By Paisley Kirkpatrick
Susan B. Anthony, the great suffrage leader once found herself a passenger on a Wells Fargo stage driven by the famous jehu, Mark Regan. She was enroute from Denver to Salt Lake City.
At the 'eatin' house at the Bitter Creek way station, Susan was served the piece de resistance of that establishment by the proprietor, a Mr. Rawlins. Said delicacy was 'roasted whitefish' and Susan showed her appreciation by consuming three generous helpings.
Susan proceeded on her merry way via Wells Fargo stage to the next 'eatin' house and promptly ordered white fish, but was forced to settle for fried chicken. Between bites of the fowl she praised Mr. Rawlins and his white fish. Finally the waitress, a Mormon girl could take no more and told Susan in disgust, "You didn't eat no white fish ma'am. That was pure rattlesnake meat. That's what that no good Rawlins serves everybody."
In high indignation Susan sent for the manager. However, Mark Regan stepped forward and gently assured Susan that she had in truth eaten rattlesnake meat. "You see, Ma'am," he informed her, "Rawlins is supposed to keep a supply of game to feed the stage passengers, but being somewhat of a naturalist he forgets at times. Then he just kills the first thing at hand and cooks it. Today he killed some big fat rattlers down by Bitter Creek."
As was ladylike for members of the weaker six in that day, Susan promptly swooned. Thirty years later, however, the suffrage leader wrote to Mark Regan, "I can now smile with others over that remarkable meal."
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) is perhaps the most widely known suffragist of her generation and has become an icon of the woman's suffrage movement. Anthony traveled the country to give speeches, circulate petitions, and organize local women's rights organizations.
Diamond Rattlers Recipe
Salt and pepper
2 ½ pounds cleaned diamond back rattlesnake
¼ cup yellow cornmeal
¼ cup cooking oil or bacon drippings
Parsley or watercress
Salt and pepper rattlesnake to taste and roll in cornmeal. Lay separately on waxed paper. Panfry in oil until brown on both sides. Place on heated platter and decorate with parsley or watercress. If desire, serve with tarter sauce or barbecue sauce.
NOTE: Rattlesnake meat tastes slightly like fish. In some areas of the country, annual rattlesnake hunts are held.
That’s what that no good Rawlins serves everybody.”
In high indignation Susan sent for the manager. However, Mark Regan stepped forward and gently assured Susan that she had in truth eaten rattlesnake meat. “You see, ma’am, Rawlins is supposed to keep a supply of game to feed the stage passengers, but being somewhat of a naturalist he forgets at times. Then he just kills the first thing at hand and cooks it. Today he killed some big fat rattlers down by Bitter Creek.”
As was ladylike for members of the weaker sex in that day, Susan promptly swooned. Thirty years later, however, the suffrage leader wrote to Mark Regan, “I can now smile with others over that remarkable meal.”
