Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-06-14
PatersOn's Infant Prodigy.

The clergy of Paterson, N. j., having
tired of wrestling with each other over
the various modes of baptism, by dip
ping, sprinkling, immersion, and Of dis
cussing total depravity in the abstract,
are combining to devise measures for
the refo. nation of a big-headed infant,
about years of age, who is regarded
by the "unco guid," and even by the
tolerabiy wicked las the very incarnation
of total depravity in the concrete.
George Lee, the infant prodigy, is re-
garded at once as the wickedest and the
wisest boy baby in the State, if not in
the Union. As 10 the wickcdness, the
catalogue is too long for rehearsal, but
among his accomplishments is profani-
ty, in which he is fully the equal of
"Our Army in Flanders;" and tipping.
in which line he can hold his own with
the average adult and with as little in
convenience. But the greatest wonder
of all is the boys head, which is so large
and heavy that his little frame seems
scarcely able to support the weight.
His head has always been of immense
size, nearly as large as it is
now, and it is conceded that
George has known more, when
sober. at any time since he was years
of age than nine out of ten adults select
ed from the uneducated class. Where
his wit and wisdom come from is a mar
vel, for neither his father, James Lee,
who abandoned his family years ago
and went West, nor yet his mother, a
nd, xrh 10
bors daily to support herself and boy,
were ever noted for their superior intel
ligence. From the very cradle he has
seemed to take in, as if by absorption,
all knowledge-of whatever sort-that
has come within his reach.
He comes out especially strong In
language, and already year or two
since would listen to temperance lee
ture or political harangue or any like
effort, and SO vigorous was his memory
that few hours afterward he would be
found perched on a dry-gOoGs box or
some other improvised rostrum rehears-
ing the whole speech to an admiring au-
dience, both matter and manner being
marvelously perfect. The finale would
most probably be succession Of treats
by his listeners, until the bright intelli-
gence was drowned out in beer or
stronger liquor, and this baby bacchanal
was assisted home and to bed like the
most inveterate of old topers. If not
quite so far gone, he might be met with
on the street singing ribald songs in
his queer, piping tones, or dancing to
the music of hand-organ, or glibly
cursing some one who had insulted -
him. The Lees occupy an humble
dwelling in Marshall Street, and George
has been picked up and carried home
so many times that nothing
is thought of it, and it causes no more
than the most ordinary occur |
renee. Despite all his mothers efforts |
to restrain him, at times locking him up |
a prisoner in the house while she is out |
at her work, George continues his
habits and tipples when he can
obtain money, until now, at less than
seven years of age, he may be, ard is,
regarded as q confirmed drunkard.
Recently, when he had been impris-
oned by his mother to prevent his get
ting in trouble, he forced the window in
her absence and jumped from the Sec
1
ond-story window to the ground; and
soon after this enfant terrible was saun-
ering leislirely down the main street,
iouching his hat to his friends and toss
ng kisses to the ladies on the opposite
sidewalk, or in upper windows. A few
lays since Ex-Governor Bedle was en-
ragged in litigation in the Circuit Court
1t Paterson, when he encountered
ieorgie, who has the entree Of all pub
&c and most private places about town.
The Ex-Governor was SO amazed at the
'oy's precocity, as exhibited in his Ian
,uage, logic, elocution, etc., that he
ave him fifty cents at parting. George
vas advised by lawyer friend to take
direct to his mother, to which the be.
otted infant made answer, " No-o-o; l
egard this as providentiai indication