Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-08
A HUMAN MAGNET.

An Infant Child to whose Finger Tin,
Articles of Metal Adhere.
Dr.. E. Il. Root, in the Medical Re-
porter, says;
Late in August last, while taking a
vacation IN country town, heard of a
case that was causing considerable dis
cussion and Wonderment among the peo-
pie. Lovers OF the mysterious, whe
are always reaiy 70 attribute any
manifestation st all peculiar to
supernatural agencies, were indulging in
vsrious wise spsculations as 10 the true
nature OF the case. The child is termed
"human magaet" by the believers in
and practicers Of magnetic rubblngs,
while the spirituSlists declare the child
chosen medium. My curiosity became
aroused and l asked permission to see the
wonderful prodigy.
Permission wSs granted, and I esW the
child st two different timeE, making nv
visits some days spsrt. found e pretty,
delicate child, Dolly C aged three years
end six months, sn only child; blonde,
with pale and rSther waxy complexion.
Her manner Of speech AID conduc. were
Characterized by : Womsnly grace much
IN advance OF her tender years.
Last February the phenomenon de-
scribe was fl st noticed While PLAYING
with some spoons the mother was snr-
prised to see her arrange them on her
finger tips, where they hung with per-
feet case. She will place the palmar
surface OF the finger tips in the
concavity OF the spoon bowl near the end,
and lift from the holder, one by one,
without otherwise touching them, until
spoon Is suspended from each finger tip.
II the spoons do lot strike too violently
against each other she will carry them
ABOUT the room without dropping them.
l examined the case in various WAYS.
First tried four teaspoons with q mag.
net-one pure silver, one pewter, enc
triple plated ard one single plated or
washed. TIE pure silver or
pewter spoons were not in
fuenced by the magnet; the ghesvier
plsted wsa only partially raised, Nhile tae
washed spoon was raised entirely cle,r
OF tie table. L carried these four
SPOONS with me for the child to
exercise her anomalous power OF pre-
hension upon. Each one was suspended
with equsl esse except the ore Of pure
silver. This one was Highest IN weight
and the bowl was considerably isttar
than anY Of the other three. But after
arranging it upon her fnger few times
she succeeded Ia making. it. "stick."
Asking her to put two fingers under
the spoon bowls, l found q very ap-
precisble resistance in taking it off. Tie
spoons would hang from the tip of the
nose and chm with as much security "a
frcm the tlogers. Thinking the adher-
ence might be due to an excessive clam
mineEs OF the skin l tested its surface
with my own finger tips. Not
discovering sny, and to make sure
l was not deceived by my own sense OF
touch, l had the hands, nose and chin
carefully washed with soap and water snd
dried with wsrmed towel. found no
perceivsble difference in the adhesive
ness The child could rot PICK up steel
needle, thst is SO sensitive to the magnet,
nor would penny "stick to the
fingers, chin or nose. l could discover
nothing unusual in the shape Of the finger
tips. The skin was soft and velyety to
the touch, and could be sure of clammi-
ness nowhere except on the pinra. The
hands and feet were warm to the touch
when ssW her, and her mother states
that she Is not often troubled with cold
feet or hands.
Inc little PATIENTS mother also told me
that her sisters daughter, young lady
Of nineteen years Of age, snd Halways
SICK" IS she expressed It, msnifests the
same singuler over. This case I did
not see, but have no reason to doubt the
lsdy's statement, as she and her whole
family are kaoWn to be truthful and
honest.
1 have been thus particular in givipgau
The available points in the family history
Of the case, hoping thereby some light
might be thrown upon the singular phen-
Onenon.