The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-02

never returned. Upto the time Of the
visit of the hunters Parks had lived
alone 10 the mountains with his wild,
mute, idiotic children. II he had occa-
sion to 20 away he always tied Bill up
in the house with q strong rope, for
fear he might kill Melyina. Parks said
he found them great burden and their
care interfered with his studies, Sur
rounded by wretchedness and filth, the
father OF these brute like offspring had
learned the Bible almost by heart, being
able to repeat whole chapters at will
from any portion OF II, He was also
we'll yersed in history and mathematics.
and had invented a system OF shorthand
writing which he used with wonderful
dexterity. He exhibited specimens of
penmanship executed by himself which
were really elegant. He also recited
selections from Shakespeare in manner
that astonished his hearers. he said
he regretted his wife's absence very
much, as it prevented him from inyes-
tigating an important chronological
theory OF his.
The hunters left, finding it difficult
to credit even what they had seen and
heard. When the news Of the "wild
family" became known the farm was
besieged with callers, and two enter
prising individuals conceived the idea
Of securing the family and exhibiting
the wild mutes about the country.
Parks was willing TO engage in the en-
terprise, and leated.h his unfortunate of
spring for the purpose. He accom-
panied the exhibition, lecturing upon
the circumstances attending the lives
Of his children and himself. The mutcs
were taken about the country for few
weeks, but the speculation proved o
failure, and they were returned TO the
wilderness. Removed from restraint,
they tore TO shreds the clothing that
had been placed upon them, as soon as
they reached home.
After the first excitement created by
the discovery Of this family had died
away they were forgotten. The arrest
and incarceration Of one OF them has
again brought them forward, and re'
yealed still more sickening chapter IL
their history.
Parks, the father, says that after
their return home from the exhibition
tour, Bill became more and more VIC
lent in his temper. He made several
deadly assaults on both his sister and
father. A few months after their return
Melyina gave birth 10 a child. This
child she and Bill killed in the woods
and tore II TO pieces. Not long after
wards Bill attacked his sister and killed
her with an old knife that Parks used
TO cut up pumpkins with. Parks buried
his daughter, and ever since that time
he has lived in deadly fear OF his son.
One day Bill attacked his father,
knocking him down with a club. The
old man got away from him, however,
and came for m officer to arrest him.
Two men went to Parks's place, and
succeeded, after n. struggle, in captur'
ing him. They put suit OF clothing
on him and brought him to Tunkhan-
mock, md lodged him in jail. As soon
rs he was placed in the cell no tore Oh
his clothing, and is now perfectly
naked. Hundreds have focked to the
jail to see him. The wild, mute, maniac
son will doubtless be sent to the insane
asylum to spend the rest Of his days.
II seems incredible that in this en-.
lightened age, within the sound, rs it
were, OF the church bells Of populous
town, such a case OF utter deprayity
and wretchedness could exist. But the
above are the facts, which can be sub.
stantiated by plenty of reliable wit
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