The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-19
A MONKEY BABY.
An Odd Eight Year MOnstrosity Discovered
in the Wilds of Fulton County, Pa.
McConnellsburg Special.

McConnellsburg Special
Julius Caesar, what was that2" exclaimed
an ore prospector to the reporter, as the horses
SHE'D to one side of the township road which
was broken only for single track, little broader
than the Dispatch when opened, and on either
side lowered PeGon on Ossa of snow on which
the rains and sleet had fallen and the siding
hill breezes had blown until any departure from
the beaten course meant certain disaster. The
next moment the prospectOr and the reporter
We're precipitated against the icy ledge opposite
and the team and uptu1ned sleigh tearing
through the icy canon in miniature, After re-
gaining our feet the cause of what appeared to
be very unfortunate event was seen running
and jumping along a stake-and-rider fence in the
direction of the fleeing and thoroughly fright
ened horses, making the angles of the fences in
squirrel, or rather monkey like movements
Before we had decided on our course or made
any Roadway in solving the problem propounded
by the prospector is above, our team hove in
sight, accompanied by regular Licking creeker.
The first question put to him was "What
the deuce was that that frightened the team,7
what was he hkel Had he any clothes
on!" was the reply of our uncouth delverer,
who apparently half knew the cause Of the
contretempS.
He looked like little devil in a red flannel
nightshirt.' responded the ore man.
''Oh, that were Fur Mellott's monkey-baby.
Would you like fur to seehiml7
On expressing ourselves in the affirmative.
and rewarding man with liberal pull o
Gap" We all three started for the residence of
], F. Mellott, short distance from the road.
On nearing the story and a-half log house, the
monkey baby again appeared much to the con
steration of the horses. This time it climed
nimbly up the corner of the house, ran along the
comb of the roof and disappeared through some
opening. Our guide, without any preliminary
announcement opened the door, ushered us in
and told us to be seated a couple split-bot-
TOMS Scarcely had conversation been opened
when noise behind us attracted our attention.
The object of our visit was descending a ladder
sideways. 1t took a look at us, jumped on the
hot stove (which evidently fastened his move
ments somewhat, caught on the elbow of the
pipe swung himself through an opening cut in
the logs, and once more disappeared. j. F.
Mellott (''Fur), the father of this monstrosity,
claims that several years ago, shortly before its
birth, his wife visited a circus in McConne1ls-
burg, and while standing near one of the cages
was caught by monkey and badly frightened,
and spoke of it with feelings Of dread up to the
birth of this creature, which, although over eight
years old does not bear name. He was dressed,
when cutting his imp-like capers around US,
in the only style of dress he can be persuaded to
wear-a long grown of strong home made stuff.
His likes and dislikes are expressed by chatter
of more or less vehemence, and he is allowed
unlimited freedom a little too much, one of the
relatives thinks who was thrown from a colt
that was frightened by the sudden appearance
of the monkey baby year or two ago, and
his arm broken and head split open This sub
ject for a museum is shaped about the head and
face like a monkey, with the same twinkle of the
eyes. The hands and feet, too, closely resemble
those of that animal.