For a week a reign of terror has existed here, owing to the invasion of the town by an army of rattlesnakes, says a Tavarez (Fla.) dispatch to the St. Louis Globe Democrat. The reptiles are of all ages and sizes and have practically taken possession of the town. No woman or child dares venture out of doors, and when the men go out their legs are incased in stout leather leggings which reach to the thighs and are armed with clubs with which to dispatch the serpents. The advance guard of this army of rattlers appeared just a week ago, and since then the snakes have come in such numbers that it is estimated that there are now 1,000 within the corporate limits of the town. Last Sunday as Mayor Yorke and his family were going to church they met the advance guard. It consisted of two old rattlers about five feet long, each with twelve rattles and a button, and a dozen smaller reptiles. The mayor an his family beat a retreat, and the city’s magistrate called for neighbors to assist him in dispatching the reptiles. This brood was killed, but before it was done shouts from different quarters of the town announced the approach of more snakes. Since then the men have been busy killing the reptiles. It is said that 400 snakes have been killed and still the town is full of them. Their warning rattle is heard at all hours and on all sides. The dogs made a gallant fight against the reptilian army, but nearly all have been bitten and are dead. Several horses have also died of snake bites. So far no person has been bitten, though there have been several narrow escapes. Mrs. Sallie Jacobs had the most remarkable escape. While washing linen in the yard she put her 2-year-old baby in a dry-goods box near by. Soon Mrs. Jacobs heard the baby laughing and looking around was horrified to see an immense rattler coiled behind the box. The mother rushed for the baby and the snake struck at her, fastening its fangs in her clothing. Her screams brought her husband, who killed the rattler. The snakes came from a hammock at the foot of St. Clair Abrams avenue. The council has voted an appropriation, and the hammock will be cleared and the home of the snakes destroyed.
Tavares, Florida is northwest of Orlando. Perhaps it is the same town.
Given the sparse description, these snakes likely were Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes.