[Russtic]

Our local paper in MA has a "Time Capsule" feature that reprints articles from long ago. This one describes an incident on Rattlesnake Island 100 years ago:
"Norman Bruorton was recovering in the Laconia, NH hospital after being accidentally shot in the leg. Bruorton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bruorton of Federal Street, had been attending the Boston YMCA camp at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
"Several days prior, Bruorton and several fellow campers had ventured to Rattlesnake Island, where they planned to hunt the island's namesake creatures.
"After the group killed one snake, which had nine rattlers on its tail, Bruorton moved to the front of the pack. Armed with a club, he led the way, and his companions followed with guns. Suddenly, one of the firearms behind Bruorton discharged of its own accord and struck him in the thigh with a bullet. No charges of foul play were made.
"Bruorton's injuries were not grave, and he was expected to leave the hospital within a few days. Though the community expected Bruorton to return home, the camp had requested that he come back to Lake Winnipesaukee."
The origin of the island's name has been speculated on many times. This story says rattlesnakes did exist there, but then again, maybe the boys were telling a tall tale!
Russtic