American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-03-26
From The Pdntdsrdph.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY "JERKINGs."

a correspondent of tho Pontiac
News gives description Of these sin
gular manifestations. He regards
them as a nervous affection, produced
by strong impression upon the mind;
and thinks there is a sympathetic in
tluence making them contagious TO some
extent. The facts connected with
their appearance he gives as follows ::
"Five or six weeks since, during a
protracted meeting held by the Meth
odists at Indian Grove, several persons
were seized Immediately after convcr-
sion, with what are called the jerks
that is contraction and expansion of
the muscles, that caused the arms to
move suddenly either horizontally, up
and down, or obliquely, and with such
a rapid motion as convinced every one
thatit was done involuntarily. ..-s
"After lapse of few weeks, a
similar meeting was commenced at A.
voca and with similar results. Each
evening, for several evenings, the num-
Der of jerkers increased, until it is sup
posed that there were as many as fifty
seized with this strange disease, and
what makes it seem quite singular is,
each one differed from another in Jerk
ing; no two jerked precisely alike
One was seen Jumping violently with
both feet--another dancing-another
shaking tho head--another reeling
backward and forwards another still
from side to side some jerking both
hands and feet, and others performed
strange commissions .indescribable-5
some clapped their handsome laugh
ed heartily--another made noise sim
liar to a puppy, and yet another gave
forth chuckle similar to a demonac.
The dancing, clapping of hands, and
some other motions, were called forth.
generally only as the shouting and re-.
spending became boisterous. -
"All this witnessed by hundreds
and yet not one who was a close OBJ.
server will declare that he thinks any
OF this feigned or within the power of
the victim Of this strange phenomenon
to control. Indeed persons from time
to time seized the jerkers by the arm
and tried to prevent it, but found it
impossible. Many of them at home
or abroad, asleep or awake were in mo-
ton. None Of them seemed at all in
sane-they were generally in happy
frame of mind and some declared they
were never so happy as when jerking
hardest. So intensely were some Of
them exertcd, and so violent tho action
OF their limbs, that when in meeting,
water had to be passed constantly to
them, while the perspiration con-
stantly rolled down their checks"
The celebrated Lorenzo Dow has an
interesting account of the jerks, in his.
journal Of visit to Kentucy and Ten.
nessoe in the early part of 1904. Ho
says they appeared first near Knox
vile in August last to the great alarm
of the people" He first saw some
slight appearance of them at Newport.
Thence he proceeded to Sevierville,
and here we quote from his journal
II began to speak to vast audience
and | observed about thirty to have
the jerks, though they stroye to keep
as still as they could. These motions
we're involuntary and irresistible, as
any unprejudiced eye might discern.-
Lawyer Porter (who had come con.
siderable distance) got his heart touch
ed under the word, and being inform.
ed how | came to meeting, voluntarily
lent me horse'to ride nearly one hum
dred miles, and gave me dollar, tho
he had never seen me before.
"Honc6 to Maysville, where spoke
to, about one thousand five hundred:
many appeared to feel the word, and
about fifty felt the jerks, At night
| lodged with one of the Niceolitcs, a
kind Of Quakers, who do not feel free
to wear colored clothes. / spoke to
a number Of people at his house tn IT.
night. Whilst at tea, [ observed his
daughter, (who sat opposite to me at
the table, to have the jerks, and drop.
ped the tca-cup from her hand in VIC.
lent agitation, said to her Young
woman, what is the matter? p She re.
piled i have got the jerks" / asked
her how long she had it. She obscry-
ed, GA few days" and that it had been
the means Of the awakening and con,
version Of her soul, by stirring her up
to serious consideration about her care.
less state, &c.
"Sunday, Feb. 10, spoke in Knox.
vile, to hundreds more than could get
in the court'house--the governor be.
ing present. About one hundred and