Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-28
Snake Fascination.


girl about thirteen years of age, wht
came to her death through the inhu
ence of snake, one day last week
under the following circumstances
O'Mara resides on Copperas Creek
in Franklin county, and but a shor
distance from the Pacific Railroad
depot. some nine months ago, ear
ly last fall, his family noticed the
little girl TO be pining away, and be-
coming very weak aud pale, although
she had been very fleshy and hearty,
aud apparently without any cause OF
complaint of sickness. By the time
winter had fairly set in, she was
wasted away to mere skeleton, but
as soon as the weather became cold
she again seemed TO revive. She
never complained of being unwell,
and in reply 10 all their inquiries in
regard to her health, she invariably
SAID she felt very well, only a little
weak. As soon as spring ar
rived, she could not be prevailed
upon TO eat any vlctuals in her faith
er's house, but would take piece of
bread and butter, or piece of meat,
and go out TO the edge OF the creek
TO eat il. The family noticed her
regularly, always going precisely to
the same place, and invariably com
planning of being hungry after her
return, when if more victuaIs would
be given her, she would again return
10 the creek, as they thought, TO eat.
Finally, some of the neighbors hav-
ing heard of the circumstances of the
chIld's extraordinary conduct, and
also OF her wasted appearance, sug-
gested 10 her father 10 watch her
movements, which he did last Friday.
The child had been sitting on the
bank OF the creek nearly all the fore
noon. until near dinner time, when
she got up and went to her fathers
house, asked for piece of bread
aud 'butler, and again returned TO the
same place she had been. Her
father kept behind her without max
ing any noise. AS soon as the child
was seated, the father saw huge
black snake slowly raise its Lead INFO
her lap and receive the bread and
butter from her hand and when
she would attempt TO take a bite Of
the bread, the snake would com
mence kissing and become apparent
~ very angry, when the child, trem-
bling like leaf, would promptly re-
turn the bread to the monster. The
father was completely paralyzed, not
being able to move hand or foot
entertaining, as most Irish persons
do, great dread for snakes, he felt
alarmed for the safety of his child,
not knowing the nature of the snake
or the extent of the influence on his
child. His blood become almost
clogged in his veins, and he groaned
IN perfect agony, which caused the
snake to become alarmed, aud glide
away into the creek. The child
then Immediately sprang TO her feet
and ran home, apparently much
frightened. Her father followed her,
but she refused to answer any ques-
tons, and he then resolved 10 detain
his child at home, but he was advised
TO permit her to go again next day to
the creek, and to follow her and kill
the snake. Next morning she took
a piece OF bread again and went out
to the creek, her father followed her
with his gun in his hand, and as
soon as the snake made his appear
ancc, shot him through the head
The child swooned the snake
squlrmed 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 a manner re-
sembling the writhIng Of the snake,
and finally died at the same moment
the snake did, apparently in the
greatest agony.
This horrible, aud at the same time
melancholy, occurrence is the first
we have heard of for a long time.
and IN fact the first we ever knew OF
where we could positively vouch for
lis truthful correctness. We know
that there are persons who doubt the
reality of snake fascination, but if
they entertain any doubts on this
subject hereafter, the relatives Of this
unfortunate little girl can be found
ready and willing TO corroborate our
statement. This should serve as a
warning 10 parents who reside in the
country TO be more careful in watch
ing their children,
We had almost forgot to mention
that it was black snake, GENERALLY
supposed TO be harmless, that is, not
poisonous, } 7 feet 6 inches in length,
that fascinated The little girl.-N.
Louis Herald, July l2.
Vermont Teachers AssOcia-