Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1884-09-15
FOOD FOR FIVE MONTHS.
Kate Smulsey's Extraordinary Period of Fast
ing-A Girl of 20 Years of Age in Fort
Plain Retains Her Hold on Life for 1863
Days without Eating n Morsel

Days without Eating u MOrsel.
Interest in the case of Kate Smulsev,
the young girl who, for 163 days, has
been invountarily starving to death, is
spreading throughout this section of
: the country with extraordinary rapid
ity. Within the past week or two
scores of persons have come to this
village from places many miles away
to see or inquire about this remarka.
BILE girl. To-day she was vely low.
and the members of her family believe
that she cannot live more than Il few
hours longer, Although she has suf-
fered great pain of late she has not felt
any inclination to take any nourish-
ment.
The brother of Miss Smulsey said re-
Gently that her parents and every
member of the family had coaXed and
implored the girl to swallow some food,
but without avail. Even when her
agony caused her body to sway to and
fro with the constant regularity of a
pendulum. she turned her face away
from the most tempting morsels that
could be prepared and said that she
could eat nothing. She was conscious
and able to talk the other afternoon.
Kate Smulsey was a bright and in
duStriOus girl little more than two
years ago. She was then Is years Of
age, and had acquired an excellent
reputation among the good people of
this vicinity as Il dxessmaker. She was
quick and willing, and always had
plenty to do. In July, 1882, she was
taken sick and was confined to her
bed. She gradually improved, and
for a short time was able to be about.
in October, however, she grew worse
and was compelled to return TO the
sick bed, from which she has never
since been able TO rise. The first SYM
ptOmS of her disease was trem bling
and shaking of the right hand, follow
ed by an involuntary motion of her
right leg and foot After while her
head had sidewise movement to the
right. Doctors diagnosed the case Us
St. Nitus' dance, and the usual rene
dies were applied. but with no benefit
to the patient. The girl grew worse
and the motion at first confined to the
limbs of one side seized her whole
body. This motion was at first per-
pendicular and like that of 4 person
saving wood, only not SO violent To
this particular motion was soon added
one partly rolling, and the two were
combined. Lately the motion has been
rolling only, the rolls constantly NOV
inc her entire body from side to side
with perfect regularity AT the rate OF
fifty per minute.
This motion is perpetual for twenty
two or twenty-three hours out OF
twenty-four, and is perfectly involun-
taly. The poor GIRL would be quiet il
she could. For an hour or more 49,
never more than two-in the night she
is mOtionless. She then sleeps from
sheer exhaustion. but is awakened by
the slightest noise The moment that
she wakens the ceaSeleSs rolling be-
gins. to stop only when worn out She
again sinks to rest. Some persons
doubted the necessity of this constant
moving of the girls body, and thought
it was voluntary. One physician sa
by her side three hours, during which
time there was not the slightest dimin
ution OF the rolling. Another physi
clan said he could stop it if he wished
and selling her by the shoulders, helC
her tightly few minutes, but the in
stant he relaxed his hold her body re
sumed its motion. She feels the re
suit of this treatment yet, and say
that there is not a spot on her persol
that is not sore. The weight of a pin
is actually painful to her and can no
be endured. Her arms are larger anC
harder than one would expect for
young lady of her size in perfec
health. To the touch they indicat
strong muscle. In fact, all the mus
cles of her body are well developed
'rhiS il acnnnnfnl for hN tho c0nS1nn