Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-08-03
Hhaliunruug.
Brake Taseination-A Recent Instance in
Missouri

anske Taseination-A Recent Instance in
Missouri
We have occasionally read accounts of per-
sens having been fascinated or spell-bound by
snakes, but never knew of an instance occur
ring in our vicinity until a day or two since.
and one that We know to be fact. A man
ny the name of O'Mary had q small child,
little girl about thirteen years of age, who
came to her death through the influence of s.
snake, one day last week, under the following
circumstances. O'Mary resides or Copperas
Creek, in Franklin county, and but a short
distance from the Pacific Railroad depot
Some nine months ago. early last fall, his
family noticed the little girl to be pining away,
and becoming very weak and pale, although
she had been very feshy and hearty, and ap-
psrenly without any cause or complaint OF
sickness.
By the time winter hal fairly set in she was
wasted away to a mere skeleton, but as soon
as the weather became cold she again seemed
70 revive. She never complained OF beng
unwell, and in reply 10 sn their inquiries IN
regard 10 her health, she invariably said she
felt very well, only little weak As soon
as spring arrived, she could not be prevailed
upon 70 eal any victuals in her fathers house,
nnt EouIu ssi.7 piece OF oFeaG ana i,"'se- 4,
or piece Of meat, and 60 out to the edge o.
the creek to eat it. The family noticed her
regularly, always going precisely to the same
place, and invariably complaining OF beng
hungry after her return, when, If more Wet
uals would be given her, she would again re
tu n to the creek, as they thought to eat.
Finally, some of the neighbors having
heard of the circumstances of the child's ex-
traordinary con ]uet, and also Of her wasted
appearance, suggested to her father to watch
her movements, which he did last Friday
The child had been sitting on the bank of the
creek nearly all the forenoon, until near din
ner time, when she got up and went to her ia
theirs house asked for piece of bread and
butter, and again returned 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 re-
eeive the bread and butter from her hand;
and when she would attempt to take bite OF
the bread, the snake would commence kissing
and become apparently very angry, when the
child, trembling like leaf would promptly
return the bread to the monster. The father
was completely acalysed, not being able to
move hand or foot-entertaining, as most l.
rish persons do, a great dread for snakes.
he felt alarmed for the safety of the child,
not knowing the nature or the snake or the
extent of the influence on his child.
His blood became almost clCgged 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 imme-
diately sprang to her feet and ran home ap-
parently much frightened. Her father fol-
lowed her, but she refused to answer, and he
then resolved to detain the child at home, but
be was advised to allow her to 60 again next
day to the creek, and follow her and kill the
snake. Next morning she took piece of
bread again and went out to the creek, her
father followed with his gun in his hand and
az soon as the snake made his appearance, shot
him through the heau. ue c1lIu sWooneu
the snake sauirmed and worked himself about
awhile, and then died. The child in the
meantime recovered from her swoon but was
Immediately seized with spasms, acting in g
manner resembling the writhing of snake,
and finally died at the same moment the snake
died, apparently in the greatest agony.
This horrible, and at the same time melan-
oholly, occurrence is the first we have heard
of Tor long time, and in fact the first we
ever knew of, where we could possibly vouch
for its truthful correctness. This should serve
ss . warning to parents who reside in the
country to be more careful and watchful Of
their children.
We had almost forgotten to mention that ii
was r black snake, (generaily supposed to be
harmless, that is not poisonous,) seven feet
six inches in length that fascinated the little
girl