Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-12-23
Seven Babies at a Birth.

The LOUISVILLE "COur1oT-J ournaI prln-
ted special telegram. some days ago. in
which it was stated a woman living in
Jackson county had given birth to seven
girl babies. OF course those who read the
the statement considered it a newspaper
Joke, and dismissed it without further
Thought. I confess that when wrote the
telegram making the startling announce
ment that did so with many mlsgivings
as to it's truth. Since then, however. I
have been convinced that I wrote wiser
than [ knew.
From a gentleman who had just arrived
in this city from the nelghborhood where
this remarkable woman resides. in Jack
son county, learn the following facts.
am under promise to suppress names, as
the husband is peculiarly sensitive on the
subject.
About two weeks since. the gentleman
states, he was appealed to about II O'Clock
at night to 60 for a physician for Mrs. B.
He consented to do so, and having prac-
ticed medicine once himself, accompanied
the physician, on his invitation, to the
house. When they arrived, about mid
night, Mrs. B. was in labor, and prepare
lions were Immediately made to deliver
her. Without going into details, 1t IS suf-
ficient to relate that the child was born,
but singular enough the pains of labor
continued. An examination convinced
the physician that there were two, instead
of one, and the woman was soon delivered
of the second child, both girls. Convinced
of course, that there was no further need
of his assistance, the physician gave GER
| tain directions as to the care of both moth
or and children, and prepared to take his
| leave. Before reaching his horse, howev-
er. at the gate, he was recalled and deliv
| cred the woman OF another girl baby
| Again the physician took his leave, and
again he was recalled, bringing to light
| another girl baby. This was considered
remarkable, and the physician was greatly
puzzlad over the matter. He, however,
Congratulated the husband on his good
fortune and departed for home. He had
not gone more than half mile before he
was overtaken by the excited husband of
| the woman, who in GREATNESS haste in
formed him that there was still another
| child to be born. Fastening back, the
| physician arrived in time to aid in deliver
| ING the woman of her fifth child. The
physician was then prevailed on by the
husband and father to stay during the re-
mainder of the night. He was not slow to
accept the invitation, and sat down to
|
teen or twenty minutes he was again called
to the bedside of the woman, and very
soon the sixth child was breathing the
breath of life. Morning dawned, and, the
| doctor took his leave. Having had no
sleep during the night he threw himself
across the bed, on his arrival at home, and
was soon sound asleep. About O'Clock
he was aroused by his wife, who stated that
Mr.. B. was at the gate, and wanted to see
him Immediately. 49,.
"What's the matter now ?" asked the
doctor. -'-
"Mary appears to be going to-you
know,'' replied Mr.. B.
"What another one 7" exclaimed the
doctor, eXcitedly.
"That's It," said Mr.. B. smile spread
ing his mouth from ear to ear.
The doctor mounted his horse and was
soon at the house of Mr.. B. He was too late.
however, to be of any service as the sew
enth child, girl, was born just few min
utes previous to his arrival. The doctor
remained about the premises during the
rest of the day, but his services were not
again needed.
The gentleman who made the above
statement, and it is given almost in his
exact words, says he has seen the seven
babies several times, and while not large
weighing from four to five pounds each
they appear to be healthy, well developed
children The occurrence has created
considerable excitement in the neighbor-
hood, and the people for miles around flock
to see the woman and her babies. The
husband is described as being small, in
fact, exceedingly thin, while the wife is sale
to be strong and healthy. The physicians
fair. and some are talking of paying the
family visit. A most singular feature OF
I the children is, that all of them have blue
eyes, and SO closely resemble each other
| that it is hard to tell (which from 10th
er. Louisville Courier-J Journal.