Description: X-RARE CHAPBOOK BIOGRAPHY OF AN UPSTATE NEW YORK ECCENTRIC
"Life History of Rattlesnake Pete" (Peter Gruber) A Biography of Mr. Peter Gruber, Detailing his experience in forty years study of the poisonous snakes of North America, with other Incidents of a life that has not been uneventful". Popular edition, 1923. Published by John M. Stenger, 8-10 Mill St. Rochester, N.Y. 5" x 7", 69 pages. Paper covers breaking at the hinges, water stains, scattered foxing. Rare in any condition. Pete (1858-1932) was especially renowned for his handling of snakes of all kinds, particularly poisonous rattlesnakes and copperheads, and for his knowledge of the medicinal properties of snake venom, natural herbs and tonics, as well as for his claims that he could cure a goiter by wrapping a live snake around an afflicted person's throat. Many of those who said that he cured them became his staunchest supporters. In their opinions, he did cure them with his snake treatments, untraditional as they were.