cannot be kept
captive. Ninety-nine times out Of {
| hundred a rattlesnake will starve it
self to death in captivity. 1t will re
| fuse food while Gagged. 1t will Civ,
up everything, except water. 1t will
drink to refresh its starving body
but Will not eat. 1t wants liberty O.
death.
| Let us keep the rattlesnake il
mind as an object to infuse in GU
hearts loyalty to our president.
Live Rattlesnake at Museum.
Yesterday, through the kindness O
| Barney Mason of Plainville, a vetera
rattlesnake hunter, the Museum c
Natural History and Art of the Ne
Britain Institute was enabled to Sc
cure a living rattlesnake to place 0
exhibition. The snake was capture
by E. w. Edwards a boy scout {
Plainville while recently trampin
about in the mountains. 1t is
splendid specimen and full grow
Scout Commissioner D. G. Skinner {
this city and SEQ utmaster Harry Boz
ney of Plainville had the rare plea:
ure of transporting the reptile fro,
the latter place to the Museum.
Curator Schurr will have sever;
photographs taken of the snake
use as illustrations in the book j
is writing for the State Geoolgic;
and Natural History Survey on tt
| Snakes Of Connecticut