Upton, Massachusetts 1912 Cat vs Snake vs Whip
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009UPTON, Massachusetts – May 10, 1912
“A three-foot adder created considerable excitement in Post office square, West Upton, this morning. Several bystanders were lounging about the steps at Knowlton hall, when Dot, a cat owned by Mrs. J. Frank Despeaux, came around the corner of Eben T. Hall’s grocery store, meowing and trying to attract notice.
William F. Parshley, Jr., followed the cat to the stonewall between F. P. Miskell’s store and the grocery store of Mr. Hall. Parshley did not see the long reptile at first, and turned back. The adder saw Parshley and started for him, causing Parshley to retreat to the hotel steps for more volunteers to help him attack the snake. Edward B. Houghton, owner of the West Upton fruit store, was driving past in his delivery wagon. He was halted by Parshley, who borrowed his whip and started after the snake, escorted by Frank E. Smith, John F. Carmody and Harry B. Steele. The snake was ready for Parshley, but the latter, with two blows of the whip, ended the life of Mr. Adder, with the pussy cat and the Parshley militia as witnesses. ”
Not sure which is weirder, that he used a whip to kill the snake or that this story made the newspaper….
