Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1878 — Two Snakes Killing a Raccoon. [ARTICLE]

Two Snakes Killing a Raccoon.

A fishing party on the baiiks of Shoal creek, Jasper county, Mo., heard a noise in the underbrush, and, going in the direction of the sounds, saw a large coon and two large black snakes in deadly combat, the former getting the worst of the fight. One of the reptiles was coiled around the coon’s body, and, whenever it attempted to use its teeth, the other snake struck at its eyes. It attempted to retreat, but the snake which encircled it dropped a coil, and, as quick as thought, to:k a “half hitch” around a small sapling. It tried hard to pull loose, and, while its energies were bent in that direction, the other snake t ?ok a coil around the coon’s neck, and in a few moments choked the life out of it. The spectators, who had been dumb witnesses of the struggle, advanced and killed the victors. One measured nine feet, and the other seven feet six inches, —St. Louis Republican,