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Story
December 1, 1917
The St. Charles Herald
Norco, Hahnville, Saint Charles County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
J. A. Baker, a Texas railroad foreman, amputated his own left hand with an ax after a rattlesnake bite to stop the poison, then walked eight miles for medical help.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
MAN SAVES
LIFE
BY
WIELDING AX
Bitten by
Rattlesnake He Cuts
Off His Own Hand to
Stop Poison.
San Antonio, Tex.--With one blow from an ax, J. A. Baker, railroad section foreman, severed left hand after it had begun to swell from the effect of a rattlesnake bite. Baker then traveled from where he was working, 50 miles below here, a distance of eight miles to receive medical attention.
After he had been bitten by the snake, Baker called upon a companion and asked him cut off the swelling hand.
The friend attempted twice, but each time lost his nerve before he could swing the blade. Baker then grasped a stump with his left hand and chopped down with the ax held in his right. One blow completely severed the hand.
Completely Severed the Hand.
Binding his wrist with a stout cord, Baker walked the eight miles necessary to reach a point where he could be aided. A physician, who had traveled 30 miles on a special train, met him there.
The snake, which Baker killed after it had struck him, measured ten feet and had nine rattles.
LIFE
BY
WIELDING AX
Bitten by
Rattlesnake He Cuts
Off His Own Hand to
Stop Poison.
San Antonio, Tex.--With one blow from an ax, J. A. Baker, railroad section foreman, severed left hand after it had begun to swell from the effect of a rattlesnake bite. Baker then traveled from where he was working, 50 miles below here, a distance of eight miles to receive medical attention.
After he had been bitten by the snake, Baker called upon a companion and asked him cut off the swelling hand.
The friend attempted twice, but each time lost his nerve before he could swing the blade. Baker then grasped a stump with his left hand and chopped down with the ax held in his right. One blow completely severed the hand.
Completely Severed the Hand.
Binding his wrist with a stout cord, Baker walked the eight miles necessary to reach a point where he could be aided. A physician, who had traveled 30 miles on a special train, met him there.
The snake, which Baker killed after it had struck him, measured ten feet and had nine rattles.
What sub-type of article is it?
Survival
Heroic Act
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Survival
Bravery Heroism
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Rattlesnake Bite
Self Amputation
Survival
Ax Severance
Texas Foreman
What entities or persons were involved?
J. A. Baker
Where did it happen?
Near San Antonio, Texas
Story Details
Key Persons
J. A. Baker
Location
Near San Antonio, Texas
Story Details
Railroad foreman J. A. Baker is bitten by a large rattlesnake while working 50 miles south of San Antonio. When his companion refuses to amputate the swelling hand, Baker severs it himself with an ax, binds the wound, and walks eight miles to medical aid.