The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-09-10
A MONSTROSITY.
a Child Born with the Head of a Cat and
the Feet of "A Chicken.
TFrom the Joplin (Mo.J Bullotin.l

From the Joplin (NIo.) Bulletin.l
Nature, when in n festive mood, per-
forms many odd freaks, but the most
wonderful of which we have ever heard,
was the birth of strange monsuosity
about two weeks ago, and not half
dozen miles from Joplin. The circum-
stances We're related TO us by physi-
clan whose reputation for truth and
veracity cannot be questioned. At the
request of the unfortunate parents, the
physicians name, as well as theirs, will
not at this time be made public. About
/ o'clock a. m, 23d ult., DR.. - was
summoned to attend Mrs. -, who was
momentarily expected to be confined.
Arriving at the house, he found three or
four women gathered there in a state of
great excitement, and on inquiring the
cause OF their agitation, he was shown to
the bedside, where he found the lady in
state OF great nervous prostration. After
administering the proper remedies, which
succeeded in quieting her nerves, he was
shown into another room, where he be-
held strange looking being, which the
lady had given birth to few minutes
before his arrival. Even the doctor,
who was accustomed to see strange
sights, was shocked at this. Wrapped
i'll its swaddling clothes lay the child. if
child it could be called, weighing about
eight pounds, with a head, whose fore
head was well developed, but whose
mouth, nose, eyes, ears and general
countenance was the exact counterpart
of a cats, though the eyes, from their
dazzling brilliancy, looked like a SER
pents. The body, arms and hands were
well formed and natural, and SO were
the legs as far down as the knees. From
the knees they bore an almost exact re-
semblance to leg of a chicken-the
foot was as near chickens foot as cln
be imagined-and the infant would con-
tract its toes just as a chicken would.
Its head and neck were covered with a
growth of fine black hair, the body and
limbs looked like a chicken when plucked
of its feathers its cries were those of q
cat. Other peculiarities were noticeable,
but, perhaps, it is best not to make them
public ut this time.
1t is said that this unfortunate circum-
stance was brought about in this wise
Some five or six years ago, while the
parents resided i'll another State, the
lady was watching a fight between cat
and rooster in an adjoining yard. Two
boys, aged ten and twelve years, respect
lively, were Watching the contest with
great interest. Finally the cat caught
the chicken by the neck and instantly
dispatched him, the other boy grabbeda
light AK and, uplifting it, rushed toward
the younger, saying ON you
your cat killed my rooster,
and I'll kill you" The younger
brother, in attempting to es-
cape, stumbled and fell. At this stage
of the proceedings, the lady fell to the
floor IL swoon, but recovered only to
pass from one spasm to another, which
continued for several hours. and the re-
suit was the birth of this monstrosity.
The parents wished the child put ont
OF the way by violent means, but, aftera
deal of persuasion and promise of large
sum OF money, the doctor was allowed
to retain it, provided he would never
make its parentage known, or exhibit it
for two years. He has hired an old ne
gro man and wife, who live at an out-of-
the-way place on the Arkansas line, to
raise the infant. Less than a week ago
he heard from it and it was growing
finely. There are other interesting mat
ters connected with this strange case,
which we viii lay before our readers, in
a few weeks. if permitted.