The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-19
WEIRD POWER
a1asaaA LOST HER LOVER ev CHARM
ING 6EAsTe.

SnsnaA q . Strange Woman-she Had Bears
. and Snakes - Pets-Harrison Didn't
+, Ixks - Have . Catamount ~ His Table,
20 Hs wouldn't Marry Her.
Mrs. e. Miles, who died at Brook
viiles Pa, few days ago, had wonder
ful power over animals and readily
made pets Of wild deer, bears, cata-
mounts, foxes, snakes and fishes. She
was q native Of Ireland and came to
ehis country in 1874. She rode from
New York to Philadelphia on the rail
road, went to Williamsport ON packet
boat and walked thence to Bald Eagle,
where she passed several nights in the
WoodA Later she moved to Farrands-
Vile, where she made her home with q
family in whose honor the village was
named. The woods in the vicinity OF
Tarrandsville were dense, and animals
and reptiles were numerous in 1t. 1t
was while in that neighborhood that
abe became aware of her strange power
and began to practice it.
Her maiden name was Amelia Jauss,
and Henry Harrison, yet alive, was her
lover for many years. but on accouns OF
her uncanny power over untamed AMI
mails he never married her. he didn't
fancy having to sit at the table with q
bear on either side of him, a catamount
opposite, his wife at his left, fox run
ming under his feet and q black snake
and rattlesnake in boxes in the corner
of the dining room. While he was her
''steady company" she had as pets the
animals mentioned and two deer besides.
Harrison cared for her so much, how
ever, that upon bidding her farewell he
went to the woods, became cook at q
lumber camp and refused to have any
thing whatever to do with women. He
is now 7S years old, and for three years
past has lived in San Jaointo, Cal. On
account of the death Of his former
sweetheart he came east to attend her
funeral, and prior to starting for his
California home related the following
story of the peculiarities of the dead
woman:
"Amelia was the dearest girl ever
knew. She was beautiful and had low
ing disposition. Everything seemed to
fall in love with her. She possessed
great strength and enjoyed q tramp
through the woods. She would often go
alone, and it was wAile on such trips
that she would capture the animals and
snakes Of which she made pets. often
wondered how she did it, ] often asked
her, but the subject was always instant
ly changed. finally concluded that
would learn at least portion of her
secret il IL took me all my life.
''One day in 1854. as was coming
down the road and saw Amelia, hur-
ried after her. She went to stream and
sang weird song. The words were snch
as had never heard, and the appear
ance OF Amelia was greatly changed
Her voice seemed unnatural.
II was frightened. Presently a few
birds few toward her. and several snakes
orawled from their hiding places A
deer also responded to the weird sounds.
She handled the snakes, caressed the
birds and stroked the deer She remain
ed in this queer state about one hour. It
was this sight that made me firm in my
determination to break away from her.
II had paid Amelia attention for four
years, but ] ceased my visits after that.
Amelia, during my time as her lover.
always had her two bears. deer, q cata-
mount, fox and two snakes as pets. II
was not unusual to see Amelia enjoying
her dinner, supper or breakfast sur
rounded by her pets. Those that ate
meat would get IT of plate especially
= - ss.-.-1>aaA ---.
''The bears were often hitched to q
carriage. and she would ride bShind
etcm The postofAce was some miles
Sway, and among the sights each week
was Amelia, accompanied by a Lear
and deer These pets were extremely
fond of their owner and wouDS allow nc
one to molest her,
"Some odd things happened. Amelia
was finer than the other girls in the vi.
oinity intellectually and was a general
fsvorite. I remember used to shuddel
at having her ugly catamount near nj
n we sat on the old settee. Then, too
it wasn't delightful to have q big snake
crawl over my leg as sat there talking
sentiment to Amelia When Amelia go
cross, she would sit OH the floor. sur
round herself with her pets and laugh
ut me. was afraid of the pets. and sh'
knew it.
'All Of these animals were taught {,
do various tricks, and no matter whel
the word was given all pets responded
] recall the first time ever attempted
10 kiss her. As all country lovers g
about it, began telling how Sim Jooe
over in the valley kissed Martha Hen
niDRer when walking along lionel.
road. and that Sarah johnson says hov
she'd rather kiss than 60 to corn husk
IN. Amelia was on TO me, but let m
get closer and allow my arm to z
around her waist. Finally stroked nc
hair. and. with sudden movement
pulled her head toward me and wa
about TO take the kiss. when from he
throat came the magic word whic
made the bears jump toward me, th
oatsmount land on my back. the 70
give q cry and the enakes stand in th
~fr I'm fyont NJ ma I waa acared paav