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Domestic News
September 3, 1773
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On August 2, 1773, near Deerfield, Massachusetts, John Hawley, while pursuing turkeys near Sugar-Loaf mountain, was surrounded by rattlesnakes and heroically killed 34 with a stick, destroying 67 including 33 eggs.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
DEERFIELD, August 2, 1773
As Mr. John Hawley was a ploughing not far from the mountain called Sugar-Loaf, that lies near the ferry that they cross from Sunderland to Deerfield, he saw a number of turkeys coming into the field, he got his gun, in order to kill the turkeys; but before he was ready the turkeys made off up towards the mountain: Mr. Hawley followed them up the mountain, and as he was advancing up the same, he was surrounded by a number of Rattle-Snakes, and he being of an heroic spirit, and man-like, loth to turn his back and run, though surrounded by such spiteful and malicious serpents (as these serpents are the most spiteful of any serpents that crawl on the ground,) he sat down his gun (as they had none) and took up a stick that lay handy, stands his ground and fights them, kills 34 of the venomous serpents on the spot, the rest of frightened at the valour and activity of him, that they were glad to quit the field of battle, and hide themselves in the holes under the rocks, and leave the victorious hero in possession of the field; and so he obtained a compleat victory.---He took 33 eggs out of those he killed, so that he destroyed 67 of these serpents at that time.
As Mr. John Hawley was a ploughing not far from the mountain called Sugar-Loaf, that lies near the ferry that they cross from Sunderland to Deerfield, he saw a number of turkeys coming into the field, he got his gun, in order to kill the turkeys; but before he was ready the turkeys made off up towards the mountain: Mr. Hawley followed them up the mountain, and as he was advancing up the same, he was surrounded by a number of Rattle-Snakes, and he being of an heroic spirit, and man-like, loth to turn his back and run, though surrounded by such spiteful and malicious serpents (as these serpents are the most spiteful of any serpents that crawl on the ground,) he sat down his gun (as they had none) and took up a stick that lay handy, stands his ground and fights them, kills 34 of the venomous serpents on the spot, the rest of frightened at the valour and activity of him, that they were glad to quit the field of battle, and hide themselves in the holes under the rocks, and leave the victorious hero in possession of the field; and so he obtained a compleat victory.---He took 33 eggs out of those he killed, so that he destroyed 67 of these serpents at that time.
What sub-type of article is it?
Accident
What keywords are associated?
Rattlesnakes
John Hawley
Deerfield
Snake Fight
Turkey Hunt
Sugar Loaf Mountain
What entities or persons were involved?
John Hawley
Where did it happen?
Deerfield
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Deerfield
Event Date
August 2, 1773
Key Persons
John Hawley
Outcome
killed 34 rattlesnakes and collected 33 eggs, destroying 67 in total; no human injuries.
Event Details
While ploughing near Sugar-Loaf mountain, John Hawley pursued turkeys, was surrounded by rattlesnakes, set down his gun, took a stick, and fought, killing 34 on the spot while the rest fled.