The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-02-25
NEWSPAPER SENSATIONS!
How the Tireless Journalists Dive Be-
meath the Surface Of Human
Affairs and


Expose the Weakness of Erring Mortality
What is newspaper without senSa
tion? AS well might a menagerie attemp
to travel without a brass band, or tn,
flaming posters that picture wonderful
exploits that never take place. We mus
have an occasional dose of "spice" in the
newspaper world. We must have the
dash and flash of brilliant genius. The
world has no right which the brilliant
intellect of the writer is bound to respect
and the main object is to create demand
for the paper. The editor who confines
himself to teaching plain, practical COM
mon sense, and telling the ruth, must be
occasionally grieved that he was not born
gifted liar, that he might be enabled to
keep up with the times. Here we have
been upholding the reputation of Jack
son county for intelligence and culture,
and speaking in terms of praise of our
citizens-a residence of more than gen.
Grafton among them having taught us
that better class of people does not ex-
ist, anywhere-but now friend sends us
a copy of the st. Louis (MissourD Globe
Democrat, containing long article, taken
from the Chicago Herald, about the
gross ignorance of portion of Jackson
county. To think that after all we are
ignorant and superstitions, and the fact
has gotten so far from home, is humiliat-
ing in the extreme. The article reads as
follows:
In the extreme northwestern corner of the county
of Jackson, Ohio, is spot little known, which is
called TOAD Heaven" 1t is rough log church,
which stands among the hills. Worship within it is
by the rough cranky terate dwellers of the REGION
which is noted for its lack of any inviting
Toad Heaven which name goes both for the church
and the community was christened by hereto
neighbor. They all ignorant, superstitious,
educated cranks who subsist in the most primitive
fashion and rarely go far beyond their acres. They
ire of Virginia stock-''poor white trash" from the
regians. Their religious ceremonies are
Trotesque and highly sensational. Their amens and
praise the Lord's'' are loud enough to shake the
hills, and every month a foot-washing ceremony
'alled "sacrament" is performed as one of the
hurch rites. corresponding to the communion in
civilized churches. Every member sat in bare and
lirty feet, awaiting signal from leader to
nence ceremony much needed by many feet, which
we're being rubbed together under the seats. Every
nan and women were armed with towel, worn like
sash, and tin basin which does secular duty at
ome Brother Hurls, of Stony Greek, the leader.
lis reputation for honesty rickety, there is
% discount of his ignorant ability to enthuse. He
egan disjointed sermon thus: II hain't prepared
discourse. The Lord says his servants, git up
nd deliver yo self, an at the hour HI fill yo'
,outh with utt'rance.' hain't lar MIN and
rent to school but three days in my life, but know
m chosen sarvant o. God to pint the way to sin
ers. Some men who have larnin, amt Christians
n If they don't reform everastin hell will be their
heeer of the Lords good gifts This foot-washin' of
ur amt for the purpose of cleann dirt from our
let, for they don't need it (here Brother Hurls
uilty of lying), but it's sacrymint handed down
is faithful followers by Christ who washed his |
iscipules' feet and dried them with towel at the |
ast Supper We're not fools, we're not, for what we
is nobody's biz, an it's all for the glory of God"
A surge of amens greeted the oratory, and Hurls, |
declared that while he lone O, |
er polished, high-toned, stnck-up preachers with |
clothes an standin' collars an sinful souls,' he
as able "to preach Gods hom' truths as the Lord
nts 'em in my MOUTH Then he preached the |
xt Where Art Thou?" He never found out, nor
Id his listeners know where he was, but his agony
as superb. In his rambling talk he became frenzied
Id sweat like harvest-hand. He took off his coat
nd threw open his flannel shirt, disclosing brawny
osom hairy an ape and which needed washing as
ad as some feet which were warming up near the
The sermon ended, the strange proceedings COM
enced. In a corner was big barrel of rain water,
lied from the roof by tin pipe let in through
fndow. To it each woman went and filled her basin.
hen each man commenced singing hymn, and each
oman, choosing not her husband, but any brother
wished, laved his feet, at time, in the basin.
hen she unwound the towel from her waist and
iped each foot dry. When all had finished and each
antaloon leg had been rolled down there was a
,ratching and putting about by the men to get on
leir socks and boots. Then came the women's turn
have their brethren. The went at 1t brusquely.
ach woman sat and sang, clothed scantily. Each
lad hor dras 1y until fha ham
w inches above the ankle AS each foot-washer
ommenced operations female feet there
'lash heard above the singing which at times would
e interrupted by quick breaths from excitable
oung females. When it ended all sang hymn and
ere dismissed. The general reputation of the
Toad Heaven" community is bad, but there is no
Iscount on the muscular features of the religion.
This beautiful piece of imagery was
lostly drawn from the individual
of the author. We are told
hat religious enthusiasts in Jackson
ounty are living in state of semi
that the women are immodest,
he men ignorant, and that a generally
eplorable picture is presented. The
hicago mans article was doubtless the
esult of hideous dream after attending
meeting of the Salvation Army"
here is such locality in Jackson coun-
Y, and there is some religious feeling in
hat section, but the people are among
ur best citizens. We have "Soul-Sieep-
rs" "Mormons," "Feet-W Washers" and
ther nominations, but we have no
avageS.
1t is quite interesting, of course, to
cad these wonderful tales of superstition
nd ignorance, but of course they must
ONE from the outside. We don't meet
With them here. There's one ceremony
poken of, however, which would doubt
ess be pleasant sensation to the sub
ect, and valuable thing for the COM
nunity-that is the "sacra ment" of feet
Washing. And Toad Heaven is not the |
My place where it should be practiced |
The revival should reach even to Chicago. |
After all, Toad Heaven can laugh at
chicago, now, for the latter, though it
las not "Hurl," has Sam. j Jones.
Spring is coming, the birds are singing.
Nature has new cause for rejoicing this |