THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN — JULY 13, 1914
In a certain section of the interior of the state of Pennsylvania the innocent natives are becoming more or less excited over a hoop snake scare. For the benefit of those who do not drink to excess it may be stated that the hoop snake is the one that curves itself into a hoop, bites the tip of its tail between the tip of its teeth and goes cycling across the fields, and up and down hill and all around the barberry bush, and on and away—merrily caroling as distinctly as possible “Hoop la, let her go!”
The full grown hoop—and they usually are in time—has a spike attachment on the tip of the tail which is kept sharp by frequent honing on the leather tree. This spiky tip the hoop snake jabs with great force into the domestic economy of its victim, thereby rendering him hors-du-combat, as well as null and void.
It is said to be a charming relaxation to observe a mother hoop out railing with her little hooplettes, and faunal and other naturalists have observed that when you see the mother hoop thus disporting herself the father hoop is sure to be around somewhere.
It would be a great pity to let those inquiring Pennsylvania yokels remain in dusky ignorance, concerning this very curious effort of freaky nature.
—Cleveland Plain Dealer.
From— Arizona Republican. (Phoenix, Ariz.), 13 July 1914. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
