The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-05-06

ing some three miles further on among
the mountains, and that he actually had
not bone in his body. AZ ] expressed
some skepiicism, he volunteered to show
me over TO Hec.or's the next morning
We knocked at the door OF the .Davis
cabin about 9 o'clock next day, snd the
nrst thing that struck my attention upon
entering was . middle sged man sitting
holt upright and supported by rude and
peculiarly shaped frame work.
He was introduced to ne as Hector
Davis. at once entered into converse
tion with him. and discovered him to be
a man OF lair intelligence and eager to
tell all about himself, in voice that wss
as strong ss my o~u. I grasped his
hand upon 6rst entering. but his Singers
all rolled up together like cabbage leaf
In Q mushy sort OF way that made me
glad TO let go OF them Taking hold Of
his limbs they yielded to the pressure
until they we're aattened out 20 twice
their proper width. The only INDIGESTION
OF bone was In his skull, which, while
pliable almost - shoe leather, still offer.
ed . kind OF protection to the poor fell
lows brain.
HIS neck Was ~ timber - dish cloth,
and when his head was released from its
support, which was something in the
shape OF similar contrivance used In
photograph galleries. It rolled belpiessly
about upon bis shoulders like football.
His arms drooped at bis side, bat with
the aid OF the muscle be Vas enabled to
partly raise the forearm, although the
hand curled over Imply snd gave the
whole sort OF zigs,g shape. He shut.
ded OF his slipper aud requested me to
step on his foot ] did 30. and it ct once
spread itself cut until II looked % II q
railroad train had passed over Il. I,
slowly resumed its natural shape, but it
was fully half hour before he was able
to get the foot 10 the slipper again.
"Perhaps you would like to tie my leg
in knot p he suggested.
found no diinculty in performing this
feat, while my friend accomplished the
same with the other leg. and after w
had also tied knots ir both his srms hs
presented very knotty problem. indeed
and one that would have set . profes.
sioasl consortionist crazyJ
When We had unravled all the knots
sna straightenei his limbs again. he re.
quested us to lift him upon the foor
This We found no easy task, for bis body
clipped around In our arms like % eel
and IL wss only by securing frm grir
upon his clothing that We managed te
keep-him from falling. We finally sue
ceeded in strengthening him out upon
the door, and toen my friend, who seem,
ed to thoroughly understand the bone.
less mans programme, seiSed . barre
standing near. and which l afterward,
learned contained tulnips, and swi.tly
upending i, ct once proceeded to roll 4
over the PROSTATE Davis, from his toe'
up to his chin, and back again to BIZ
toes.
The only manifestaiion OF pain b,
made was when the barrel passed owe
his heart and lungs, but 1t left him IN /.
horrible shape. / can only describe j
by comparing it 70 that Of man mad,
OF muti and then thrown up and fattenet
against the wall But had no time tt
contemplste HIS nstness. as be almos
Immediately called to us 10 q rather veal
voice to troll him up." This We pro
cseded to do BY doubling bis head Owe
his chest and then containing to ''rol
him up" as you would . carpet. until b,
came to his feet, snd he formed periec
cylinder about as large around as q hal
barrel. A voice feebly piped from th,
center oi the cylinder for rs To- unrol
him. and We soon had him once NOR,
spread out over the door.
While bis body was resuming he for
mer shape learned from his old, spec
tacled mother. who had %. during al
these proceedings knitting in her rocking
chair, that Hector, who Vas forty year.
old. bad always enjoyed excellent health
and provided we'll for her until the be
ginning OF his peculiar afiliction two
wears ago. He frst observed softenins
OF the bones Of the toes and this rapid,
spread to oil parts OF bic anxtomy, al
though. beyond making him helpless, h,
never experienced any Inconvenience
from It. All bis vital organs performed
their functions properly, and she believ
ed be would live to good old aga. Sh,
had younger son, then 10 the Held q
work, who assisted her in handling him
altogether thev got along quite comfort
ably. She did not knaw what the doc
tors might think OF Hector, - she .hat
not seen doctor up in them thar bill.
for nigh onto twenty yeaf." After my
friend and had replaced the boneles.
man in bic framework, We bade hiu
good bye and came away.