Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-09-10


 Mrs. E. Miles, who died at Brook. vile, 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 native of Ireland and came to this country in 1844 She rode from New York to Philadelphia on the rail foad went to Williamsport on packet boat and walked thence to Bald Eagle. where she passed several nights in the woods. Later she moved to Farrands- vile, where she made her home with a family i'll whose honor the village was named. The woods in the vicinity of Farrandsville were dense, and animals and reptiles were numerous in it. It WAS while ill that neighborhood that she became aware of her strange power and tegan to practice it.
 Hee maiden name was Amelia JausS and Henry Harrison, yet alive, was her lover for many years, but on account of her uncanny power over untamed ami mals he never married her. He didn't fancy having to sit at the table with a bear on either side of him, catamount opposite, his wife at his left, fox run ming under his feet and black snake and rattlesnake in boxes ill 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 a cook at @ lumber camp and refused to have any, thing whatever to do with women. He is now 78 years old, and for three years past has lived in San Jacinto, 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 tie peculiarities of the dead woman:
 Amelia was the dearest girl ever kuew. She was beautiful and had lov. ing disposition Everything seemed to fall in love with her. She possessed great strength and enjoyed tramp through the woods. She would often go alone, and it was while on such trips that she would capture the animals and snnkes of which she made pets. 1 often wondered how she did 1t. l often asked her, but the subject was always instant. ly changed. finally concluded that would learn at least a portion of her secret if it took me all my life.
 One day in 1854. as I was coming down the road and saw Amelia, I hur- ried after her. She went to stream and sang weird song The words were such as had never heard, and the appear. ance of Amelia was greatly changed. Her voice seemed unnatural.
 .tI was frightened. Presently few birds flew toward her, and several snakes crawled 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 ill this queer state about one hour. It was this sight that made me firm in my determination to break away from her.
 ''I had paid Amelia attention for four years, but l ceased my visits after that. Amelia, during my time as her lover, always had her two bears, deer, cata, mount, fox and two snakes as pets. It was not unusual to see Amelia enjoying her dinner, supper or breakfast sur rounded by her pets. Those that ate meat would get it off plate especially arranged.
 The bears were often hitched to a them. The postoffiee was some miles away, and among the sights each week was Amelia, accompanied by bear and deer, These pets were extremely fond of their owner and would allow no ooe to molest her.
 ''Some odd things happened. Amelia was finer than the other girls in the vi- cinity intellectually and was general favorite I remember used to shudder at having her ugly catamount near us as we sat on the old settee Then, too, it wasn't delightful to have big snake crawl over my leg as sat there talking sentiment to Amelia. When Amelia got cross, she would sit on the floor, sur. round herself with her pets and laugh at me. I was afraid of the pets, and she knew 1t.
 "All of these animals were taught to 10 various tricks, and no matter when the word was given all pets responded. I recall the first time I ever attempted to kiss her. As all country lovers go about it, began telling how Sim Jones over in the valley kissed Martha Hen ninger when walking along lonely road, and that Sarah Johnson says how she'd rather kiss than go to corn husk. in. Amelia was on to me, but let me get closer and allow my arm to go around her waist Finally stroked hex hair, and, with a sudden movement, pulled her head toward me and was about to take the kiss, when from her throat came the magic word which made the bears jump toward me, the catamount land on my back, the fox give cry and the snakes stand in the air in front of me. was scared nearly to death, hugged all the closer to Amelia and was nearly exhausted when she