In this year leading up to Arizona’s centennial, Feb. 14, 2012, we’ll reprint a story or excerpts each day from the Arizona Daily Star or Tucson Citizen archives.
May 17, 1912
The Mohave County Miner says: From Topock, at the east end of the Colorado River bridge, in this county, comes one of the most remarkable snake stories that we have ever heard.
The story is vouched for by James W. Quinn, and as the victim of the snake is in the hospital at Needles suffering from a bite of the snake and fright, there is every reason to believe that Mr. Quinn is telling the exact truth.
Recently there was born to a Mexican family at Topock a baby girl. The child thrived nicely until about three weeks ago, when it commenced to fade away. The mother was unable to account for the condition of the child and was greatly worried.
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Last Sunday night she was awakened by sharp pain in her breast and a light being struck it was found that a great bullsnake was suckling her and when she accidentally rolled over it, the reptile bit her.
Greatly frightened over the bite of the snake she was hurried to Needles, where the physician found that the bite was not serious.
An examination of the child disclosed the fact that it was in a starving condition, the snake evidently securing all the woman's milk during many nights before its discovering.
The Mexican track workers live in the houses and sleep on pallets on the floor. It is reported by the track foreman at Topock that the snakes are so plentiful that it is impossible to keep them out of the houses, and he has asked the company to be allowed to build floors and screen the places so that the people may be protected against the reptiles.
It is thought that the snake had been in the habit in crawling under the covers of the woman's bed to get out of the chill of the night and had been attracted by the smell of milk while the child was nursing.
That such a thing could occur really passes belief, but nevertheless, the woman and child are at the hospital, where anyone who doubts the story may interview the mother.
Arizona Daily Star
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