Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-10-02
Curious Fact.

Recently we published paragraph from
an Alabama paper, stating that slave OF Mr..
John III. Hundley had three children at a
birth, two of whom were black and one
white. The fact coming to the knowledge
of our scientific townsman, Peter A. Browne,
Esq, who has been making many interesting
researches and investigations into the differ
ent characteristics of hair and wool, induced
him to address the owner of the slave, with
a view Of obtaining specimen of the pilous
covering Of the heads of the children. Mr..
II. politely complied with his wish, and sent
him specimens of the fathers and mothers
hair, and of the two black children, and also
q specimen of that of the white child. The
result of Mr.. Brownies investigation estab-
lished the curious fact that the white child
is black Albino, its pile being just as much
wool-the characteristic of the negro-as that
of the two black children, who are pure ne
groes from a pure negro father and mother.
We have here the solution of phenomenon
which has sometimes COMPOUNDED the physi-
clan, and which he has been disposed to ex-
plain by the presumption of intercourse with
both white and black, on the part of the
mother. In some instances, this presump-
ton may be correct, but the practical utility
of Mir. Brownies investigation is, that doubt
in such cases may be settled determinately by
an examination of the pile. Wool and hair
are certain distinct characteristics of different
species of the human race, andEEterchanged
between such species generatively is as per-
manently and distinctly marked in the pile
as any other characteristic feature in the cross
ing of breeds. l..
The fact is important, not only in determi-
ming physiological questions which frequent
ly arise, medically and legally, but it is Of
the deepest interest to the agriculturist. II
brings the subject of wool-gro wing within the
domains of science, and enables the farmer to
produce a growth of wool with as much GER
tainty Of its quality as Of any other crop which
he cultivates. The intelligent labors of sci
ence in the investigation Of physical laws al
ways result in benefit to mankind, and those
who devote their time and talents to such
discoveries are the real philanthropists of the
race. Ignorance sometimes raises laugh a
the expense of the natural philosopher be.
cause of the seeming insignifcance of the OBJ
jects which engross his attention; but every
fact discovered in science is an addition to the
sum of real knowledge available to man, and
promotive often Of the very highest interest.
OF the human race. .4
The woman who is the mother of thest
children has given birth to fourteen children
five of which are white, all we suppose Abb
nos, and nine black. She had twins once
both of whom were black. The woman anC
her husband are 10th of the same color, which
is quite dark. They are both pure Africans
Some of the children are blacker than tn
parents, but the white ones are as perfect,
white as any of the Caucasian race. TIL
phenom enon Of an Albino we believe is re
ferred by Psychologists TO diseased condi
ton of the individual, by which the perso
is deprived of the coloring matter of the ski
and hair.