The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1859-04-08
A Woman who Never Eats.

A Woman who Never Eats.
For a twelvemonth past, Mrs.
Hays, of the town of Chester, War
rem county, New York, has been
made known to the public through
the medium OF the press, as a very
wonderful woman. The community
was certified that sho had lived two
years without eating. 1t was very
great marvel. But one greater could
possibly bc imagined, viz: a woman
who could live two years without
talking. But in the absence'ot the
latter phenomenon, all quid nuncs
we're satisfied with Mrs. Hayes
she was not only an inexplicable
puzzle, but an out-and-out miracle.
Much Of her time was spent in q
trance. She talked much OF God
and religion, and set herself up for
a phrophetess. Her sustentation che
did not fail TO attribute to the direct
agency of the Almighty in attesta.
ton OF her supernatural mission
Those about her were we.struek. -
Physicians certified to her absolute
abstinence. and committees testified
that they had watched her week in
and week out, the result being their
positive certainty that she ate no.
thing. Thousands of people flocked
to see her, and went away with the
settled conviction that there existed
neither motive nor possibility of de-
ception. The witnesses of her con-
dition were reliable and trustworthy.
Who could disbe.ieve thems Who
could suppose that the prophecies
herself would deceive? The idea
was preposterous. What could a
woman away up in Warren county,
among the everlasting Adriondacs,
gain by cheating people about the
matter other bread and butter. The
thing was ont of the question. Did
any skeptic ask h0,o she could live
80 long without food, he was inform
ed that she did live so. and was not
that enoughs At length, however,
this impressive diSpensation came to
an end. A committee was found OF
little faith. Mrs. Hayes had sent
many previous committees from her
presence, after long and patient
watching. filled with astonishment
and conviction. Consequently her
confidence waxed strong. She de-
sired never to be without a commit
tee to observe her case, and testify
of her miraculous preservation
The other day six gentlemen were
summoned to her bedside for that
purpose. who were to remain with
her, two at time, day and night
for twenty one days, when, as she
informed them, great and miracu.
lous change would take place in hel
condition.
a change, great, but not miracu-
lous, occurred in less time. HeI
watchers caught her in the act o
eating. In fact they saw her re-
calling herself on meat and crackers
Ii is unnecessary to say what fol.
lowed. The explosion of the ex.
Iposure could not be deferred. Ger
titicates, testimonials and facts al
blew up together.
! There lis a strong likeness to b,
observed throughout the whole fam
lily of impostures. Whenever ar
impossible humbuI is proposed a,
an excuse of the public credulity
any one who ventures to suggest
doubt is put down by facts. Their,
are hosts who have seen every mira
Gle with their On eyes. To ques
} tinn the phenomena is to impeacl
their veracity. Do you suggest tn,
inpossibility, tor example, OF tabl
dancing the polka with a chair, yo
. are put down by a shower Of facts. =
A dozen respectable individuals tel
{ you they saw it.
The truth is that in all such case
. there is nothing 80 unreliable az fact;
: The facts adduced are not facts q
all. Whether those who assert ther
| believed their own statements, is
: question hardly worth deciding.
they do, they are to be pitied. VIVA
became of all the facts in the case {
Mrs. Hayes! Disslpated in an in
stant by the apparition of cracker
= and cold corn beef.
-[Neao Yo,h Times