Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1860 — Death of the Great Snake—a Conflict. [ARTICLE]

Death of the Great Snake—a Conflict.

It wae only a week or two since that we announced the arrival at Salem from Africa, of a monster Boa Constrictor, in size one of the largest ever brought to this country. Its length in its quiet state was fully thirty feet, with a capability of extension when in moto nearly forty feet. In its largest part it was some twenty inches in circumference. Tho snake was purchased by Mr. Goodwin, broker of this city, placed on exhibition at Horticultural Hall, School street, where it proved attractive. Last week, however, his snakeship exhibited symptoms of illness, in the form of indigestion, and on one occasion Mr. Bishop, the keeper, removed a number of feathers of an animal which the reptile had swallowed from its throat. On Sunday tho snake was treated to a warm bath, and Mr. Bishop was again attempting to remove some obstructions from its throat when the snake suddenly exhibited signs of hostility, erected its head, seized Mr. Bishop by the hand, and commenced to coil its enormous length about the body of the keeper, in order to crush him to death. The other attendants, in the first moments of alarm, retreated; but recalled by the cries of the imprisoned keeper, armed themselves with clubs, and commenced to belabor the snake in order to induce him to release his hold. No impression was made, however, a«d one coil was already around the body of the unfortunate man, when a brother of Mr. Goodwin came to the rescue with a large hammer _ With this he struck the snake two violent blows upon the head, which, together with a violent choaking about the throat, induced the reptile to unlose its coil, when Mr. Bishr op was at once set free from his horrible imprisonment. The snake soon began to sink under the treatment he had received, and in

two hours was dead. Its remains were purchased by Mr. Vickery, of Lynn, who will have the skin stuffed for^reservation. — Boston Traveler.