Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1910 — BUTTERMILK [ARTICLE]

BUTTERMILK

This Hamlet’s Favorite Drink, But Residents Have Wonder “Joint” Snake. Sainte Marie, 111., June 29.—-In this hamlet, which is the metropolis of the buttermilk belt. in Illinois, lives a “joint” snake which is daily making circus acrobatic feats look spurious. Many residents of Sainte Marie hate witnessed the stunts of this rare serpent species and vouch for the truth of its powers. Albert Kauffman discovered the snake in his meadow yesterday. He hit it with a stick'and it flew into five pieces. He had heard that a “joint” snake* would reunite itself, so he waited until sundown, which, according to tradition, is the time the serpent reassembles. * So just as the sun was disappearing he saw the snake gather up its scattered fragments. Meanwhile Kauffman had got a forked stick and a wire cage, and before his snakeship knew what had happened he was in durance vile. The serpent is three feet long and speckled. Kauffman feeds the snake on mice, and it appears to be contented.-