Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-21
The JampIaE Frenehmen Of Canada.

on the Jumping Frenchmen,' from the !
pen Of Rev. N. R. Keep, who says that this
singular phenomenon pervades probably
third or fourth part Of all the men among the
Madawaska French who are known as 'Jump-
ers" or dumping Frenchmen,9 terms that are
quite familiar with all who have any ac-
quaiutanes in the settlement or with. the
men who came from there.
'sHowever this phenomenon may be ex-
planned the certain fact is, that during the
spasm they have no personal control Of their
actions, nor do they act out anything before
thought Of as in the case Of ether or exhil-
Grating gas. In social parties of either men,
or mixed sexes, it often serves as the means Of
much merriment. Sometimes when a man
has hold al d is ready fora large hf, jump
ing start viii ''put him through" a good Job.
I Those who understand the matter and prac-
tioe on their victims can tell them what 70 do
in the same ilstantof giving them the sud
den start and they viii do il no matter what
( it is. at Fish River Mills they have Jumped
Out Of a boat in the middle Of the river
Some one on shore would, on sudden, tell
them 70 throw their paddle, snd then jump
out Of the boat OF canoe, and they would do
both where the water was ten feet deep and
ice running.
sThe meaning Of it is, that they are vic
Tins Of sudden starts or frights, and involun-
tary uncomfortable spasmodic jumping, ac-
companie6 with an involuntary unesrthly
scream, all Of which to strangers not accus-
toned to the phenomenon is mysterious and
frightful. It is hard calculating the length
Of time that the spasm continues; it is but
little more than momentary, though it seems
long sometimes on account Of the painful
sensations endured bT the victims and the
ISLANDERS. s7,et
II we are not mistaken, the prcPortion
Of Jumpers, snd their aptitude for the busi-
, ness, has very much Increased since our
American lunhermeE have had the opportu-
, nifty 70 practice them, though they are mDch
, IN the habit Of practicing each other, and the
more they are jumped By design and sudden
, starts, the easier it becomes 70 make Them
jump. The involuntary action is violent, and
often such a tax upon their strength thai
: they feel It for some time afterward. In
: many cases it is seriously huTtiul. The vic
( tins dread il, and will often beg Of theil
Z comrades not to jnmp them, and when they
b know what is coming and see the person.
Z that have such Intentions, their dread Of tn
u spasm and their efforts 70 avoid It seems t
Z increase their liability.
There is q general sameness nthe move
: ment with different victims, with only a dif
ference in tie degrees Of intensity and VIC
lenee. II the victim IS standing and no on
u near him, the jump is directly mp, with bot
= ?. hands stretched upward. II any person
I within reach, they are apt 10 seize them b
4. the throat Witka dangerous grip, no matte
Z who il Is, the best friend OF the most revel
81 end priest If they happen tohave anythin
Q in hand they throw Il land It often happer
70 be an axe or ether dangerous tool) into Ii
= face and eyes Of q bystander. At Portal
Lake, Mr.. Blade once had Two Frenchmen
work for him, the one jumping the other e
Il o blow with 40 axe in the face and eyes, ar
IS. WIS laid up a i6rtnight or SO. He hhd bee
% ,e- iamping his fellow Frsnchman an winte
sel and said be only intended to jump him th
y Snes more and theHsl0p.R p