“Rattlesnake” Sykes

Found this great old poem by a Montana pioneer who got bitten by a Rattlesnake (twice). I copied it and put it on his findagrave memorial.

At some point in his life as a cowboy, Harry Sykes was bitten twice by a Rattlesnake. It was nip and tuck getting him to Glasgow for treatment. Then the legend of “Rattlesnake” Sykes was born. He wrote this great cowboy poem about it.

Cowboy vs. Rattlesnake

A cowboy met a rattlesnake

One morn at break of day.

The snake did bite the cowboy’s feet

And start him on his way.

I wish at this point to relate

‘Tis no pleasant way to play.

I saddled up Old Rackbones

And whispered in his ear.

“Perhaps you’ve heard of Casey Jones

“Also of Paul Revere;

“But let me tell you, good old hoss,

“They won’t be in it here.”

With bloodshot eyes and throbbing heart

He broke away with a flying start.

Ten long miles in a single heat,

I wondered he could keep his feet –

With ears laid back and belly low,

You should have seen that cayuse go.

He fairly drifted through the air

While I did try to shape a prayer

From Scraps of oath I used to swcar,

And wondered if in “Cowboy Heaven”

The boys would play seven-come-eleven,

Or maybe twenty-one, just for fun.

He carried me to a jitney car,

Although my spirits were not at par

With a brother cowboy at the wheel

Said he, “Old Timer how do you feel?”

“This darned ol’ car ain’t got no low.

“I’ll step on high and let her go.”

Forty miles at double quick

Holy Moses but I was sick.

At last, they laid me on the cot

While doctors and nurses around me plot,

And a “Hastie” fellow on the spot

supplied what cusswords U had forgot,

One and all they pulled me through.

May they ever count me a friend, true-blue.

Even the nurse with hands so cold

Made me think of the days of old

When Boreas whistled up my back

While a cowboy’s troubles I tried to pack.

So now I will end this tale of woe,

I have “saddled up,” am ready to go,

Have rode the range for “two score-ten”

Ever tried to be a man among men.

May everyone do whatever he likes

Yours, healthy an hearty,

-HARRY “RATTLESNAKE” SYKES

Hary was born in Helena in 1869 making him one of Montana’s first native-born pioneers. he caught pneumonia at a remote cow camp in 1934 and died. He is buried in Glasgow.

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