Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-09-22
From he Richmond Hiig.
4 NATURAL CURIOSITY.

VI. EdRor.ln travelling few days since IN M
tive cfanty, Bedford, ! saw prodigy TO which ! wish
10 invite public attention. Tins prodigy is Mr.. Josephus
Henry Chsfin lio Is seventeen years old; is
feet four inches high; and weighs iwcnty three pounds
He was a Llpuiisn sthis birth. For more than five
years he has not grown p.rcepiby, and II is mol likely
that his stature will be increased his in
dcaes that ho has passed the meridian Of life Of his
form owing 10 the ooseness Of his dress, could not
very accurately Judge. His head dlsproportlonaoly
large. but by means monstrous. lie has slight
protuhoranoe his back. Which is not visible through
his clothing; and the muscles which contract the hand
inactive. 10 all other respects, far could oh
serve learn his structure and his functions perfect
lie stands erect, walks and leaps like other bpeds
and. strange 1t may appear he Is adept In pla wing
mar blc-. OF which game he is fond Ills counienanca
grave, intelligent aud pleasant or the powers of his
mind had hut little opportunity tJudging. lie cannot
read but his sun. who has charge OF him. Informed me
that when he school short period, he learn
ed readily. He is fond Of conversation. deemed witty
by his neighors, and has good talent for mimcry.
saw him myself initiate vuiure, summing ITSELF aud
spreading It's wings with striking accuracy and effect
said to him Master Chafiin. II is pity YOU cannot
go school: you might become scholar" Yes" he
promptly replied land teacher too told him was
apprehensve the te boys and girls would oyerun him
No. - said he "thry wouldn't" Aud he spoke with
fTmness which indicated that he n Of author
y hut still was IN great doubt To whether IN
o Instruction among the little urchlns. Master Chafln
with regmeat OF hs peer, To aid him. would be able 10
uleul.ain Il.
Mr. Chall1 profasscs 10 Dc coanDisseur | was in.
irodueed 10 this wonderful at a religious meeting in
his nrglborhood That ! might enjoy good opporu-
mty OF eitivaling his acquaintance. took him my
arm, AM carried him INTO the woods A crowd soon col
leetod around US; among the rest. three Young Indies
lie requested by ot his neohhors TO SC
lect the handsonest, After surveying them very care
fully or time, he pointed the lady 10 HON he
awarded The honor. differed with Master Josephus in
Jadguen but 1t matter OF iasto and perhaps
he right aud was wrong.
have scen the Living Skeleton" have soen an
exact likeness of the Smeso Twins in wax; but have
never srcn any being in human form. nor indeed any
other object, Wonderful, and interesting. az this
dwarf and doubt whether the world has ever seen full
grown small. | should have deemed n sight of
him ample compensation for the expense and toll OF my
trip to the upper country.
Mr.. {. and his relations are poor but respectable
suggested 10 his aunt tho proprc,y OF exhibiting linn in
samt 81 our large cities. The tuught WAS Hai new to
htr hn she seemed scoptcal IA to the result Of tho ex
pertinent, aud shrank from IL with a conmendahe modes
~. believe the public would be greatly gratifed by
the exhibition. And ii am not deceived, when the
knowledge Of this prodigy shall have been d,lliscd
through the community, tho family will be compelled. in
sefdeence, to comply with the general wish for his ex
hibilion
Mr.. Chafn resiies near tho mouth Of Otter river.
twenty miles from Lynehburg, and ten from New Lon
don IL Is TO be hoped that OF tho medical faculty
Will visit him. and furnish the public with more paricu
lar aud correct account of this extraordinary being 1t
proper that ! should state that ! learned, from
various sources IN the neighbarhood that among
the ancestors of this man. there have been several mar
fagos within near degrees Of consangulny
j. b. JETFR.