Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-03-09
AN AFFLICTED FAMILY.
One OF the Consequences of the Inter-Mar-
riare of Mar Relatives.

One of the Consequences of the Inter-Mar-
riaGe Of Near Relatives.
NLvApA, Mo, March S.-A few days
since your correspondent was at Ellis, a
small railroad town west Of the county seat
Of Ternon and near the Kansas border.
Just before the east bound passenger train
was due We observed q commotion about
the platform, as a country farm wagon
drove up loaded with human freight. There,
said the gentleman with whom we were
talking is the Parson Hale family or what is
left OF it rather. Well, we enqulred,
what is remarkable about this household
that people should be so attracted and ex,
cited at their approach?
They are all idiots, he replied: Seven of
the eight children born were of unsound
mind and several Of these were deformed
and dwarfed. By this time the wagon had
got along side the railroad platform and the
kind hearted neighbors, who had come
along were assisting the simple, Informed,
helpless creatures out. 1t has never been
the lot of the writer to witness q sadder and
more yepelling sight than this spectacle.
Becoming interested, we sought the his
tory Of these people from our companion, an
old resident.
How many are now living? we asked.
Where are these going? There are four Of
the idiots living, and these, with their old
mother, are now en- route for Hardy county,
where some relatives hive.
And the father We enquired.
The old man has been Familiarity known
as "Parson Hale which title he got from
preaching sometimes. He has always been
eccentric and not considered entirely compos
mentis. At intervals he would leave home
and the family know nothing of his where
abouts. | have attended his preaching aud
lie bad habit of slobbering or frothing at the
mouth, when exhorting that a very disgust
ing. Oilate years "ParsOn Hale has become
very p~rofane, and the community generally
regard him as irresponsible, He has been
now absent from home several
months, and no one knows where.
And did they rear this family2 Yes, all
eight, | believe grew to be men and women
Parson Hale owned a little farm in the
timber along Drywood. Here he cleared
some ground for cultivation, assisted by the
eldest boys. They were huge men physically
snd had boards all over their faces. The
father could make them sprout and grub,
and many a traveller passing the clearing
has heard the idioric gibbering and seen
tie simple grimaces OF the big Hale boys
when at work. BY industry and frugality
Ct the father and mother they managed to
support the family in earlier life, but of late
the county rendered some assistance.
How old are the parents2 Both must
lie over seventy, as the eldest ofthe males 10
that squad over there is SO. Some of the
elder ones | think died.
What do people generally attribute this
terrible deformity in body and mind OF the
Tale family to, we asked?
There is but one answer to that question,
said be. 1t is the intermarriage of blood
relations. Parson Hale and wife are first
cousins. His parents were also first cousins
hers were nearly related also, and how
much further back the geneology is trace
able, tradition gives no account.
We turned from this scene of afflicted
and sin cursed humanity with ineNpressi-
bic feelings OF pain and sorrow, and when
they we're being lifted on the train like so
many infants we kept on the other side, and
boarded the cars from the railroad track.
What q lesson to man, We reflected, and
how wisely sacred and human laws have
aimed to save humanity from the conse-
ouence Of violating natures laws.
Poor man, if he had any mind what
was Jobs affection compared to his, and the
partner Of his sorrows and cares2 Who can
measure the weight of ANNOUNCEMENTS and
burlheDs she carried through a life Of three
score and ten years. What q mock
| ery home wasi What a blank the domestic
circle and how bitter the fruit Of these ny
mental sowlngsl