The Turnbo Manuscripts
by Silas Claiborne Turnbo
1844-1925
Turnbo Home | Table of Contents | Keyword Search| Bibliography | Biography
WATCHING A RATTLESNAKE CHARM A RABBIT
By S. C. Turnbo
In giving accounts of the pioneer days on Crooked Creek In Marion County, Ark., Mr. Brice Milum told me this which he said he witnessed himself. "I was then living near the present site of Powell and at the time I speak of was following the occupation of farming. One day In 1853 while Elisha Dotson and myself were plowing, our attention was called by a peculiar noise, and on investigation we saw a rattlesnake charming a rabbit. When we discovered them they were six feet apart. The serpent was four feet long, and was stretched at full length and closely watching its victim. The latter was uttering a peculiar and distressing noise and slowly moving up toward the snake. When the powerless rabbit was within a few inches of the rattler’s head we were surprised to see it topple over. We went up and killed the snake. The rabbit was dead. We were both satisfied that the snake did not touch the rabbit and we believed the serpent had a power to kill by charm or something of the kind. Who can explain this charming business anyway?" said Mr. Milum.
Turnbo Home | Table of Contents | Keyword Search| Bibliography | Biography
