Cook County IL Archives News.....A snake sent by Mail 1861
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com August 3, 2007, 10:44 pm

The Daily Dispatch, Nov 6, 1861 1861
One Philander Pierce lived unhappily with his wife, and she went alone to 
Chicago, where she received several sharp letters from him. One afternoon the 
clerks in the post-office, at the city named, were thrown into consternation 
by a series of agonized screams, evidently coming from a woman. Hastening to 
the spot whence the noise proceeded, they found Mrs. Pierce speechless with 
terror, but able to point to a green adder, then crossing the floor and 
seeking the air of perfect freedom. Some of the men fled, but enough remained 
firm to capture the serpent, which was taken to the City Marshal's office. 
There an explanation ensued. It seems that the woman had found a thin 
pasteboard box and a letter at the office, and had hastened to open the 
former, not doubting that it was a pledge of returning affection. She was 
surprised to hear from within at a slight hiss, and was quite transfixed with 
horror when, from the uncovered, prison, shot the ugly green head of the 
snake. Just then she dropped the box and the screams came in. The letter 
accompanying this infernal machine was hideously sarcastic, but not otherwise 
entertaining. 

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