Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-01-10
STRANGE HUMAN BEINGS.
Men Who Have Differed From the
Ordinary Run.

Among the people that have become
remarkable by their differing from the
ordinary run nf humanity, Charles
| d. merry, called 1.-The VuraciUus Pole.
excited great wonders in his day. He
enlisted in the French service, aud was
captured by the English in 1893, and
immured in Liverpool prison.
When in camp, if bread or meat were
scarce, he made up the deficiency by
eating four or tive pounds of grass daily.
ln one year he had devouIed and skinned
| ia cats, dead and alive. When very
hungry he did not wait to kill them
before eating. He also ate dogs and rats,
and even their entrails, if food was
scarce. When the ship surrendered on
which he was on board, finding nothing
TO eat but mans leg that had been
shot off. he began to eat it, when d
sailor snatched it from him and thrt W it
overheard.
In the Liverpool prison, although
double ratiOns were allowed him, he de
vOured everything he could get from
the other prisoners, and would even
swallow their medicines. He daily ate
raw bullOck's liver, three pounds of
candles and several pounds of raw beef,
and all that they would give him of beer
or water. His stomach revOlted at moth
ing and retained everything.
The doctors, wishing To try how much
he could eat in one day, tested him. At
in the morning he broke his fast by
ea:ing.four pounds of cows ndder, raw
During the day, which was hot and his
appetite poor, he consumed. i'll all. cows
udder, four pounds; raw meat, ten
pounds; candles, two pounds, and five
bottles of porter. He strained his appe-
tite on this test occasion. because the
other prisoners frightened bin by tell
ing him the doctors were going to eX-
pertinent on him.
The greatest eater that ever lived ex-
listed in the days of old Parr, in the be-
ginning of 1900. His name was Nicholas
Wood, "f the county of Kent. One of
the writers of the time says:
He did eat with ease whole sheep,
and that raw, at one meal; at another
time thirty dozen of pigeons.
AT Sir William Sedley'S banquet he
did eat as much as would suffice for
thirty men. At Lord Walton's, at one
meal, he did eat four score and four
rabbits.
"On one occasion be devoured eighteen
yards of black pudding He made an
end of whole pig at once, and after it
three peckS of damsons. AT another
time he ate six penny loaves, three six
penny veal pies, one pound of butter,
one good big dish of thOrnback and d
peck leaf, in the space of an hour"
Peter, the wild boy, was found in
l775 in forest near Hanover, walking
on his hands and feet, climbing trees
like squirrel, nude. and feeding On
grass and moss.
With difficulty he was caught and
taken to Zell, Hanover. He was un
d human being, and was sup
posed to be about thirteen years Of age, |
but could not speak, consequently no
could be obtained from |
him as to how he came TO be living |
among the wild beasts.
After several times escaping to the |
" WoUds, Peter, aS they named him, was |
taken 10 England and exhibited. He |
mad hardly any ideas, could scarcely be |
Induced To wear anv clothes. and would |
not sleep.in IA bed, but slept crouched in
4 corner, which led TO the SuppOStlon
hat h had always slept III a tree for
security against wild beasts. He could
never be taught to converse, though ne
would get out q few words.
George l. gave him Il pension and
placed him with a farmer to live. Peter
was "a giant for strength, though his
height was only five feet. He acquired
many civilized habits. such as an over
weaning fondness for liquor He was
If gentle disposition, Notwithstanding
,he savagery of his life, bat could never
De induced TO notice the fair sex. He
lied at the supposed age of 73. How a
human being came thus deserted in the
woods has ever remained mystery.
The very first living skeleton, and
from whom all subsequent ones take
heir name, was Glands Sewrat, born in
France in 1897. He was tall and would
have been well-shaped had there been
any flesh upon him, but every bone in
mis- body could be seen. His arms were
to an ivory flute, and the alb
iomen seemed to cling to the vertebra.
He made fortune by exhibiting him
self. and went to his native place to Ell
Joy it, but suddenly expired soon after
MS Observation-Disclosures Leader.