The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-09-03

some strange stories Taken From News
papers In Various Parts of the COUn-
uy.
Fifteen years ago white spot about
the size and shape of a silver three-cent
piece appeared on the right wrist of
Henry Winston, a full-blooded negro,
then living near Union City, Tenn.
Henry was at that time young man in
robust health. Other spots soon appeared
on the arm and wrist until the whole
body was covered with them. Fearing
lest he had become victim to the most
dreaded of slow diseases, the leprosy, he
went to New Orleans and was examined
in the presence of twelve physicians.
He was assured that his affection was not
that of leper, but further the doctors
could not go. Since then the change in
his skin has continued. He is now liY-
ing on n farm near Columbus, KY, the
father of large family of black children.
The only black places lett upon his per-
son are few spots on his hands and a
mask, as it were, on his face. This
mask covers all parts of his face except
the eyebrows, which are white and
sicaight, like those of an Albino of Cau-
casian blood. The skin of the head. neck
. nd body is of a healthy flesh color
white and soft-and hair is like that of n
white man. The first impression one has
upon seeing him is that he is white
man with his face painted with iodine.
The eyes, however, are unmistakabiy
those of n negro. He is in the best of
health, but does not enjoy his monde
script appearance.
Captain Stone, with whom travelerson
the Mississippi were well acquainted is
the old days, moved from New Orleann
to Moundsville, w. Va. thirty-fve
years ago. Among other things moved
from his old home as reminders of his
life in the sunny land were two seeds
from q mahogany tree that long stood in
his New Orleans yard. In planting the
seed at Moundsville he remarked to
members of his family, who now very
well recall the circumstance, that one of
the seed should sprout and produce his
coffin. One of the seed died; the other
sprouted. In spite of many set-backs,
frowns of the northern latitude and con-
spiracics of the elements, the sprout
flourished and grew apace. sFrom n
shoot it became a sapling, and in the
course of thirty years grew to a fine tree.
About eight months ago q severe wind
storm passed over Moundsville, uptear-
ing, with dozen other trees, the beauti-
tul mahogany in Captain Stones yard.
Captain Stone had the tree dried, sawed
into lumber and sent to Pittsburgh firm,
which, in last June, returned it to him
in the form of coffin. Recently Cap
tain Stone died, and was buried with his
strangely faithful mahogany.
Harrison Meyers killed rattlesnake
five miles southwest of Uniontown, Pa,
near the old Gaddis camp on the noun
tains, the snake being white from fang to
rattle. This unequaled curiosity is de-
scribed by the Uniontown Genius of
Lt6ertysin these terms: The snake was
about two feet long, of clear white eX-
cepting several dim red spots about one
fourth of an inch in diameter along the
back. The snake had some seven rattles,
and on being discovered and attacked
did not display the venomous disposi-
ton so usually manifested by this species
of snake. Mr.. Meyers is reliable. His
brother James was in company with him
at the time. After killing the snake both
young men carefully examined and found
it to be genuine rattlesnake.
While eXcavating for a spr ing for re-
union purposes on the lands of the Rev.
w. II. Mcfarland, near Cambridge, o..
John S. Gallup came in contact with
what appeared to be smooth-cut
stone and dug down to the foot of the
third step, where he found a basin made
in the solid rock that will contain fifty
barrels or more of water. 1t was cleaned
out and a spring is pouring into it from
the crevice of the rock at the rate of
10000 gallons day. There is no writ
ten account of these hewn steps and
basin, and tie Oldest citizen had no
knowledge of their existence. This was
probably an important watering-place
during the mounu-builders' period. At
any rate, it is a subject for investigation
by the antiquarians. 1t is regarded as a
great curiosity and a wonderful discov-
cry and is the theme of all converse
tion.
Little Morton Roberts, the eleven-year-
old son of j. g. Roberts, Of Cincinnati,
was playing on one ofthe banks of the
Li.tle Miami river, near Waynesville,
Ohio, recently, when he found pebble
of remarkable size and brilliancy.
| Pockeuing the thing he presently took it
10 his father, who in turn passed it fol
| examination to Cincinnati diamond
expert. The latter said that the boy had
found pearl. Mr. Roberts there
upon sent it to friend in New York
and it was examined by Tiffany. The
pearl was by him pronounced to be o.
the purest and most intense tints of opal
weight six carats, and market value
$3.50. A purchaser was found in Presi
dent DinsmOre, of Adams EXpres;
Company, and now Morton has $3.50 in
vested for him to draw with interes
when he shall have doubled his present
age.
Captain Lorenzo Dow Lawson. whc
lives about three miles from Crisfield
Md, lost valuable COW a short tim
ago, the death of the animal being cause'
by mosquito bites Mosquitoes hav
been more troublesome around Crisfiel,
this season than has been known 70
many years. During the day and even
ing smothers" are made by the mer
chants and others to drive the pest
away, and at night the smoke is so gen
/ eral as to give Crisfieid the appearance O
being on fire.
Henry T Stewart. of Jasner "a