The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-03
A WOMAN WITHOUT LIMBS.
A correspondent Of the Charleston Courier re-

A correspondent Of the Charleston Courier re-
lates the following;
FIAT Rocr, IN, C.) Oct 10, 1888.
Before leaving Asheville for this place, ! made
several interesting excursions fIom The village, one
or two Of which may furnish materials for letter
NV first excursion was 10 visit an unfortunate fe-
male IN humble life, residing at the distance of III
miles from Asheville, utterly destitute Of limbs, and
composed only Of head and trunk. Her name IS
EsTyIER MASSEY; and she Is one OF an illi2rinalc
family of eleven children. Her father has also
Legitimate wife and family Of ten children and The
two families with their respective matrons, are said
TO rect with cordially. This singular being was
borr in her present imbless condition, and has now
attained the age OF 20 years. Her mother and whole
fairly appear to regard her with much tenderness
and affection, and she seems TO possess cheerful
ami happy disposition, which renders her content
with The helpless and apparently hapiess LOT, when
nature has awarded her. Although an object cal
culaled TO excite the wonder, and rouse The sympa-
hies OF her fellow beings, many, who enjoy the full
proportions of humanity, and bountiiul dispensa-
lion Of the good things Of life, will find heir migrate
fol and guilty repining shamed by the equanimiiy,
and cheerful spirit Of this physically imperfect crea
ture, in the midst Of privaon and poverty. have
already said that she is composed OF mere head and
trunk THIS is literally true. She has no arms, and
neither legs nor thighs. Her shoulders are rounded
off and apabe Of motion and on them she receives
the gifts which charity or kindness profeTs her
She is also able TO move about on level, with
kind of waddling motion. Her usual position Is that
of sitting or rather standing upright in a common
chair by rocking which from side side, she moves
about with great facility. She is lble to read, and
for this purpose places the book on her shoulder, or
(Which She prefers) on table before her, and turns
over The leaves with her tongue. Her health has
always been excellent and her mother says, she has
never had occasion for the services of physician
and although she seldom leaves the house and there
fore takes but little exercise, she is now in the finest
and robust health, and is 50 fat, that her body,
(which is largely proportoned) is as broad as IL is
long. Her head Is very large, and her features are
also large and somewhat course yet decidedly good,
and forming n very agreeable tent enscmblc-and her
lip is absolutely pretty, and Of the richest and ripest
red, In addition TO being sociabe and chatly and
witty it Is said she possesses the accomplish.
ment of singing very sweet song. She received
the party, who visited her in company with myself,
very affaby and very graciously accepted our fare
well offering. Some years ago, Yankee, having
met with her. offered TO purchase her OF her mother,
for the sum Of $1,000, speculation This tempt
ing offer was very crediably refused BY the parent
neither her poverty nor her will consented TO The
rattle. The Yankee, however succeeded in per-
suadng her 10 let him take the limbless girl with
him for exhibition shares of the profits, brother
and sister accompanying her. They got, | learn,
as far as Columbia, Is. g. and then returned TO
their mother saying that they not well treated
by the Yankee. warm welcome greeted them at
the maternal hovel, and no other attempt has been
made al exhibition. ..t".