Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-30
FROM
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HORRIBLE END OF FRANK v.
sNApr, A FORMER WELL
KNOWN CITI2EN OF BLUE-
FIELD--sTRAPPEp TO RED
AND FRorHING AT MOUTH. HE
TRIED TO BITE EVERYTHING
WITHIN REACH.

Frank v. Snapp. a former chief
OF car inspectors on the Bluefield
yards and up the time of his re-
moval to Roanoke seven or eight
years ago one OF our best citizens.
died Saturday morning OF that most
horrible OF diseases rabies.
While walking along the stretg
about six weeks ago swinging his
arms In his customary manner a
dog jumped at him and bit him on
the hand. He was treated by Or.
Richards. who advised him. in order
that he might not take any chances.
to undergo special treatment for the
wound. MIR. Snapp. however. did not
pay much attention to the injury.
The wound on Mr.. Snaps hand
did not heal, and several days ago
he began to complain about sore
ness In his arm, which gradually
spread over his body.
The first time that Mr.. Snaps
wife noticed that there was any
thing wrong about him was when
he began, about four days before
his death, talking to her in a
strange manner. His words were,
however. most affectionate. Then
he began to bite at various objects,
and he would wander around the
I a In II.
fashion and acting most queerly.
The doctor warned the family about
his condition and expressed his
opinion OF the character of the NAL
ady. Dr. Frye was called In by DR..
Richards for consultation and they
agreed I'm their diagnosis. Other
physicians who saw Mr.. Snapp were
DR.. Pedigo and DR.. Boyd. All Of
them agreed that the disease was
Enthusiastically hydrophobia.
Mr.. Snapp frequently bit at chairs
and he also tried to bite an umbrel-
Ia. AS the hours passed by he be-
came worse, and Friday evening t.
was necessary to use force i'm pre-
venting him from attacking those
who We're near him The spasms
were frequent, occurring almost
every minute. When they passed
away happy smile would fit across
his face but in a moment II would
give place to n fierce expression, and
he would grit his teeth and glaro
at his friends and every chance he
got he tried to bite them. The con
WILSON'S were awful and those who
witnessed them never want 10 see
such sight again.
Foam came from his mouth I'm
great quantities and lying on the
fiat Of his back he spat against the
wall with greatest force. a pillow
was often held against his face I'm
order that the foam might not fly
on those who were struggling with
him.
Owing to the contraction OF mus
Giles in his throat and the conse-
quent difficulty OF breathing a gut
teral noise came from his mouth. At
first sheets were used to tie him
down. These sheets were twisted
into ropes, and he broke them as
easily as If they had been paper.
Then strong ropes were secured.
and in one Of the spasms he even
broke these.
Finally his arms were fastened
down In an extended position, tow
els being put under the rope to pre-
vent It from brulsing the skin. A
pillow was placed across his chest
and ropes passed over this and
around the bed. This arrangement
proved to be effective. His convul-
sioDs, however, again and again
made the bed move ab1ut on the
floor.
The friends who watched beside
him were r. r. Taylor and Marc
Gray both powerfully Dunr. but Mr..
snaDp. In his struggles, handled
them almost n they had been chill
dren. Once he lifted lNr. Gray on
his outstretched arm and he sought
to bite both OF them again and
again. Dr. richards was present
and did everything I'm his power to
give tho sufferer relief.
The paroxysms became more and
more violent. Mr.. Snapp was con-
scious up TO within six hours OF his
death. II is said that before he
was bound with ropes he would get
MP in bed and leap TO the floor on
all fours, his hands striking the
hoor first. lie would also frequently
play with HIS toes. especially his big
toe And he would watch with won
derful keenness for an opportunity
to bite at anyone who might be
standing near him.
While the first symptoms showed
themselves about four days ago. he
did not become dangerously IN un.