Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-02-27
A Four Year Old Boy Who Smokes
Twenty Cigars Day. lN


your correspondent was much amused
to see little boy, apparently about
four years of age, who was putting
away at huge black cigar with all the
nonchalance Of the most habitual user
OF the weed. On being informed, hy
several neighbors standing near, thai
the boy had been a confirmed smoker
since the age of fourteen months, he
reporter determined 10 investigate the
case.
The little boys name is Petcy Spang.
enberger, Il son of John SpangenberE-
or, the well-known saloon!st at 81 East
Main street. When asked about it, the
father seemed proud of his sons 40
complishment, and gave the reporter
the following account of the coxer
mer, R1Gss- f.--4si~s 80
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
gtowing deathly sick and dropping it,
the little fellow ciu chcd 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 fsom that day the child
cried for cigars as an ordinary child
cries for candy. The tas seemed to
take such a 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 u physic-
ian, who made a minute examination
of the little follow, and finding no evil
results from the use of tobacco, told the
parents that the habit wou. d do the
child no harm.
Reassured by this statement the pa.
rents allowed free rein to their cliid's
appetite. and he has been an hab tual
smoker from that day TO this. Pipes.
cigars, cigarettes. everything OF a
smokable nature that fell in his way,
were eagerly dcvoured. He COM
mcnced 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 u.
bounded amusement and admiral on
from the patrons If 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 10 enjoy it more.
The little boy WIS shown TO the re-
porter. who was surprised to find a
fat, chunky little fellow. with pro-
nouncei German appearance, and the
fat hanging in ropes from his lite
cheeks. He seemed of lively, jolly
disposition, and bcirays not the least
traces Of nervousness. The parents at
tribute his fatness to the smok :, as
be avoids ali fat food in eating. and nev.
cr drinks wine or beer. He will only
smoke one par,ic alar 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 a 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 peculiarly about him is his odd
ways, his every action reminding one
of the most d!gnlfied adult. His BROTH
ers and sister saow not the least dis
position toward tobacco. His parents
are both wholesome and hearty Geg-
mans. Dr. Mclaughlin, who exam
ined the boy recently assured your cor
respondent that all his functions are in
a normal condition, and his nervous
system fails to exhibit the slightest
trace of the tobacco or nicotine innu.
ence. He considers that the habit has
become so na ural 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
chiid's qualification OF his apretite.--
Springfield, O., Commercial Gazette.