St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-05-31
Burns, But is Not Consumed.

Those who do not believe in the old
fashioned hell, as described in Revela.
tions, can ponder over the following ac-
count of a burning boy which we take
from the reporters columns of the New
Orleans Times Democrat of last Sun
day:
Yesterday, however, as the reporter
was sauntering out in the vicinity OF
the Fair Grounds he heard a street ur-
chin, who was all doubled up in his eff
forts to get a better view through a
crack in the fence, say Little Jerry
is ATTIRE again." Finding knot hole,
the reporter closed it up with his in
quisitiye optic, and saw surprising
sight. Sitting there on the back gal
lery of the little house, with his legs
crossed, and in a perfect state of nudity,
was big, fat, chubby boy enveloped in
flame of blush light. He was literal
ly on fire from the sOles OF bis feet to
the crown of his head.
His feet were burning as freely as
sticks of kindling wood; his fingers
were lighted like SO many tapers; his
hair was blazing like pile of fat pine
shavings, and the liquid flames were
running up and down his entire body.
ing at the fame and laughing at the
sensation it seemed to produce. When
he would snap his eyes sparks like those
produced by striking flint with steel
would fly out and scatter in all direc-
tions. Then lie would run his tongue
out, licking up the fire around him, then
puff it out of his mouth in jets and curls
as it it were smoke from a pipe. The
sight was truly a wonderful one.
All of a sudden he gave quick,
strong blow, and all was extinguished,
as if by magic. The reporter was now
dumbfounded, but shortly recovered
and sought the front door bell. 1t was
evidently case requiring investigation.
Quite handsome middle-aged lady an
swered the ring, and, OF being told the
nature of the call, she invited the scribe
in, and told him all about Little Jerry.
She said she was his mother, and that
her husband, John L. HILBERT, was still
alive and doing contract work on the
railroad. Jerry, she said, was the
youngest of three children, and was now
six years of age.
When he was born his very deep car
nation color was the cause of much I'M
easiness to both parents, but the doctor
said that at the worst it could only be
eczema so as soon as his constitution
would permit they commenced to rub
him with all sorts of salves, ointments
and liniments, but Jerry only became
the redder after each application of the
prescribed preventiVes. Then the |
physician said it was some sort of he
reditary complaint, but as no disease |
could be traced back as far as the great |
it was left to be supposed |
,hat the family tree must have been sick |
1t some period of antiquity, then recOv-
sred, only to break out again in little |
Jerry. Jerry, however, grew apace,
notwithstanding the fact that he was
aboring under the disadvantages of
yeighty medical opinions. Every
month found him fatter and of bright /
II vermilion hue, and by the time he
vas three years of age he was aglow
With a red heat.
Just about this time the nurse girl
anne in one morning screaming that
Ierry was on fire and she couldn't put
lin out. The mother ran to her boy
My to find him in a circle of flame.
erry was in full blaze, but was not be-
1g consumed. Water was thrown over
i'm, but to no purpose. Then they
trapped him in blanket, but it was
seless. Jerry continued to burn right
long. The incident created quite a
ommOt1On in the house and battle d the
Ingenuity OF the inmates. just then,
Owever, the door swung open, a gust
t wind came in and Jerry went out.
This was quite relief and gave time
> send for doctor. The doctor came.
nd on hearing what had happened, i'm
ledlately sent for more doctors. Con-
lItatiOn on the subject discovered d
ariety of medical theories and opin- {
ms, none of which, however, seemed to
zach Jerry's case, at least as far as cur I
lg it was concerned. The girl explain l
] that Jerry, at the time of the out {
urst was sitting on the floor, along {
hich he drew his finger. calling to her
} look at the bright spot on the end. 9
he looked and saw the digit burning {
ke a candle. Suddenly it took run
ing start and Jerry was completely in
lmes.
Ever since that day Jerry has been
Inject to catching on fire and seems to / i
10Y the act immensely. A draft Of air q
a sudden puff of wind always puts
N ont, which he can do by blowing on =
mself. 1t is impossible to dress him h
} or for him to sleep in bed like ordi- Eo
Try children. His father has procured
small iron bedstead for his use; he
avs in the rain and stands cold wealth
without either having the least effect
him. His mother laughed at the sug-
stiOn of exhibiting him in public, but .
II allow any one who desires to call
i'd see him at any time.
The reporter called on several of the
linent physicians of the city, and al
ough some of them have already ex-
lined the case, they were not prepared
pass any definite opinion on If. TIL