Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-10-04
KILLED BY A SERPENT.
Terrible Encounter With Il Deadly Blow
ing Viper in a Dark Room.
Altoona (Pa) Tribune


Altoona Pa Tribune.
A terrible calamity befel DIR, Paulha-
mus and his lovely and accomplished
daughter Eleanor, Tuesday evening, at
Williamsport, Pa. 1t seems that
couple OF weeks ago two tramps captur-
ed pair of enormous reptiles, which the
Doctor pronounced to be of that deadly
species known as blowing viper" The
Doctor, having desire to contribute
something that would commend itself.
from this district, purchased the reptiles,
intending to forward them to the Zoo
logical Gardens in Philadelphia. Biding
their transportation, the snakes were
placed in q large glass Jar, the top being
carefully secured by covering of wire
gauze. The jar was then placed on an
elevated bracket in remote corner of
the Office. Last evening the Doctor and
his daughter were returning from Wis
it to the country, and the Doctor having
occasion to make up prescription they
both entered his office, the Doctor light
ing the lamp. And now comes the ter
rible denoument. A large owl swept in
through the uansom above the door, and
few with the speed of an arrow against
the lamp, knocking it over, and scatter
ing the oil and broken glass in every di-
rection. The bird seemed frantic, flying
and dashing in every direction, while a
general crash of bottles and glass
es was heard on every side. Mean
time the Doctor had lit another match,
but just in time to receive his daughter,
who sprang with wild cry to his arms:
in the darkness he gathered his darling
in his arms, and in moment realized
the situation. The owl had disloged the
jar from the bracket and the vipers
were at large. Speedily he grouped
his way, calling aloud for help, which,
the hour being late, was slow to put in
an appearance They seemed slow, but
scarcely five minutes elapsed until a
full dozen ladies and brave men were on
the spot. No living hand can indite the
horrors of the next few minutes. Miss
Eleanor, who had been insensible since
she sprang to her fathers arms, was now
being cared for by the ladies', when one
simultaneous shrek almost froze the
blood and narslyzed each nerve-yet not
all 1t was Thomas Lutz's hand that
seized the glittering reptile by the neck
and choked its fearful fangs apart 1t
had bitten the lady midway between the
ankle and the knee. She was now car
ried home where every known antidote
for poison was administered by her fran
tic father, but all to no avail. She died
at $50 o'clock this morning After
taking the poor unfortunate lady home
one of the men knowing there had been
two snakes, returned to the office and
dispatched the other. An examination
showed its two large fangs missing.
This led to the conjecture that possibly
the doctor had been bitten. A hasty
return and close examination resulted
in finding the fangs in the thick leather
of the Doctors boot, who being so alarm
ed for his daughter, had not the slight
est knowledge Of being struck. The
corpse of the young lady has swollen to
enormous dimensions, while her com
plexion is in harmony with the spots
and general coloring of tho snake. The
larger of the snakes measured four and
half ieot, the smaller four feet. They
are pronounced by our old people the
largest Of the species. 1t was the short
err one of the two that bit the young
lady.