Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-30
NATURES CURIOUS FREAKS.
Some Physical M0nstrOstties Not FOuud
I'm the MuseunaS.
Prom the New York Times

Some Physical W0nstrOstties Not Found
I'm the Museums.
From the New York Times
A physical monstrosity almost equalinc the
Prince OF Trepotkine IS the carefully guarded
son OF a well-to-do merchant occupying a COSTLY
mansion not far from the southern boundary of
the Central Park. The Prince Trepotkine who
is Justly regarded as one OF the most brilliant
minds IN the Russian Empire, Is the physical
prodigy and monstrosity OF an intelligent man
with his head at the termination OF his right
arm and hand and arm growing out Of his
neck and falling down over hts breast Born In
1893, the prince has received a thorough edu-
cation. and Is known throughout the Russian
empire as statesman and poet of high order.
The monstrosiiy that is so carefully guarded
In the mansion on west eth street l. perfectly
formed man about 30 years old, whose head
and lace Is block, as IL were; that Is the sides
and top OF the head well IA the face are per-
iectiy HAT or slab-sided. The do not project
but are interlineatai, and the same with the fea.
lures, the nose being very slight protuberance
but natural In it's functions. There is a good
growth OF hair on the caput; the eyebrows are
perfect, but excepting a slight mustache no
beard has ever grown on the face beyond coat
Ing OF down. Thus deformed, no effort was ever
made 10 educate the unfortunate man, for tho
reason that he is SO willml that IL has always
been deemed best 10 let him have his own way
DE possesses however. much natural intelii-
genee, and has a remarkably retentive memory
ana TO certain extent he has educated
hlmsslL Never forEetting anything that
ne hears, he remembers dates, names
and occurrences, and can carry ON a
conversation by repeating what he has heard
on the subject, evincing an intelligent apprecia-
ton OF what he Is saying. Chirographv excitss
In him the liveliest interest and wonder and
of his idiosyncrasies IL to trrasure an nisces
OF writing that he comes across He is also
much delighted 10y pictures, and illustrated
papers form his chief amusement The ample
means OF the family enable them To provide
him with an attendant and every comfort, and
besides, he has an Inheritance from a grand
New England, which. with The eampoYnt,e "A
Interest and accrued income which has hoen
allowed TO accumulate i'm his trust i'm the evens
OF family misfortune, now am cunts to a snug
little fortune. He IL generally amiable and
passive, although seli-willcd, and is apparently
perfectly contented with his lot. Al times.
however. he becomes cross and vicious when Ia
can only be governed 10y his attendant, now an
aged lrishwoman, who has had his care ever
since his birth. lie occupies n suite of rooms at
the top OF the house, and, being rather weak
but not otherwise unhealthy, seldom cares TO
leave his apartments. He IL allowed, whenever
inclined 10 do SO, Ia roam about the house, 40
companied by ms nurse.
The only vicious trait manifested by the 'un.
fortunate man Is when in a bad humor Inn
always makes an effort Ia start a fire and tho
sight of flames drives him almost 10 a frenzy ~
uelignt mixed with savage glco. Once lac ran
ahead OF his nurse and managed TO serrete HIM
self In the cellar. Not immediately found Ia
was allowed TO remain unmolested, the nurse
believing he would reveal himself when he
found that no search was being made for him
Not appearing, however the nurse repaired To
the cellar and found him throwing wood into
starting a big blaze. As soon as lac saw tha
Iurse ne SUNK back INTO corner evidently
determined 10 defend himself in his retreat 10
watch the fire he had started. IL Is remembered
that shortly before his birth the mother was
terribly frightened by a fire in the neirhbor.
hood which threatened to extend To the build.
ing OF which she was an inmate His idiosVn.
Grassy in regard TO fire is physiologically ac-
counted for or attributed Ia this fact. Ha
Will sit and watch the fire in the CRATE or the
gas burning by the hour In contemplative
interest and contentment The CRATE In
his room Is protected by a strong iron network
under lock and key and the gas burners ara
similarly enclosed, SO as 10 prevent him from
reaching the flame. IT is feared that he might
be inclined TO tamper with the burner In one of
his vicious moods. An indulgence is to allow
him to ignite a quantity OF paper. the burning
OF which affords him much pleasure. Perceiv.
Ing his father smoking a cigar, he once surrep-
tiuousiy obtained one, but the taste of the to-
attempted TO become q smoker. Ii uleases him.
however, TO watch his father smoke. and he will
frequently request his father To ',smohe." A
sister was born subsequent To his birth. but she
Se sI ~ h hesibx he WIS c perfectly formed
The appearance OF the head and face OF THE
unfortunate man suggests that a circular and
smooth compress had been placed on his feat
the growth OF all the features aud the curves If
the lace and head have been suppressed and
MADE uniformly smooth all around. He waa
born with this slab-sided deformity, however
and growth has not developed any OF the feat.
ures or the shape Of the head There is a mum.
Der Of deformities OF the head, ears and face
strongly resembling those of pig. and To this
class the physicians ascribe this singular freak
OF nature. Usually persons possessing deforrn-
tiles Of this class viciously inclined but this
man has no bad habits. He is cleanly and care
full OF his personal appearance, and seldom
gives any trouble TO his nurse, TO whom
he is apparently much attached. 1t is
fortunate for him that the accident OF
birth placed him I'm such good circum-
stances. In a more humble sphere of life
he would probably have been placed I'm a
museum. Most of the deformities exhibited in
such places, howeVer-amOng them the man
crab and the four armed boy-are simply cases
OF distorted growth, which the surgeons knife
could easily remedy. 1t may not be out of place
TO state in passing. that an article on this sul-
lect some months ago i'm these columns, describ.
ing deformity in a dime museum OF "a youth
whose fingers on both hands had all grown TO-
Sether, attracted the attention OF this unfortu-
nate boy, and, learning that such a case OF ar
rested growth could easily be remedied he an
piled 10 humane physician and had an ope-
ration performed which resulted in his recover.
Ing or rather obtaining, full use OF his fingers
The freak OF nature described I'm this article
however, is beyond remedy by the surgeone
scalpel, or an operation would have beea per.
formed long ago.