The daily gazette., 1878-09-21
Babies by the Litter.
THREE MOTHERS WITH ONE BuNDRrn
ANN rxuEr xyu r,r,, ,.,x

upon being Admitted to a neat little cot
tage on the corner of NJ and Fourth street s
southeast, yesterday.
| "That's my name," replied the lady
who opened the door. "Ilave seat sir
iThe Post man accepted the proilered
chair, and, turning towards the lady, OBJ
served that she was above medium height
of full figure, not more than fifty years
of age, and, though fleshy, active. Her
hair was sprinkled with gray, and the
only eye she was possessed Of blue. That
she enjoyed good health and fine con-
stitution her whole appearance indicated,
and her manner was that ofa woman who
was confident she could take care of her
self.
| "Mrs. AUSTIN" began the reporter,
"the Post sent me to interview YOU"
"About what? Oh, know, about the
children I've had. Amt that it?"
| "Thats it precisely, madame"
| "Well, I'll tell you all about 1t, Pm
not ashamed Of it. I've given birth to
forty-four children, and I'm not an old
woman yet, am l? don't feel old, any
how, and don't believe look old. I'm
not quite fifty-four yet, but Pm so near it
| might as we'll call that my age; I'll be
fifty-four years old on the 18th of this
month. Amt young woman to have
had that many childrenf I've had forty
since l married my present husband, and
he's right out there in the back yard now
Stepping towards the rear door she called
out, civilian, come in here!'
Then she resumed her seat near the re-
porter and, rattling right on, said:
"My husband don't like me to tell
about the children I've had, but | will do
it. He is ashamed oft, but amt. Iln
proud oft, and why shouldn't be? I've
got cause don't you think SOP"
The reporter replied that he had seen
people very proud of single child, and
on that principle Mrs. Austin certinly
had right to become ecstatic of forty
four. Just here gentleman entered the
room, and Mrs. Austin, pointing to him,
said:
"That's my husband and forty of my
children helongedto him. Now, William,
you needen't shake your head at me; Pm
just going to tell you all about it. say
It's nothing to be ashamed of. Then why
shouldn't l tell him if he wants to know?
Yes, sir (turning to the reportaD, I've
had triplets six times and twins thirteen
times. / never had less than twins at a
time"
"How many of all these children lived,
Mrs. Austin?'
"Only eleven of them were born alive I;
all the others were fully developed, but
were dead at their birth. Why, I've got
sister only forty-three years old and she
had twanty-six children and eight ofthem
are living to-day. Her names Garry
Kiuny, and William there-my husband
has got a sister that's had fOrty-one
children, and ten of 'em are living yet.
She brought eleven of'em to this town"
"Does she hve here now~
"No; she's moved to Connecticut
What's the name of that place your SIS
ter went to, William? Oh! | know now
Norwalk That's pretty good for one
family, amt it? Where can you find
another family with three women that's
had as many children as me and my sister
and my husbands sister"
care you a native of Washington, M rs.
Austin ?"
"No indeed. was born in South Caro-
lima and raised in Tennessee. My grand
fathers name was 1rby, one of the big
families of South Carolina. | come of
j Ohm G. Klink, a printer. He published
a paper in Memphis before the war
Castey Youne knew him well. Every
body in Memphis knew him. Iye been
through the war, ii you want TO know
about that. l enlisted in 1862 in Tennes-
see"
"On which side?"
"On the Union side; I've never be-
trayed my country. I've always tried to
be loyal and God-fearing woman. was
sent to hospital service in the army of the
Cumberland, and I've been right to the
front and taken the wounded off the bat
tle-field. Oh, Lord that was an awful
time. I've been through the storm, |
can't tell you. You see Pm q regular
physician, and have been practding for
twenty-five years. j was one of the first
women physicians who ever practiced;
studied under ,,r. Stone, of New Orleans.
You've heard of him, haven't you? But
know you have, because he was noted
man.
81 tended officers and privates, too,
under Gen. Rosecraus, until after the
army fell back from Chickamauga, and
Then was sent to the valley of Virginia,
and it was up there l lost this eye
touching the sightless socket "1've got
medals for my service, and was given a
regular commission. Ny husband was
ali through the war and was shot all to
pieces Oh, my but ] picked him up
out of the mud once ust torn to pieces.
He had great big hole shot in his head,
and his skull was trepanned with silver
quarter and it's in his head now Come
round here, William, and show that
place"
Mr.. Austin walked round to the repor-
ter and learned over SO that his head
could be examined. The silver coin was
there covering what had been very
ugly wound. During this examination
the interviewer took occasion to study
Mr.. AUSTIN little. lie is about five
feet eight inches high, compractly built
and finely developed; black eyes and
dark hair, and beard scarcely tinged
with gray; well-shaped head and good
countenance. He looked 10 be about
furty-five years of age, and his CONVERSE
ton proved him to be a man of sound
common sense and fair education.
After the hole in his heal had been ex-
amined, Mrs. Austin said "But that
amt all. Show your arm, William" The
husband barred his left arm and showed
where a mnie ball had passed through,
crushing the bone about two inches
above the wrist. His wife next called
upon him to show his injured leg lie
barred his left leg, and IL was literally
covered with scars. At the batrle OF
Stone river the limb had been struck by
a. shrannpl shell and torn almost TO pieces.