Fayetteville Weekly Observer, North Carolina, January 2, 1923

The remarkable propensity of cats, in sucking the breath of infants, has often been spoken of, and has been considered by many as fabulous; but an instance occurred in this town last week which should put parents on their guard against this danger. The mother had left the infant in the care of a domestic – on her return, she was informed that the cat was found with its two fore paws fast encircling the child’s neck, and its mouth in that of the child, which was nearly suffocated; and great exertions were necessary to extricate the helpless little sufferer from it’s perilous situation.

The story was not much heeded by the mother - but what was her horror on being awakened in the night, by the convulsed struggling of the infant, and finding the same cat, in the same position, and the child again reduced to nearly the last extremity! The cat was immediately thrust out the window; and so much eagerness did she manifest to return to her victim that she broke through a pane of glass to effect her object. It was not until the cat made a third attempt on the following day, that she was put to death.