Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-01-05
AN INFANT SMOKER.
A YOungsicr who has Averaged Fifteen
Cigars Day Since the Ege of
Fourteen Months.

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Springfield (O-) special: While making
the rounds last evening, your correspond
ent was much amused to see a little boy,
apparently about four years OF age, who
was putting away at huge black cigar
with all the noachatdnce of the most habit
ual user of the weed. On being informed
by several neighbors standing near that
the boy has been a confirmed smoker
since the age of fourteen months, the re-
porter determined to investigate the case.
The New York Herald recently published
a column description of little boy in
New York City who was regular smoker
at the age of five, but the peculiarities of
that case are lar exceeded by the one in
question.
The little boys name is Petey Spangen-
berger, son OF John Spangenberger, the
well-known saloonist of 81 East Main
street. When asked about it the father
seemed proud of his sons accomplishment,
and gave the reporter the following ac-
count of the commencement of the habit:
When the little boy was an infant in
arms, fourteen months of age, a cigar was
given to him once in fun by one of the
customers in the saloon. Instead of grow
ing deathly sick and dropping it, the lit
tie fellow clutched it with his babyfingers
and seemed to enjoy it, smoking it to
the very end. From that first cigar
his taste for smoking commenced, and
from that day the c, Id cried for cigars SIS
an ordinary child c. les for candy. The
taste seemed to take such a terrific hold
on his baby appetite that he was soon
smoking all the time, one cigar after an
other, until he reached the appalling num-
ber of twenty per day. Nothing else
would pacify him, and he would cry Bit
ter 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 physician,
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 parents
allowed free rein to their child's appetite,
and he has been a habitual smoker from
that day to this. Pipes, cigars, cigarettes,
everything OF smokable nature that fell
in his way were eagerly devoured. He
commenced to chew also, but this second
habit was promptly prohibited by his
father, who judged that injury would re-
suit from it.
The little boy is now in kilt suits, and
will be four years old on the 9th of next
February. His habit attracts unbounded
amusement and admiration from the pa
irons OF his fathers saloon, and many are
the cigars which fall to his share from Gus
toners who desire to see him smoke. For
the last few months he has averaged only
from ten to twelve cigars a day., and
smokes slower and ems to enjoy it
more. His parents claim that the habit
has cured him OF chronic diarrhea with
which he had been afflicted from birth.
The little boy was shown to the reporter,
who was surprised to find a fat, chunky
little fellow, with pronounced German
appearance, aud the fat hanging in ropes
| from his little checks. He seems OF a
lively, jolly disposition, and betrays not
| the least trace. OF nervousness. The pa
rents attribute hls fatness to the smoking,
as he avoids all fat foods in eating, and
never drinks wine or beer. He will only
smoke one particular brand OF cigars-a
very black, strong variety-and it is eX-
tremely amusing to see him toddle down
in the morning and demand a cigar from
his papa. This obtained, he will light it
with the most profound gravity, and
puff away with the air of a man oi
fifty. The only peculiarly about him
is his old ways, his every action
reminding one of the most dignitied
adult. Ills brothers and sisters show not
the least disposition toward tobacco His
parents are both wholesome and hearty
Germans. DIR. Mclaughlin, of this city
who examined the boy recently, assures
your correspondent that all his functions
are in normal condition, and his nervou,
system fails to exhibit the slightest trace
of the tobacco or nicotine influence. He
considers that the habit has become sc
natural that the effect of the poison is lost
On the boys system. The parents believe
that the tobacco has saved their sons
life. and announce their intention to con
tinue the child's qualification of his appe
tita