This document illustrates the pervasive and often terrifying presence of snakes in Berrien County from the time of early settlement to the mid-20th century. It compiles numerous anecdotes from local newspapers, highlighting both the common fear and the remarkable stories associated with encounters with species like rattlesnakes and water moccasins, often emphasizing their size or surprising locations like homes, cars, and even a church piano. Beyond mere fright, the document chronicles tragic fatalities from snakebites, including a young child and adults, and even one instance of death from extreme fright. Most strikingly, it details the notorious "Cook County Snake Case" where a woman died after intentionally allowing herself to be bitten by snakes during a religious ceremony as a proof of faith, leading to murder charges against her preacher and another follower. The document concludes by mentioning a folk remedy of hot fried eggs for snakebites, underscoring the community's historical struggle with this persistent threat.

This item contains 1 PDF with 4 pages in addition to 4 JP2 files