The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1878-04-18
Is1it Deception or Strange PhenO-
smenaf


sixteen and thirteen years, the sons of
Benjamin Washington, who lives in
the vicinity of Central Station, in this
County, were brought to this place
Inst Saturday by County Commis>
sion y ohhst0n. +. f.trhoir Adiseasc tbr. atL
Fiction Gt it is Oither,) is the most
singular we have ever. seen. They
have, S:at intervals, what they call
"'spelIs," and when the "spells" cons
mencc coming on, they begin to growi
like dog-from a growl thoy cons
mence barking, and soon become per-
fectIy furious, biting and swapping at
everything within their reach We
saw one of thom bite piece ont of
the edge of a square post, and also
bite off the end of q shingIe which
was held to him by gentleman pres.
ont. They frequently make at per-
sons within their reach, and it, be-
comes necessary to hold them to pre-
vent their biting. We saw them bite
mou h fuils out Of tho clothes of their
father who WAS present. The only
chnnge We noticed in them from the
actions Of tho dog, was disposition
occasionally to kick like horse. They
would turn their heels towards tho
object OF tboir hatred, and standing
on all-fours, kick with all the power
in them. ..'.
Trial Justic Taylor, who had them
examined bya board of Physicians,
consisting Of Drs. Jas. w. and G. w.
Earle, carried them to his office,
which is Immediately under the Ma
sonic Hall, for that purpose. Directly
aftor conveying them into the office,
the Masons commenced blowing q
large trumpet, which is their custom,
for the purpose Of calling the order
togother, as it was their regular meet
ing day. The sound of the trumpet
seemed to make them perfectly turi~
Gus, and they raved, tarkcd and
snapped until completely exhausted.
They got together at one timo and
fought, and bit pieces out of each
others clothing with as miIch snvagc-
ness as two rabid dogs. Tho eldest
would frequently bat with his head
the partition in the Office, with all the
power in him, backing several feet to
take q start, and went with such force
as to split tho plank, whero it was
grooved. Mr.. Taylor is of opinion
that he wonld have killed himself if
the partition had been solid wall.
The 1ather ofIthe boys, and all the
colorcd people in the noighborhood,
think them bewitched, and the father
says the gun in the rack is frequently
discharged without any one touching
it; that often the links Ct the chains
with which he keeps them confined,
are burst assundcr and the chain.
drop of. He tells many other strange
things which, Of course, are invented
by his superstilious imagination. He
says the, boys havc'been in their pres
ent condition near four years, and he
has frequently whipped them until the
blood ran TO their heels, but it had no
effect whatever on them. They fire.
quently lie as near in the position OF
dog as they can get, and any sud-
den noise or touch will cause them to
rise quickly on all fonrs, with a quick
turn of the head in the direction OF the
"oiso or touch, with blaired eyes and
savage growl. They frequently gath>
er " CHIP, chunk OF wood, or their hat,
IN the'rs mouth and shake it and
grow with all the feroclty of tho dog.
The eldest, who seems to be the worst
on will at times 60 around, smelling
OF each person within his reach, turns
ing his upper lip up to his nose az
though-he did not like the smell,
1hey have many curious actions, all
OF which We cannot .enumerate here
PhysiculIy they appear perfectly
sound. and when thsir "speIlsn are ofF
(Which passes off instantly they con-
verse with as much intelligence as
any colored boys OF their ago and on.
portunIties. They say they know
nothing when tho "sneIIs" ara -,