The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-12-09
An AUTUMN e,oNlc.
Queer Types % Humanity Among the
Mountalneers Of virgn,s.

Queer Types 81 uomanIty Among the
Mountaineers OF virgIn,s.
He started up the Virginia reel, and
almost Instantly the features of the
listeners underwent a change. Tho
old familiar strain had wonderful ef-
feet After awhile some of them be-
came uneasy, and before the tune died
out two of the mountaineers suddenly
made break for the board walk and
began to dance. 1t was an old break
down, rendered in manner that would
have excited the envy of . song-and.
dance man. Here was the original Of
which the guests had heretofore only
seen the imitation. Around and around
each other they went. never missing
the time, no matter how fast and how
furious the music. The suns warm
rays did not affect them in the least
They kept 1t up till the musicians gave
out from sheer exhaustion, and were
heartily applauded by the spectators.
who enjoyed the novel sight. The
dancers were odd characters, one in par
ticular, being known throughout this
sect on as John Huckleberry, "rhe Man
Eater" He Is said to b. tho strongest
man in the mountains, being a match
Tor any six men. At one time he was
attacked by a half-dozen negroes, any
one of whom was more than match
for an ordinary man. Within five
minutes. WITH no weapons but
his fists, ho cleaned out the party. The
blows he dealt left marks visible for
days to come. At another time, on Q
wager, he bit q ten-penny nail in two.
The mountaineers respect his pr0wess,
and look upon him us a leader. The
giant is aoout six feet two inches In
height. aud is of herculean build. His
shoulders are on the Sullivan order, AZ
arc also his arms. but the STOPPING pos.
ture acquired by the mountaineers
wise be broad and expansive, appear
Hat and hollow. When sober he Is good
natured and tractable, but when in his
cups he is u hard customer to manage.
The man-cater's partner in tho dance
was lame man with basket on his
arm. HIS physical imperfect ons did
not Interfere with his movements. Aft
or time, when the music ceased,
some of the men Withdrew TO the
further end of the lawn, where a ring
was formed. One of the youths pulled
out mouth harmonica, and as the
wild strains swung to the breeze, four
mountain boys started to the center and
began a rollicking sort of dance. In
this way the picknickcrs enjoyed them
selves throughout the day.
just about sundown the musicians
gave the usual concert on the lawn.
After playing II number of airs they
decided to give the mountaineers an
other benefit. This time they selected
''Sallie in the Garden" the well-known
"Buzzard" air. The women thought
the men had danced enough, SO they
prevailed on two of their number ia
start the ball. A tall, slim woman in
black, about forty-iive years of age.
with a Shaker bonnet, and O young girl
OF eighteen responded. There was nc
wing ;ng, as is seen ut tough balls in
your city. but the side steps and shuffles
were immense. They tossed themselves
all over the board, atforIing infinite
amusement to the spectators. For five
minutes they danced together, then the
young girl gave out. The old woman,
however, kept it up until the mus clans
were tired out. 1t was an endurance
match, and the aged dancer carried of
the prize. When conplimented on hei
performance, she remarked, with 9
proud toss of her head: 20, I'm q
Woodworking woman, l am" p" and she
looked it. Late at night the picnickers
started for home. which many did moi
reach until the following morning. =
Orkney { Va) Cor. Boston Herald.