The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-02-21
A Four Year Old Boy Who Smokes
Twenty Cigars a Day.

While making his rounds recently
your correspondent was much amused
to see little boy, apparently about
four years of age, who was putting
away at q huge black cigar with all the
norohalance Of the most habitual user
of the weed. On being informed by
several neighbors standing near. that
the boy had been a confirmed smoker
since the age of fourteen months, the
reporter determined to investigate the
case.
The little boys name is Petey Spang-
enberger, a son of John Spangcnberg-
er, the well-known saloonist at 81 East
Main street. When asked about it, the
father seemed proud of his sons ac-
complishment, and gave the reporter
the following account of the COM
mencement of the habit: "When the
little boy was an infant in the arms,
fourteen months of age. cigar was
given to him once in fun by one of the
customers in the saloon. Instead of
growing deathly sick and dropping it,
the little fellow clutched it with his
baby fingers, and seemed to enjoy it,
smoking it to the very end. From the
first cigar his taste for smoking COM
menced, and from that day the child
cried for cigars as an ordinary child
cries for candy. The taste seemed to
take such terrific hold on his baby ap-
petite that he was soon smoking, all
the time, one cigar after another. until
he reached the appalling number of
twenty per day. Nothing else would
pacify him, and he would cry bitterly
when not allowed his twenty cigars per
day. Though the parents could see no
evil effects from the use of the weed,
they grew alarmed and called a physic-
ian, who made minute examination
! of the little fellow, and finding no evil
results from the use of tobacco, told the
parents that the habit would do the
child no harm.
Reassured by this statement the pa
rents allowed free rein to their child 8
appetite, and he has been an habitual
smoker from that day to this. Pipes,
cigars, cigarettes. everything of q
were eagerly devoured. He COM
menced to chew, also, but this second
habit was promptly prohibited.
The little boy is now in kilt suits and
| is years old. His habit attracts un-
bounded amusement and admiration
from the patrons of his fathers saloon,
and many are the cigars which fall to
his share from customers who desire to
see him smoke. For the last few
months he has averaged only from ten
to twelve cigars day, and smokes
slower and seems to enjoy it more.
The little boy was shown to the re-
porter, who was surprised to find a
| fat, chunky little fellow, with pro-
nounced German appearance, and the
fat hanging in ropes from his little
cheeks. He seemed of a lively, jolly
disposition, and betrays not the least
traces of nervousness. The parents at
tribute his fatness to the smoking, US
he avoids all fat food in eating, and new
er drinks wine or beer. He will only
smoke one particular brand of cigars
a very black, strong variety-and it is
| extremely amusing to see him toddle
down in the morning before breakfast
and demand cigar from his papa.
This obtained, he will light it with the
most. profound gravity, and puff away
with the air of man of fifty. The on
| ly peculiarity about him is his odd
ways, his every action reminding one
of the most dignitied adult. His broth
ers and sisters show not the least dis
position toward tobacco. His parents
are both wholesome and hearty Ger
mans. DR.. Mclaughlin, who exam
ined the boy recently assured your cor
respondent that all his functions are in
normal condition, and his nervous
system fails to exhibit the slightest
trace of the tobacco or nicotine infu.
| anap He cOnGi6arS that tho he hit h q q
| become so natural that the effects OF
the poison is lost on the boys system.
The parents believe that the tobacco
has saved their sons life, and an
nounce their intention to continue the
child's qualification of his appetite
Springfield, o., Commercial Gazette.