Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 220, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1910 — BIG SPIDER CATCHES MICE [ARTICLE]

BIG SPIDER CATCHES MICE

Instead of killing a large black spider which he saw tn his workshop, D. A. K. Neas of Morristown, Tenn., concluded to let It live and calls It his pet. The spider actually catches mica and seems to possess a greater fondness for the small rodents than his kind usually have for flies. Mr. Neas is a broom manufacturer. Several days ago he was attracted by the faint cries of a small animal evidently in distress. Upon Investigation the diminutive sufferer proved to be a small mouse, which had in some way become entangled in a spider’s web In one corner of the room In which Mr. Neas whs at work. Further inspection of the victim’s condition disclosed the fact that a large black spider was busily engaged In the task of binding or enclosing him in a fine web ol silken threads. Becoming Interested in the performance, Mr. Neas watched the mouse and Its struggle with the spider, and was surprised at the ease with which the spider seemed to be able to control fits captive. An endless strand ol silky thread was wound around and aSround the mouse until he was unable to move. Having rendered hjs victim helpless, the spider attacked the mouse at the throat, and its struggles were soon over. A day or two after this first occurrence a second mouse was enticed into the spider’s web and in a like manner disposed of, and then a third rodent followed hte brothers to the happy hunting grounds by the same remarkable route. Ordinarily a story of this kind 'would be received with derision, and it is probable that many will be u» able to credit the narrative In its entirety even now, but Mr. Neas is still entertaining the spider, who seems quite contented with its surroundings, and a repetition of the three occurrences related may be had at any time the mouse is provided.