Litchfield enquirer., 1854-08-10
Snake Fascination.

We bave occasionally read accounts of persons having been fascinated or spell- bound by snakes, but never knew of an ] instance occurring in our vicinity until a day or two since, and one that we know to be fact. A man by the name of O'Mara, had small child, litile girl, about thirteen years of age, who died through the influence of snake one day last week. under the following circum> stances :-O'Mara resides on CoppcrAs 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 tleshy aud hearty, and apparently wilh> out any cause or complaint of sickness. By the time winter had faiIly set in. she was wasted away to mere skeleton, bu, as soon as the weather became cold she again seemed 10 revive, She never com> 1 plained of being unwell, and in reply to all their inquiries in regard to her health she invariably said she felt very well, i only litlle weak. As soon as spring returned she could not be prevailed upon to eat any vic,uals in her fathers house, but would take piece of bread and but, ter, or a piece of meat. and go out to the creek and eat il. The family noticed hel regularly, always going precisely to the same place, and invariably complaining of being hungry after Ter return, when if more victuals would be given her. she would again return to the creek, as they supposed, to eat. @ att.
 Finally. some of the ncighbors having heard of the circumstances of the child's extrao'dinary conduct, and also of her wasted appearance. suggested 10 her fla
 ther 10 watch her movements. which he did last Friday. The child had been sit- tlng on the bank of the creek nea,ly all the forenoon, until near dinner time, when she got up and went 10 her fathers house asked for piece of bread and butter ant again returned to the same place she hat been. Her father kept behind her wnh out making any noise. As soon as th, child was sealed. the father saw huge black snake slowly ralse it's head into hel lap and receive the bread and butter from her hand and when she would attempt 10 take bite of the bread, the snake woald commence bissirg and become ap- apparently very angry, when the child, trembling like a leaf. would promptly re- ,uIn lhe bread 10 the monster. The fa- lher was completely pa,al, zed. not being able to move hand or foot entertaining, as mort Irish people do. great dread oi snakes. he felt alarmed for the safety ol his child. not knowing the nature of the snake or the extent of the influence upon his child. His blood became almost clog- | gcd ln his veins. and he gtoaned in per feet agony, which caused the snake to glide away into the creek. The child i'm mediately sprang to her feet and ran home apparently much frightened.
 Her father followed her, but she re. fused to answer any questions. and he then resolved to detain his child at home but he was advised to pc, init her 10 go again to the creek. and to follow her and T kill the snake. Next moI ming she took a piece of bread again and wen, out 10 the creek, her father followed her with his gun in his hand. and as soon as the snake made his appearance sho. him in the head. The child swooued: the snake squirined and worked himself abound awhile cad died the child in the mean, time recovered from her swoon. but wal immediately seized with spssms. acting in a manner rst mbling the wri,hing O the snake, and finally died. at the same moment the snake did. apparently in th' greatest agony.
 , This horrible and at the same time mel ancholy occurrence is the f'st we eveI knew of whe'e we could positively vOuci iOr its truthful correctness. We know there are persons who doubt the realt, of snake fascination but if they enter tain any doubts on this subject hereafter the relatives of this unfortunate ghl caI be Goand ready aud willing to corrObOr ate our statement. This should serve .