Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-08-05
OLD SERIES, VOL. IA, NO. 45
SNAKE FASCINATION


laies case of snake fascination which re-
suited fatally. The Herald vouches for the
truth Of the statement, the particulars OF
which are stated as follows:
"a man by the name of OMara had
small child, little girl, abou, thirteen yeaIs
OF age, who came to her death through the
Of snake, one DAY last week
under he following circumstances O'Mara
resides on Copperas Creek, in franklin
county, and but short distance from the
Pacific Ralroad depot. Some nine months
ago, early last fall, his family noticed tho
little glrl TO be pinng away, and becoming
very week and pale, although she had been
very feshy and hearty and apparently with
out any cause or complaint Of sickness.
By the lime winter had fairly set in, she
was wasted away TO mere skeleton, but aa
soon as the weather became cold she again
seemed to revive. She never complained Of
baiug unwell, and in reply TO all their in.
quiries in regard 10 her health she invaria.
bly, said she felt very well, only little
week. As soon as spring arrived, she could
not be prevailed upon TO eat any rictua's in
her fathers house, but would take piece oil
bread and butter, or piece of meat, and 60
out 10 the edge of the creek 10 eat it. The
family noticed her regularly, always going
precisely to the same place, and invariably
complaining Of being hungry after her return,
when if more vctuals would be given her,
she would again return to The creek, as they
thought, to eat.
Finally, some 81 The neignbors having
heard o the circumstances Of the child's ex-
traordinary conduct, and also of her wasted
appearance, suggested 10 her father TO watch
her movements, which he die last Fliday.
The child had been sitting on the bank OF
the creek, nearly all the forenoon, until near
dinner time, when she go. up ard went 10
her fathers 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 receive the bread and butter from
her hand and when she would attempt 10
take bite of the bread, the snake would
commence Kissing and become apparently
very angry, when The child trembled like a
leaf, would promptly return the bread 10 the
monster.
The father was completely paralyzed, not
being able to move hand or foot, entertain
ing, as most persons do, great dread for
snakes, he felt alarmed ior the safety of hs
child, no, knowing the nature Of the snake
or the extent Of the influence on his child
His blood became 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 10 her feet and ran home. apparently
much frightened. Her father iallowed her,
! but she refused TO answer any questions, and
he then resolved 10 detain his child a, home,
but he was advised 10 permi, her TO 90 again
next day 10 the creek, and follow her and
kill the snake.
Next morning she took piece OF bread
and again went ont 10 the creek her father
followed her with his gun in his 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 heT
swoon, but was Immediately seized with
} spasms, acting in manner resembling the
} wrilhns of the snake, and finally died the
same moment the snake did, apparently III
the greatest agony"