Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-05-28
The Centipede's Bite.

A few days ago Lucien Alexander
received from friend in Arkansas, a
specimen of that venomous animal,
the centipede. Mr.. Alexander placed
the articulate in jar of alcohol and
has it on exhibition at his store. AL
most every one who has been attracted
by it has related remarkable incidents
about its family. The centipede is
known to be one of the most poison
Gus reptiles in existence. 1t is claimed
that its sting is sure death. and an an
tidote for its poison is among the I'M
discovered wonders of the world.
One of the stories related of this
species is that of an ex-soldier. He
says that when among the Ozark
Mountains a companion felt one of
them crawling up his leg. He knew
its sting was sudden ana 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 its fangs into his flesh.
He felt it crawling, and as it came
higher and higher on his limb, the
perspiration boiled from every pore of
his body. Every moment was one of
agony, and he began to realize that
his life hung on slender thread.
Finally an idea suggested itself. He
dealt the centipede terrific blow,
killing it; but of course at the first
touch its fangs were inserted in his
flesh. Almost instantly he disrobed,
and with common pocket-knife made
an incision around the affected part
and removed about pound of flesh.
This was twenty years ago, and the
man carries an ugly scar to this day;
but to that scar he owes his life.
Another story more remarkable, is
briefly told. A company of emigrants
had camped in New Mexico, and one
night one OF the party, who was sleep
ing on the ground, was awakened by
a peculiar sensation on his toes. He
looked and saw a monstrous centipede
crawling across his foot. Only a few
feet from him was the campfire, and
he'could see every fiber of the reptile.
Knowing its peculiarities and the ef-
feet of its sting, he, too, was In fe-
yer of excitement. Afraid to move a
muscle, he dared not shake it of. AZ
ter a seconds pause he reached under
his head, got his pistol, and, taking
deliberate aim, fired. 1t was a life
saving shot for the man; the cent?
pede divided and dropped in two parts
on either side of his foot. But here
comes the most remarkable part of the
story. Within an hour after the shot
was fired the men heard a terrible
grooming from one of their mules,
picketed only few yards away. They
went to them and found one of them
with his left fore leg swollen to an
enormous size. The swelling in
creased, as did the agony and groans
of the poor brute, until it died in
about thirty minutes thereafter. An
examination was made, and it was
discovered that the bullet which had
severed the centipede had entered the
mules foot, just above the hoof, and
inocculated il with the poison from the
reptile.
The person who related the above
incident bears splendid reputation
for truth and veracity, and he empha
sized that it was true story, but his
audience, nevertheless, gave him .
look of suspicion. at may be true. '
said one, "but I'll be blamed IL be-
lieve IL. Louisville Courier-JournaI