Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-04
Killed bv q SERPENT,
TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER WITH A DEADLY BLOW
ING VIPER IN DARK ROOM.

TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER WITH DEADLY BLOW
ING VIPER IN DARK ROOM.
A terrible calamity befel Doctor Paulhamus
and his lovely and accomplished daughter
Eleanor, Tuesday evening, In WILLIAMSBURG
Pa. 1t seems that couple OF weeks ago two
tramps captured pair OF enormous reptiles
which the doctor pronounced to be of that
deadly species known as blowing viper"
The doctor, having q desire TO contribute
this district, purchased the reptiles, Intending
10 forward them TO the Geological Gardens IN
Philadelphia. Biding their transportation the
snakes were placed in large glass jar, tue
top being carefully secured by covering of
wire gauze. The jar was then placed on an
elevated bracket in remote corner of the
his daughter were returning from a visit 10
the country, and the doctor having occasion
10 MAKE up prescription they both entered
DIS once, the doctor lighting a lamp. Aud
Owl swept In through the tranSom above the
door, and flew With the speed Of an arrow
AGAINST The lamp. knocking it over and seat
teIlng the OH ard broken glass in every direc-
ton. The bird Seemed frantic, flying ani
dashing in every die, ton. while general
crash OF bottles and glasses was heard on
every side. Meanwhile the doctor had IL
another match, but just in time TO receive his
daughter, VINO Sprang with wild cry 10 his
arms; in the darkness he gathered his dar-
ing I'D his arms, and in a moment realized the
situation. The owl had dislodged the Jar
from the bracket, and the vipers were at
large. Speedily he CROPPED his way, calling
was SLOW TO put In an appearance. They
seemed slow, but scarcely five minutes elapsed
until 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 insensibie since she
Sprang to her fathers arms. was now being
cared for by the ladies, when one simultaneous
Shrlek almost fr0Ze the blood and paratyZed
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 be-
tween the kle and the : nee. She was now
carried Immediately to her h me, where every
Known antldOIe for p0 son was administered
by her frantic father, but all to no avail. She
died at half past o clOck this morning. After
taking the poor unfortunate young lady home
one OF the men, knowing there had been two
snakes, returned to the office and soon dis
patched 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 boots, who, being so
alarmed for his daughter, had not the slight
est knowledge OF being struck. The corpse of
the young lady has swollen to enormous di
mansions, while her complexion is in harmony
with the spots and general coloring of the
snake The larger of the snakes measured
four and half feet, the smaller four feet
They are pronounced by our Old people the
largest of the species. Ii was the shorter one
of the two that bit the young lady, Altoona
(Pu,t Tribune. Sent II