The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-08
The Late Snake Story.


The Concord On. H. Patriot gives the
following, and as if concious that few could
be found to credit it, gives the assurance
that it is true: a@l ~s
"About two weeks since little girl near
six years of age, named Collista Hill, of
Gilmanton Centre, was searching for ber-
ries in the field, when her attention was
arrested by peculiar singing noise, and
on looking up she preceived two large
black snakes, one of which was in an erect
attitude and gazing fixedly upon her, ac-
companying its vibratory motions by, as
she says, "a most beautiful singing She
first attempted TO run, but found herself
utterly incapable of doing so. She then
looked at the snake until she became so
pleased with it that she took it in her lap,
and held it until she thought It asleep and
then fed to the house. For number
Of days she visited the snake, unknown to
her parents, who finally discovered her feed
ing it from her hands. She continued feed
ing it regularly every day, becoming more
and more attached to it, until it would wind
itself around her arms and neck, and even
take food from her mouth. Finally she
was prevailed upon to place it in box,
on condition that it should not be hurt,
and in that it is still kept, except when
being fed. Hundreds in the vicinity have
been to see it, and it is the opinion of the
medical men who have seen her, that she
is completely fascinated, and that the death
of the reptile would prove fatal to her
The snake is over four feet long.
The N. H. Mirror adds the following:
"The little girl was asked if she was
not frightened when she saw the snake
She said she was terribly frightened
and when asked why she did not run,
she said sho tried to but could not; she
also tried to scream for her mother, but
could not speak word The idea is that
she was paralized by the magnetic power
of the snakes. The first time she remain
ed with them long time-could not tell
how long. Afterwards daily she staid
with them several hours, feeding them reg
ularly. She said they liked sweet things
best, and that she stole three cakes of ma
pie sugar that her mother had laid away,
and sweet gingerbread whenever she could,
to give them. The big snake would try
to drive the small one away from her when
fed, and she cuffed him several times, and
he returned the compliment by taking her
fingers into his mouth several times, with
out doing much harm Consequently she
don't love this snake as much as she does
the other one, though she is generally fond
of him.
The girls parents have changed their
first determination, and are now exhibit
iN the child and snakes to crowd at
Concord, N. H. On Saturday, they were
visited by thousands, by which some IS 90
were made.
The above story has been going the
rounds of the papers for some time. We
suspected it's being humbug and did not
insert it, but as it appears to be generally
credited we give the story without vouch
ing for its truth.
P. S. Since the above was in type We
find the following item in the telegraph
column of an exchanges: VI s sal
i Boston, July 26.-Yesterday anothe1
attempt was made to give an exhibition
of the girl said to be charmed with th'
snake about which so much has been pub
lished. The child was bitten by the snake
and showed great terror when requested
to handle it. The father was subsequent
:. ly arrested and bound over ON the charg
of forcing his daughter to take part in th'
exhibition. - 4 e als