The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-10

line Butte M. i. MINER says IL IS not
generally known, but it is nevertheless q
fact, that on lower Willow creek, not
many miles from Butte, resides q woman
different from all others of her sweet sex.
She is probably the only woman known
to ancient or modern times who, pos
sessing the natural feminine ability to
talk studiously, abstains, with q perse-
verance truly admirable, from express
ing herself on any subject. For fifteen
years, except on one occasion, she has
not uttered word even to her nearest
relations. Her organs of articulation
are perfect, and the friends of the strange
lady entertain not the slightest doubt of
of her speaking capabilities were she dis
posed to exercise them.
It is the impression Of those best &C.
quainted with the history of this phe-
nomenal woman, that her absolute re-
fusal to speak results from disap-
pointment in love while she was yet in
her teens. Fifteen years ago, in the
classic State of Missouri, Miss NJ,
then beautiful and accomplished girl
of sixteen summers, became the object of
q young neighbours affection, which she
reciprocated with the full strength Of her
impressive soul. He told his love and
they became secretly engaged. But the
news was too good and fraught with too
much future happiness to keep, and it
was accordingly communicated to the
young girls parents. Then for the first
time in her budding womanhood o cloud
arose to cast shadow on her so far con-
tented existence. The parents, for
reasons which they doubtless considered
good and sufficient, sternly and relent-
lessly withheld their consent for the pro-
posed union Of two loving hearts. More
than this, they ordered the young gallant
to cease his attentions, and their decision
was irrevocable. Soon after this the fam
lily moved to Montana, and since the day
of their starting the young lady, now
grown to q woman of thirty years, but
still comedy in form and feature and ap
parently intelligent, has not articulated
as much as half dozen words. Her long
silence is attributed to intense and abid-
ing indignation at the supposed cruelty of
her marriage, and probably conceiving
words to be useless and inadequate
to express the poignancy of her suffer-
ing, she concluded never to speak again,
far with remarkable pertinacity. She
lives Will utI puIeutS VI VAAOW SIcChs
as before stated, occupies room by her.
self. refuses to see strangers, and to all
intents and purposes is absolutely dumb.
Her memory is strong and accurate for
one VINO neither talks nor reads nor
takes other intellectual exercise.
Through the partition of her room she
will sometimes listen to the conversation
of those in an adjoining department, and
occasionally, several days after it has
taken place, it will be found on paper in
her room written out verbatim. A severe
mental exertion is necessary to accom-
plish this feat, and the fact that she is
capable of such exertion is regarded as
sufficient evidence of her entire sanity.
1t is reported that several ranchers on
Willow Creek, convinced of her deter
mination never to speak again, have
made matrimonial advances, but have
been spurned. On the whole the case is
an interesting one, the more so as she is
still young, beautiful and intelligent.