Thursday, August 14, 1975
SNEAKY SNAKES
What do you do when a copperhead snake bites you? Ask Joe Crockett, of Elea-nor. He can tell you. Stay calm and get to a hospital fast.
Joe was fishing last week with his wife, Becky, and a couple of friends, James Evans and Jennifer Hayes. They were on a fishing trip around Marlinton, when he was bitten on the left hand. Joe knew he had to get to a hospital and get there fast. Joe was digging some wild ferns for his mother when the snake struck.
They were a mile and a half up the river from the car, so it meant walking back to the car, down the railroad tracks. Joe was first taken to Denmar State Hospital, which was close by, but there wasn’t’ any doctor on hand. So, he had to be taken on into Marlinton to the hospital there.
The State hospital called for an ambulance to meet them on the road. Joe started passing out and vomiting in the car and after the ambulance got there, enroute to the hospital he stopped breathing. The ambulance attendant had to give him mouth to mouth breathing. Joe was calm enough when he was first bitten to know to put a turniquet on his arm. The doctor said if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be here today.
The ambulance driver, a member of the Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department started pumping the bite after lancing it. The hospital at Marlinton only had two bottles of anti-venom. So, after giving that to Joe and getting his vital signs down, he was transported to Lewisburg to Greenbrier General Hospital where he was sent for more treatment in case more serum was needed.
He was allowed to leave the hospital after several hours. Joe believes that he would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the help of his friends and the members of the Marlinton Fire Department, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital and Greenbrier General Hospital. Many thanks to all.
Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department
Ambulance Policy – Charges
Transport to Pocahontas Memorial Hospital only – $25.00. Base Fee plus $1.00 per mile after 15 miles one way. No charge if fire fee is current.
Transports
$22.00 base fee plus $1.00 per mile one way.
$14.00 per bottle of oxygen.
If a special nurse is required, billing will be separate and made by hospital.
$15.00 for each additional person transported.
Transports to be made to the following hospitals only: Elkins, Richwood, Clifton forge, Fairlea and Denmar.
4-H
Oliver Young, Pocahontas County 4-Her, spent last week at the Tennessee State 4-H Roundup in Knoxville, Tennessee. Oliver was one of two West Virginia 4-Hers chosen to attend the conference.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Garland Young, of Marlinton. He is a member of the Woodrow Hillbillys 4-H Club.
GRANT
The Appalachian Regional Commission approved a grant in the amount of $105, 865 for the operation of a primary care center in Marlinton. Pocahontas Medical Services is the recipient of the grant. The project will serve approximately 6,000 people in the southern Pocahontas County area. The total cost of the project is $243,094. The West Virgina Regional Medical Program (Federal) will provide $32,229, the Benedum Foundation will provide $25,000 and $80,000 is projected as income from fees.
BIRTH
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Loudermilk, of Mill Point, a son, Joseph Allen.
DEATH
Jean Gertrude Pritchard McLaughlin, 74, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charels E. Pritchard. She taught school in Pocahontas County for many years and was a member of Baxter Presbyterian Church and following her marriage, she became a member of Clifton Presbyterian Church at Max-welton. Funeral service at McGraw Funeral Home with burial in Rosewood Cemetery.
