Tillisch & Co. received a consignment of bananas Wednesday, which were taken out of the shipping cases and hung up, says a Watertown (S.D.) paper. Some little time afterwards a lady was looking them over and discovered a snake coiled around the stem of one of the bunches in such a way as to be entirely concealed by the overhanging fruit. She was greatly startled and called the attention of Mr. Forter, the clerk, to the fact that a snake was there, and he immediately got a pitch fork and proceeded to investigate further. At the first jab of the fork the snake ran a hasty survey of its surroundings, seeming to be somewhat irritated at having been disturbed. Mr. Kean, who was standing near, hit it on the head with a stock he happened to have in his hand and partially stunned it, and it was afterwards dispatched without ceremony.
It measured 3 feet and 1 inch in length, its color a brownish yellow, with irregular spots of a darker hue on its back and sides. It is not known definitely what species of snake it is, but that it came from the tropics and is of a venomous character there is no doubt. It is claimed by some that it is a spotted adder, but we have not yet met any one competent to vouch for its identity. It is on exhibition in Duffer Bros.’ window, being in a glass jar filled with alcohol, and attracts a great deal of attention. Mr. Forter certainly had a narrow escape from being bitten, as in taking out the bunches and hanging them up he is certain he must have touched it with his hands without knowing it. He is quite certain on one point, however, that hereafter bananas will be handled in that store with gloves.
Tillisch & Co doesn’t have a web presence, but there were some Tillisches in Watertown SD in 1886 (the American Express Agent and a Civil Engineer).
Mr Forter seemed to survive his experience and prosper — in 1905 he was listed as a grocer in Watertown (at 121 Kemp Avenue East).
Neither Mr Kean nor Duffer Bros. show up on the web. Pity.
I did a quick perusal of the various urban legends sites. There are “snake in the coat made in [unnamed country not the US] bites woman” stories, but nothing about bananas or other market produce.
I’m unable to find a picture of a “spotted adder.” Apparently it is a common snake in the US (in Indiana, at least) and no one takes photos of it. Did the snake hitch a ride from Indiana to South Dakota, or did it come from some unnamed country not the US?