The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-11-07
CHARLOTTE, n. C., NOVEMBER 7, 1889.

A Remarkable Prodigy The BeIfas'
I IeIand) Chronicle gives the following ac
count Of David M'keyeney, living 70 thc
I Parish Of Aughagallon, county Of Antum .
He was born without arms or legs, bay
! only two short slunp4 10 place Of arm.
% As to the legs, one is only few niche
] ~, with a dlmuutve, shapeless foot
without any joint intervening, 50 as 10 form
thigh and leg. The other is almost as
long as 10 middle sized man, bu, greatly
delormcd
lttsextraorduary what this decrcph man
can perform, as there IS scarcely any lob ia
the farm yard be cannot do, VIZ he can
thrash, aud has done 50 tine whole day be.
fore a hired man; he can harness aud uu
harness horse, clean stable or COW house,
teller COW; tie up with the srumps, and
throw on his shoulders bundle Of clover
and grass, 100 ID ia weight; he can shave
himself hoiduI the razor M h,s toes, also
use the hul!e or fork 10 the same manner 1;
he caa dress and undress himself without
any assistance, balance cup, or howl, On
the ilat Of one Of the stuRgs, drink out oil
II, and lay ii down IN safety; be can assist
at the breakfast table, helping his mother
10 draw water, llii,ng the kettle of bul3ug
water with his toes, aud has occasionally
helped himself 10 a cue out Of the teapot 10
the same manner. These are oul, tcw
specimens Of his bodily actions, which are
lal surpassed by his mental powers. Il was
unfortunate for himself that he never receiv
edo ny education for, by the power Of mem.
DRY alone, there IS scarcely any arithmetic.
al question he cauuo' solve, aud q great ma
ny mathematical ones, many specimens Of
which he can describe aud It is truly anus
ing, and wonderful, ie hear hlm do 81, ow
,ug 10 the astonishing stretch OF memory
required on some Of those occasions"
Water aud Ice Prodlce Fire.-Throw
a piece Of potassium, about a. large as
pepper corn on the surface Of water in +
basin, aud the instant tho metal meets the /
water, Is bursts into & lne with slight +
explosion. Il can,.aurs 10 buru unal the
whole Of the potassium IS consumed dart
To-, lrum enc side Of the vessel to the other.
o. runrng % and fro on the surface * the
water very rapidly 10 the farm o. red hot 4
IRE ball LEA piece of potassium be piacrd I
% ice, Il instantly takes fire. burns With /
bright time, and meits deep hole in the 7
ice. this curious phy la.neuun ~ ea7I-fs1--55
~ TIC gTrat ~~tuTHty whtch The potassium
has to oyygln, 10 consequences OF which e
dec0mposes water and ice combining ouh
such intensity az 70 produce heat AID high, /
AUD sei ere 70 ,he hydrogen, which Is hber
a,rd. The result 81 the combustion o. tn
.ae.al % thn alkJl potns,a, ahich IS ,hu- .
shown to be oxide Of the metal potassium.
Substitute for a Compass We have
heard i said that before the invention 81 4
he Manners Compass, a Scotchnan once
layed 40 English vessel tha, had been dnv
20 of the coast bg lnveuilug compass for
he Anxious captain, at "a moments notice
-one which be SAID was never known to
'ary. II vas thus: Sawuey applied q fae
odihed comb to his own head, aud was
ucky enough to euirap Que Of those insect
riDc which are destitute OF wings, and ay
ng the little captive down uDon a sheet Of
White paper observed, Watch thai tcI
oH' motions weei m0u-ior u De hanged
{ you ever saw Scotch louise that did net
rayel South.