Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-02-18
HAD A WEIRD POWER
AMELIA LOST HER LOVER BY CHARM
 ING BEASTS.

Death of Strange xvolnan-she Had Bears
 and Snakes as pets-Harrison Didn't
 LiIse to Have a catamount at Ills Table,
 So He wouldn't Marry Her.
 Mrs. E. Miles, who died at Brook vile. Pa, few days ago, had wonder ful power over animals aud readily made pets of wild deer, bears, cata- mounts, foxes, snakes and fishes She was native of Ireland and came to this country in 1S44. She rode from New York to Philadelphia on tho rail- road, wont to Williamsport on packet boat and walked thence to Bald Eagle, where she passed several nights i'll the woods. Later she moved to Farrands- vile, where she made her home with family i'll whose honor the village was named. The woods in the vicinity of Farrandsville were dense, and animals was while ill that neighborhood that she 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 account of her uncanny power over untamed ani- mals he never married her. He didn't fancy having to sit at the table with bear on either side of him, catamount opposite, his wife at his loft, fox run ming under his feet and black snake and rattlosnalSe 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 q cook at lumber camp and refused 10 have any thing whatever to do with women. He is now 7S 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 homo related the following story of the peculiarities of the dead woman:
 Amelia was the dearest girl I ever 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 snakes of which she made pets. often wondered how she did it. l often asked her, but the subject was always instant ly changed. finally concluded that I g1f I..&r, secret if it took mo all my life.
 "One day in 1854. as was coming down the road and saw Amelia, hur- r1ed after her. She went to stream and sang weird song. The words were such as l had never heard, and the appear ance of Amelia was greatly changed Her voice seemed unnatural.
 T 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, earessed tho birds and stroked the deer. She remain cd in this queer state about ono hour. It was this sight that made me firm i'll my determination to break away from her.
 s'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, a cata- mount, fox and two snakes as pets. 1t 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.
 '"rhe bears were often hitched to Q carriage, and she would ride behind them. The postof1ice was some miles away, and among the sights each week was Amelia, accompanied by bear and a deer. These pets were extremely fond of their owner and would allow no one to molest her.
 Some odd things happened. Amelia was finer than the other girls in the vii oinity intellectually and was a 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 it.
 All of these animals were taught to 10 various tricks, and no matter when the word was given all pets responded. recall tho first time I ever attempted to kiss her. As all country lovers go about it, began telling how Sim Jones over in tho valley kissed Martha Hen- nipger 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 whist. Finally stroked her hair, and, with q sudden movement, pulled her head toward mo and was about to take tho kiss, when from her throat came the magic word which