(This article originally appeared on page 2 of the June 27, 1911, publication of the Alexandria Gazette and is reprinted word-for-word below.)

James Stoner, a mountaineer was found dead beside a bridge lending to his home in the hills near Punxsutawney, Pa., yesterday. Near him were four rattlesnakes fastened by thongs to the rocks. He had been bitten to death. A party of fishermen killed the snakes, and from the man’s wife in the cabin across the stream they learned that the dead man had tied the snakes there because he was jealous and feared his wife would have visitors in his absence. For five years, Stoner had kept snakes at the little bridge, the woman said, and she had never dared to leave the place in that time. On Sunday night he came home intoxicated, she said, slipped at the bridge, and fell among the snakes.