Shiny Objects Along the Way #1 - Religious Fanatics and Snakes

One of my favorite primary sources for geneology is old newspapers.  The problem with old newspapers is they are just so interesting and full of distractions.  Here is one story that caught my eye.  This Huffman is not part of my family tree but he does sound interesting, especially if he lived.

Horton, KS - G. W. Huffman of Coldwater, KS is fighting desperately against death from snake bite because of his fanatical attempt to demonstrate the faith of the True Followers, a weird religious band known locally as the snake eaters.

On a lonely country road Huffman attempted to give a practical exhibition of his faith to bring back into the fold Z. O. Osteen, a backsliding brother in the new cult.

When an enormous rattlesnake appeared in the road Huffman stopped his team and got out.  Seizing the rattlesnake by the throat he picked up the snake allowed it to strike the back of his hand.  The fangs failed to get in their work.  Mrs. Osteen thrust her child into Osteen's arms, and jumped from the wagon.  She took the poisionous reptile from Huffman and fondled it in her hands for a time, finally allowing the rattler to wind its sinuous folds around her neck.

For some reason, probably sheer astonishment, his snakeship refused to bite Mrs. Osteen, and she was glowing with religious fervor, when Huffman in his  zeal to convince scoffing Osteen, attempted to take the snake from Mrs. Osteen, while Osteen sat in the wagon sneering and warning his fanatical wife and friend to be careful.

Huffman took the snake from Mrs. Osteen and his touch evidently broke the spell of the woman's audicity, for the rattler was galvenized into quick activity and with a lightening dart of the head sank his fangs into the back of Huffman's hand.  It took several seconds to force the angry jaws apart, and make the fangs release their vise-like grip.  By that time Huffman was pale and weak.  He was rushed in the wagon to Hugoton where medical aid was summoned, but his body had swelled to twice its normal size.  He has a chance of recovery.

Link to the original clipping