Morning journal and courier., 1885-03-16
STORIES ABOUT CENTIPEDEs.
Cutting Out q Pound of Flesh to Re-
 move the Poison.

CuIt1ng out Pound of Flesh to Ike. move the Poison.
 From the Louisville Courier-J Journal1
 A few days ago Lucien Alexander received
 from friend in Arkansas specimen of that
 venomous animal the centipede. MT. Alex
 ander placed the articulate in a jar of alcohol
 and has it on exhibition at his store. Al
 most everyone who has been attracted by it
 has related remarkable incidents about its
 family. The centipede is known to be one
 of the most poisonous reptiles in existence.
 It is claimed that its sting is sure death, and an antidote for it's poison is among the undiscovered wonders of the world.
 One of the stories related of this species is that of ex-soldier. He says that when among the Ozark mountains companion felt one of them crawling up his leg. He knew it's sting was sudden and fatal but the varmint was on him. What must he do to be saved was the question. He knew it would be impossible to. shake it off, because at the least disturbance it would plant it's fangs into his flesh. He felt 1t crawling and
 as it came higher and higher on his limb the precipitation boiled from every pore of his body. Every moment was one of agony, and he began to realize that his life hung on
 single thread. Finally an idea suggested itself lie dealt the centipede terrific blow
 but at the first touch it's fangs were inserted
 in his flesh. Almost instantly he disrobed
 and with common pccket-knife made an
 incision around the affected part and re-
 moved about pound of flesh. This was twenty years ago, and the man carries an
 ugly scar this day, but to that scar he owes his life.
 Another story, more remarkable is briefly told. A company of emigrants had encamped in New Mexico and one night one of the par tv WI s1n ha nd awakened by peculiar sensation on his toes. He looked and saw monstrous centi- pede crawling across his foot. Only few feet from him was the camp fire and he could see every fibre of the reptile. Knowing its peculiarities and the effect of its sting, he, l too, was in fever of excitement. Afraid | to move a muscle, he dared not attempt to shake 1t off. After 8 seconds pause he reached under his head, got his pistol and, taking deliberate aim, fired. It was life
 saving shot for the man; the centipede divi- ded and dropped in two parts on either side of his feet But here comes the most re-
 markable part of the story. Within an hour after the shot fired the men heard terrible grooming from one of their mules, picketed only a few yards away. They went to them and found one of them with his left | fore leg terribly swollen to an enormous size. | The swelling increased, so did the agony and the groans Of the brute, until it died in about i thirty minutes thereafter. An examination
 was made, and it was discovered that the l bullet which had severed the centipede had
 entered the mules foot just above the hoof and inoculated it with poison from the rep l tile.
 1 The person who related the above incident
 bears splendid reputation for truth and
 veracity, and he emphasized that it was a
 true story, but his audience, nevertheless, gave him look of suspicion. "It may be
 true, said one, "but I'll be blamed if I be- l lieYe it ,,