On October 28, 1925, Katherine McHale Slaughterback was out with her 3-year old when they were surrounded by migrating rattlesnakes near her farm in Hudson, Colorado. McHale Slaughterback used all of the bullets in her rifle and then she grabbed a nearby sign and began killing the snakes, one-by-one, until all were dead.

News of the incident spread quickly and earned McHale Slaughterback the nickname “Rattlesnake Kate.” An industrious woman, she used many of the snakeskins and rattles to create an authentic, one-of-a-kind flapper-style dress with matching shoes and accessories.

The Rattlesnake Kate story is one of six stories currently being considered for the Rocky Mountain PBS series Colorado Experience.  It’s up for popular vote, or as the television station calls it, Viewer’s Choice, against five other history stories from across the state. The link to vote is at http://woobox.com/cgdn2e/iqrdc0 and the winning show topics will be announced Friday, April 7.

Today, Rattlesnake Kate’s original snakeskin dress is exhibited in a climate and light controlled area in the Greeley History Museum, 714 8th St., along with rattlesnake shoes and accessories. Her original homestead and story are part of nearby Centennial Village Museum, 1475 A St., which coincidently opens April 20 for Baby Animal Days. For information about the museums, visit Greeleymuseums.com.

The series Colorado Experience airs on Rocky Mountain PBS every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the contest and series, visit RMPBS.org/ColoradoExperience.

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For more information, contact:
Kim Overholt, Museum Marketing
970-350-9216
[email protected]

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