The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-11
Old Mag Oonkling and her Relatives.

Old Mag 0Onkling and her Relatives.
A letter dated Mongaup Valley, Sulli.
van county, N. ", Nov. 2s, to the New
York press, gives the following account of
deni-savage community in that region
which is almost beyond belief Nothing
% equal it eau be found among the Tar
Heels OF North Carolina, or the denizens
Of the Everglades of Florida How can
northern civilization and refinement tole-
rate such blot upon its damask social
eseutcheon2 The letter is as fellows:
Three hunters from the western part Of
Sullivan county were 10 town to-day, and
reported the finding Of the body of an old
woman who had been missing from the
neighbOrhOod Of Mongaup Valley since the
tirst week in November Her death was
tragic one, and was a fitting end to
strange life. Her name was Margaret
Conkling, and she was known throughout
the county as "0ld Mag" She belonged
to large family Of halfsavage people
known as the "De Groats, the q Hinkses, .
the "Henlons," and the "Conklings"
This family numbers about 1915 men, wo-
men and children, and a more degraded
set of persons it would be difficult to lind
in the United States. They dwell 10 small
cabins and caves In the wooded hills Of
Orange aud Sullivan counties, and their
living is made principally by stealing,
hunting and fishing. Some Of them are
expert basket makers, and with huge back.
loads Of baskets, they often descend from
the mountains to the villages Of Sparrow
bush, Port Jeryis, Monticello, Huguenot
and Charlottesville, where they dispose Of
their wares and invest the proceeds in
whiskey and tobacco On these trips they
plan robberies, and every basket selling
tour is sure to be followed by raid. They
can easily hide themselves in the noun.
tains, and always manage to escape detec-
tion. They are Of Indian descent, and
bear all the facial marks Of their ances.
tors, while their habits are even less de.
cent than those Of their savage progeni,
tors. They inter-marry exclusively, and
no divorce Is needed to separate man and
wife when they wish to be separated The
result Of this is evident 10 the faces and
persons Of their children. Many of them
are idiOtie, some Of them are born without
ears, some without bands, and there is one
singular being, now living in lonely hut
near pond on the western edge of SulIi.
van county, that would be an acquisition
to Barnum's show. This object---for il
can scarcely be called personals neith-
er nose, eyes, nor ears, and only two teeth
In its head. It's feet are dubbed, and It's
hands are more like the fms Of a fish than
human members. Yet this singular crea-
ture lives and seems to enjoy itself Dave
Boyle, well-known hunter in that section
has seen it eat raw fish, raw potatoes and
raw skunk flesh with evident delight.
The mother Of this object is woman six
feet seven inches in height, aud her hus-
band is her own uncle. The mother has a
heavy beard, and the father Is hare-lip-
ped, hunchback dwarf, not quite foar feet
in height.
Such is the family to which aOld Mag
belonged aud among this savage tribe she
was regarded as u sort of queen. She was
said BY them to be the Seventh daughter
Of a seventh daughter and was therefore
thought to be endowed with miraculous
powers Of curing aud fortune-telling She
was withered old bag ofsingular presence,
being nearly six feet nine inches il height
aud exceedingly slim. Her skin was VEL
low, her hair long, black, and coarse, and
her chin was covered with a beard about
three inches long. She dressed herself 10
ladian style, and lived alone in her cabin
on tho shore Of Big Pond, just ID the edge
OF productive cranberry marsh. Here
she was visited last last summer BY large
numbers Of New York aud Philadelphia
people who were spending the summer in
Sullivan county. She told their fortunes
and received presents Of money from them
"0ld Mag would not allow human being
to sleep 10 her cabin, not even one of her
own tribe, and those Of the tribe who visit.
ed her always went prepared to sleep ouI
of doors. These family gatherings were
the widest orgies imaginable. aud NOR,
than one member Of the fraternity hal
been missing after debauch in some liz
tie log cabin IN remote glen on bleal
mountain.
"Old Mag" was last soen alive IN n,
latter part Of October. At that time sh,
visited Mcngaup Valley and Poresiburr
telling fortunes and laying in stock .
tobacco and whiskey. she seemed q b
as lively as ever. One week ailer she Va
seen at the Mongaup Valley Posiotice
haif-witted young man named Hinks. on
Of the tribe, appeared and said that sOl,
Mag amt to hum 20 more, and inebb
she's dead A hunter who heard Of he
disappearance made trip 10 her cabin an,
found il deserted Ga the earthsn Aoor i
one corner Of the only room Iay hal
bushcl Of Balnuis aud cheslnutE. and owe
them hung large smoked ham, strin
Of red peppers, and the deeayed body Of
: fox with the skin sfill on. Nc signs {
"Old Mag could be discovered. Scare
was made but no clue 70 her Was founs
Last Wednesday the three hunters rofo,
ed to--Safa Quick, i member Of The nofel
Tom Quick family. John Wilson. a.
Dave Mefrick-~were chasing deer. Al
were led into swamp about two mile
from sOld Mage cabin. Rushing throue
= half hidden path, Qaiek stepped Oh VIA
be At first took for round stone III
II foot slipped from il. aal ha leIl. He W.
saFpfised e find thai h hid slsbped 81
human skall whieh WIN s'ilI eosassa e Il
fragments Of bloody hesh nna ssscIsa
! ha'r he qniekly called Wilson ana III