The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RATTLESNAKE PETE

RATTLESNAKE PETE WAS A HANDY-MAN ON A CATTLE DRIVE. HE WAS FAMOUS
FOR CATCHING RATTLESNAKES WITH HIS HANDS AND BITING THEIR HEADS OFF.
ONE DAY ONE OF THE COWBOYS ON THE DRIVE WAS BITTEN IN THE EAR BY A
RATTLESNAKE. PETE CUT HIS EAR OFF AND DRAINED THE POISON AND THEN
SEWED THE EAR BACK ON THE MAN. HOWEVER, PETE HAD
BEEN DRINKING AND SEWED THE EAR ON BACKWARDS. SEEING WHAT HE HAD
DONE, PETE REMOVED THE OTHER EAR AND SEWED IT ON BACKWARDS ALSO.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 11-20-1968