The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-07-25

judge about Is to Is inches long, and
about as large around as a mans little
finger. Spaced at regular intervals
along the snakes body are bands of
black, about three or four inches apart.
These bands are about a half inch wide.
The rest of the body is coral colored.
The girl said coral snakes are very
rare in Florida but that one is occa-
sionally found.
Both my brother and his wife are
golf fans and play golf great deal.
In discussing the snake question with
them, they spoke Of one golf course in
particular where a rattler was oc
casionally found but they seemed 10
think nothing OF 1t. On another day we
were driving through district where
scrub palmetto covered the ground
thlckly for mile after mile. THAT is
first-class rattlesnake land said my
brother, and it is good place to stay
out Of We had no desire to 90 walk
ing through 1t and were fully content
to remain in the car.
Not So Bad as Imagined.
But we suppose this matter Of poison
Gus snakes is somewhat similar to that
OF the mountain lion and bear scare
IN our own land My brother said very
lew people were ever bitten by snakes
IN Florida and | believe statistics up
hold him in that statement. Similarly.
no one in the West fears mountain lions
or bears. We wander through the woods
without any thought of being injured
by them. But sometimes it is difficult
Tor an Fastener to believe that. While
talking to a relative about our lions
and bears while in Minnesota Oh this
trip she remarked, But don't they ever
get after one; don't they ever eat any
one up" We assured her that thev
didn't. And we suppose it is largely
the same way with the snakes. Not
many people fall victim to their poison
Gus bites. But as far as we are con-
cerned, We would rather meet. any day. |
a cougar or bear in preference 10
q rattlesnake or coral snake
After finishing al 1arpon Springs we
drove on down the gulf coast a few
miles to delightful beach and there
had a picnic lunch. We then followed
On down the coast line until we
reached St. Petersburg, another very
fine city just across the bay from
Tampa. St. Petersburg leaves a most
adorable impression on the visitor. 1t
gives every evidence of being city
II life and progressiveness. Its build
ngs are clean and modern. its homes
and beautiful. Everything
indicates progress and growth.
The City of Green Benches.
Much of Florida lives on tourists
rom the North. They come by the
and thousands during the
winter by special trains and autos.
they take up their abode in cities all
'ver Florida during the winter and
rom the money they take south with
hem the Southern communities grow
ich and fat St. Petersburg is one
UGH city and it caters to the tourist
rom the North. II is known as the mil
resort And it is also known
s the city of green BENCHES.
And THE city of green. benches"
1eans just that. You will find Hundreds
! small, comfortable green benches
Up and down the sidewalks Of St.
'etershurg's business section. They are
cry similar to benches found in city
arks-from five to six feet long, with
comfortable backs, easy to sit in. They
re placed on the outer edges of the
ldewalks and there the visitor from
ne North sits himself down to bask ,,
/ the balmy tropical winter sun
,hile he passes the time chatting with
ronies whose acquaintance he has
1ade. The benches are gesture of
ospitality extended to the visitor with !.
J the gates Of the city.
Leaving St Petersburg we drove
cross the bay TO Tampa over Candy
ridge, five miles long and the longest I
ridge in the world II is a white con-
rete structure, beautiful in its SIM / I
licity, and the ride across it on that
vening was delightful, with the waters {
the bay on each side Of us and with
ne sun setting in regal splendor to the
The bridge is only a few I