Washington telegraph., 1854-08-23
Snake Fascination,

Snake Fascination.
We have occasionally read account. Of
persons having been fascinated or sEell-
bound by snakes, but never knew of an in
stance occurring in our vicinity until day
or two since, and one that VIC know TO Ie a
fact. y man by the name Of O'Mara had
small child a little girl about threen
years Of age, who came to her death through
the influence Of a snake, one day last week,
under the following circumstances =
O'Mara resides on Copperas Creek in
Franklin county, ard but short disnce
from the Pacific Rail road depot Sme
nine months ago, early last fall his family
noticed the little girl to be pining away, and
becoming very pale and weak, although she
had been very heshv and hearty, and a,pa-
rently without any cause or complaint Of
sickness. BY the time winter bad fairly
set in, she was wasted away TO a mere shell
eton, but as soon us the weather became
cold she again seemed to revive. She new
er complained Of being unwcll, and in re-
ply TO all their inquiries in regard to her
health, she invariably said she felt 0ell on
~ a little weak. AS soon as spring arrived.
she could not be prevailed upon to cat any
vctuals in her fathers house, but would
take a piece Of bread and butter. or a piece
of meat, and 20 out to the edge OF the creek
to cat it. The family noticed her regulari-
ty always going precisely to the same place,
and invariably complaining Of being hun
CRY after her return, when if more victuals
would be given her, she would again return
to the creek, as they thought to cat
Finally, some Of the neighbors having
heard of the circumstances Of the child's
extraordinary conduct. aud also of her was
ted appearance, suggested to her father to
watch her movements, which he did last
Friday. The child bad been sitting on the
bank Of the creek nearly all the forenoon,
until near dinner time, when she got up
aud went to her fathers house, asked for a
piece of bread and butter, and again return
ed to the same place she had been. Her
father kept behind her without making any
noise. As soon as the child was seated.
the father saw huge black snake slowly
raise its head into her lap and receive the
bread and butter from her hand and when
she would attempt 10 take a bite Of the
bread. the snake would commence Kissing
and become apparently very angry, when
the child trembled like leaf, would prompt
ly return the bread TO the monster. The
father was completely paralyzed, not being
able to move hand or foot entertaining. as
most persons do, q great dread for snakes
he felt alarmed for the safety Of his child
not knowing the nature of the snake or the
extent Of its influence on the child. His
blood almost become clogged in his veins,
and he groaned in perfect agony, which
caused the snake to become alarmed and
glide away into the creek. The child then
Immediately sprang to her feet and ran
home, apparently much frightened. Der
father followed her, but she refused to an
swer any questions, and be then resolved to
detain his child at home, bot he was advised
to permit her to 60 again the next day to
the creek, and TO follow her and kill the
snake. Next morning she took piece Of
bread and went ont to the creek; the father
followed her with his gun in lis hand, and
as soon as the snake made his appearance
shot him through the head The child
swooned; the snake squirmed and worked
himself around awhile, and then died the
child, in the meantime, recovered from her
swoon, but was Immediately seized with
spasms, acting in manner resembling the
writhing Of the snake, and finally died at
the same moment the snake did, and ap-
parently in the greatest agony.
This horrible, and at the same time mel
ancholy occurrence, is the first we have
heard Of for long time, and in fact the
first we ever knew of where we could vouch
for its truthful correctness. We know that
there are persons who doubt the reality of
fascination, but if they entertain any doubts
on this subject hereafter. the relatives Of
this unfortunate little girl can be found
ready and willing 10 corroborate our state
ment. This should serve as warning to
parents who reside in the country to be more
careful in watching their children.
We had almost forgot to mention that it
was black snake, generally supposed to
be harmless, that is, not poisonous, seven
feet six inches in length, that fascinated the
little girl. 81. Louis Herald
How much better it would be for every