The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-06-28

Among the human curoslties Of Massachu-
sets Is lately-dlscoyered cannibal He was
found in the township Of Gus, county of Berk-
shire; lives high up in the mountains and fol
lows the callings OF hunter and hcrdsman. lie
is about 30 years old, and somehow got tho
name OF John Smith when he was young. He
and his French wife inhabit an old log hut in
a mountain rift miles from any other human
habltation. His wife caltivates IA small patch
of nearly barren ground, and he herds cattle
on the mountain side for the nearest farmer,
and hunts and fishes at the same time. He has
an ugly habit Of eating his meat raw, and
among his dellcacies Of diet are fish, toads and
snakes He is a confessed cannibal although
he denies ever eating human being in this
country. He says that he once tried to nego.
tate with poor man for his daughter for Ia
BILE use, but the man, poor as he was refused
the tempting offer, He liked the girls looks
and would have eaten her with great relish if
he could have obtained the meat He was
charged with having eaten Il New Jersey man
once but this he denies. A party Of curiosity
hunters lately clambered up the mountain to
see him, and hear what he hau to say for him.
self They found the wretchcd hovel and the
brawny French woman at work on their patch
of ground which they have rent free, on &C.
count OF Smiths services to the owper az
herdsmaX John Smith was just returning
from fish pond with his catch, and the visl-
tors went to meet him. He amused them by
catching toad tina, hoped across his path,
and ate it with an appetite and relish. After
the toad one Of the party offered him bottle
of whiskey to keep the toad down, and he bit
off the top of the bottle and crunched that too,
according TO the account. He was asked if he
was cannibal, and he frankly acknowledged
his love of the human race in that regard, and
longed to crafty his tastes, regretting that he
had no opportunity. He said he was born in
Rhinebeck. n u, never knew his parents and
went to sea when he was fifteen. In the course
of his marine wanderings he was wrecked on
the South Sea islands. He had tobacco in his
pockets, and that rendered him unfit for a can
nbal feast He was spared, became canni-
bal from ASSOCIATION and finally from cultivat-
ed tastes In the course of years-hc doesn't
know how many-he found himself thor
Oughly acclimated South Sea Islander as good
as any native. When he left the islands after
many years he brought away with him the
cannibals worship and appetites. He made
his own idols and finally after many wander.
ings he went up into the mountains of Berk-
shire with his wife and his gods This was
four years ago, and only lately his habits be
gan to attract attention. He built a huge idol
on the mountain side which he calls Bon
DISH" and regularly goes to the shrine to wor-
ship. Three other smaller gods, which he
had, the Christians stole from him. so he built
this big deity who is too heavy for thieves to
carry away. His religion. crude as it is, teach.
es; Thou shalt not steal,' and he thinks
this little bit Of morals ought to bc taken into
the Christians creed.-.St, Lo"jS RepUbiiron.