Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-08-02
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Snake Fascination.

The St Louis Herald Of the 18th inst re-
lates 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: .,..,tss ,
"a man by the name of O'Mara had q
small child, little girl about thirteen years
Of age, who came 10 her death through the
influence of snake, one day Last week.
under the following circumstances: O'Mar
ra resides on Capperas Creek, in Franklin
COUNTY, and but 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 Aeshy and hearty and apparent
ly without any cause or complaint of sick
ness. ~
"By the time winter had fairly set in,
she was wasted away to a mere skeleton,
but as soon as the weather became cold she
again seemed to revive. She never COM
planned of being unwelI, and in reply TO al!
their inquiries in regard to her health, she
invariably said she felt very, weH., only. a
little weak, As soon as spring arrived, she
could not be prevailedIupon TO eat any vict=
uals in her fathers house, but would take
piece of bread. and butter or. apiece Of
meat, and 60 out TO the. edge of the creek
to eat it. The family noticed her regular:
| ly, always going precisely to the same place,
and invariably complaining Of being hum
cry after her return, when if more victuals
would be given her, she would again re-
turn to the creek, as they thought, to eat.
"Finally, some Of the neighbors having
heard Of the circumstances of the child's
extraordinary conduct, and also of her vast;
ed 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 dinner time, when she got up
and went to her fathers house, asked for
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 a huge black snake slowly
raise its head into her lap and. receive .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 monstef.:
"The father YVES completely paralyzed,
not being able to move hand or foot enter
tanning, as most Irish persons do, "a 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 became ciogged in
his veins, and he groaned in perfect ago
ny, which caused the snake 10 become "a
larmed and glide away into the creek. The
child then Immediately sprang to her fest
and ran home, apparently much frightened.
Her father followed her, but she refused to
answer any questions, and he then 'resoiy-
ed to detaln his child at home, but he was
advised to permit her to go again, next day
10 the creek, and follow her and kill the
snake. .,,d
"Next molring she took piece ofbread
and again went out to the creek her father
followed her with his gun ip 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 her
swoon, but was Immediately seized with
spasms, acting in manner resembling the
writhing of the snake, and finally died the
same moment the snake did, apparently IN
the greatest agony"