The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-03-25
Death of Miss Nellie Harp
Brings to Light Remarkable
Story of Long Illness Due to
Shiny Thing.
FATHER SAYS A REPTILE
CRAWLED THROUGH BODY
In Some Instances the Great
ure Forced Itself Into the
Girls Throat and Bit Her,
Causing Blood to Flow.

mo stranger story of human all
ment caused by the presence of a rep
tile living within the stomach and in
testines of human being, has ever
come to light in the annals of this
city than that which was revealed aft
er the death of Miss Nellie Harp, aged
IS, who died at local hotel last
week. The father of the young wom-
an and other relatives declare her de-
mise was caused by a snake living
within her body The local undertak.
er that handled the body after death
stated today he was told a story of
snakes and worms that was astound-
ing. but he believed death had actual
ly been due to nervous prostration.
The local physician. who attended the
young woman before her death stated
she died from dropsy resulting from
bright's disease. He attributed her
illness to an affection of the kidneys.
Miss Harp's body was sent to Green
vile. Ohio. for burial.
Miss Harp came 10 Richmond from
two weeks ago to be treated for some
chronic trouble which was supposed
to be sapping away her life. Her all
ment was diagnosed by some as caused
by tape worm, and by others as
Brights disease. for which she was
treated. Five weeks ago her relatives
let it be known that a tape worm had
been removed from the unfortunate
young woman. She seemed to get
better from day TO day until last week
when she suffered a relapse and death
ensued. After her death. her father.
Charles Harp. a well-to-do and emf
nently reliable farmer of near Pales-
tine, told the relatives ii had been a
live snake which caused the l2-years'
illness and final death of his daughter:
that he believed the girl had swal-
lowed the reptile when drinking at a
spring near the school she attended
No one attempts to deny the story
told by these people. but it is impos-
sible to get a denial or confirmation
from the attending physicians. The
father of the girl claims TO possess a
piece of the snake. which is seven or
eight inches long. and in circumfer-
ence it is larger than a broom handle.
Removed in Pieces
The snake was removed from the
girl in pieces and the one end. which
has the appearance of being cut off
with knife, shows the flesh to be
white and similar to that Of chicken
In telling the story 10 relative
here, the father broke down and al
most wept as he related the terrible
suffering his daughter had endured.
pent pass from one part OF her body
to another and when under a diet the
snake would come up almost in her
throat and actually bit her until the
blood would issue from her mouth.
There is no way Of estimating the
length of the snake when alive. but it's
measurement around the body would
indicate it was two feet or more long.
This the father believes.
Relatives Confirm Story.
Greenville, o.. March 25.-Relatives
here confirm the story of
a snake having lived in the stomach
or intestines of Miss Nellie Harp of
near Palestine, this county, for TO
II years. J. c. Turner, a Broadway
harness dealer. and uncle Of the dead
girl, says the story is true. Mrs.
George McClellen, another relative, ac-
she had known OF the
strange case for several days. Charles
Harp, the father, is a former school