Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-01-29
r. M. WHITE, Editor and Proprietor.]
A HUMAN PUZZLE.
A Mathematical Machine and Marvel.
Gus Man.

respondent. ives most remarkable
man. Prof. Reuben Fields rs he
calls himself. j. now about 32 years
of age, of stout build. somewhat
florid complexion, and a cast or twist
in one of hi, eyes, that gives him a
rather singular expression. When
the writer of this met HIM he had
never been TO school, could neither
read or write, and was as ignorant a
man, as far as book learning goes,
as can he found in the state of Mis-
souri. Bu FIel $ has faculty of
gift which is probably not possessed
to suci, drg,ee by any other person
in the world, and the possession of
which, by some individual with bus
iness turn, would he source of
wealth. What this gift is 1 cannot
tell, but will give you some exam
pies of it and the reader may give it
a name if he car find one to suit.
Upon my introduction TO him, 1 was
informed that Fields could give an
answer to any sum in figures that
could be given to him. and ins,anta-
neously, without calculation or
thought. Thinking to test this more
than lightning calculator, l asked:
.'Reni'en. how many seconds old am
I?' (giving the date of my hir,h)
and lie barely waited my last word
until he gave the answer, and figuring
it 1 found 1t to he correct. The next
question was: SLOW many bricks are
there in pile!" giving the dimen-
sions in feet. and instantly came the
correct answer. Another and more
difficult question cnme next: "lf q
dollar had been put at interest, in the
year one, what would it amount to,
principal and interest. at six per cent.
e. date" He caught my meaning
and answered before the question
was fully given, and after tedious
amount of figuring it was proved to
be correct. Another: "A dnllar is
put out at ten per cent. interest,
from the creation. compounded'-
There are not enough figures known
10 give it in," he interrupted.
What" SAID L, mot enough fig
ures?' We'll" he replied, 81 can,
get enough figures together to give
ii. 1t might he put down in terms
or writing, but not otherwise. >
Whether he was correct or not have
never ascertained. To my query Of
on what day # the week will the 4tt
of July occur in the year 1000. hi:
answer came as promptly. Taking
down his answer. and consulting ,
jperpetual calendar shortly afterwards
it was proven correct. This was get
ting interesting, and counting leap
wears and all must have involved al
immense calculation outside of mer'
Figures, or simple addition and multi
iplication. When l came back t.
Figures again / asked him: alt being
i25, 900 miles around the earth, hoV
many flax-seed, counting sixteen Il
the inch, would it take to reacl
Iaround?" and the answer came befor
l was fairly through with the question
A few more examples of this man
wonderful power: The dimensions O
boiler being given he instantly sta
ted the number of cubic inches in il
TO this problem: A stream of vote
runs into a clstern through a ha
inch pipe, dimension of cistern bein,
lgiven, at Ghe rate of so many gallon
per hour, how long would it take t
fill it. and how long to empty
through a three-quarter inch pipe
He gave an immediate and corret
answer. Many other intricate prot
lens were given him but lie was ne,
er stalled. When it is known, as
positively is, that this man was new,
at school, and can neither read {
write, one is lost in wonder. That l.
menial calculation is made is evidel
to any one who asks questions
Fields and herein IS a mystery. A
edueated man, who practices in SUE
exei cises. if given time mi ght answ
some of these questions but even
such man the fact would be w0
ie1ful. When Zefa Colburn was b
fore the French academy of scien
in questions propouDded to him OF
similar nature, the time required w
noted, and showed that a mental pr
cess WAS in operation. But Colhu
had been in the habit of studyil
mathematical problems from chill
/ hood up and Was an accomplish
! scholar and professor IN an easte
institute of learning. Question:
Fields as to how he answers t
questions put to him he can give
reason or theory. He answered Z
lnterrogatory to this effect 10y aski
me how knew u door was door,
window a window. Il know the
thugs" he continued, "they come
me nike the clicking of telegraph
Fields has another faculty al:
nearly rs remarkable as the one
have specified to surh length.
can give the time of day or night
New York or San Francisco, and c'
rect to secnnd 1t is trick of
to bel IA man he can tell him wi
time it is hy his watch, allowing
minute or two for the variation
, watches, and he WAS never known
/ lose u bet. 1t will be asked, wi
this man does for a living and
! answer is, he simply does nothi'
Work, he will not. even TO cut
stick of wood for his widowed mo
er, who, like himself, is quite po
Occasionally he will hell on the Il
books or al invoicing a stock
goods. He travels through
counties in western Missouri, and
been, believe. before some scent
men in ST. Louis for examinati'
and was as much of puzzle to til
as to Others. Tie raj road cOnd
l tors all know him, and lie pays
1 bis rides by answering their gu
tions, giving them the number
I revoiutions of q car wheel, diane
being stated, between any gi'
points, and was never known to M
mistake. His manner Of invoic
Is TO have the clerks call off the n,
ter of yards and price per yard,
pounds and price per pound, and
gives the amount. Then, when al
aone, he will give the total amo
it all comes 10. carrying it along
his hea,t through The most exten.