Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14
A STRANGE WOMAN.
Wonderful FeatS of Strength Perform
ed Without Help.
From Whence Comes Such Marvellous
Powers?
VIII Not Science StOOp to Investigate ?

Among the supernatural manifesto
tions now exciting attention among the
curious, she so-called electric women of
Georgia are not the least wonderful. For
several days past one of the ladies, Miss
Dixie Haygood, has been in Memphi
giving exhibitions of her power. Are
porter of the Avalanche, by Invitation Of
the little lady assembled with several
other gentlemen at the parlor of the
Clarendon Hotel to test these remarkable
manifestations, and discover, if possible,
their source and secret. Among the
gentlemen present were Lawrence Lamb,
Zeno Harris, Henry Walsh, and several
others. 1t is needless to say that it was
the determination of the gentlemen pres
ent to detect, if possible, any triokery or
legerdemain that might be attempted.
Miss Haygood is of small stature, COM
pact mold, and apparently muscular be-
yond most women, and weighs about 104
pounds. She has brown hair, blue or
violet eyes, and pleasant expression of
countenance, but an air also of firmness
and decision of character. The first two
tests, viz, drawing a gentleman easily
around the room by applying her hand to
a chair or an umbrella held by him, or
the third test Of holding billiard enc in
her open palms at an angle of about
Iorty live degrees with such firmness that
a strong man, or even two strong men,
could not force the point to the floor,
were certainly remarkable in a woman SO
small, but might have been accomplished
by woman Of very great physical
strength. Therefore the reporter felt
disappointed TO some extent, and argued
with his companions that it was either
matter of slight of hand or else remark
able development of muscular power.
Bat the next tests were different. One
of the gentlemen present was requested
to lift the lady by her elbows, held taut
at the waist. This he did, but when told
to try it again utterly failed to raise her
an inch. Two strong men then raised
her by holding her elbows on each side
with the greatest ease, but on attempting
it again they could not raise her weight
particle from the floor. This was poser
and was tried several times, the party
offering many explanations, but none at
all satisfactory. The fact remained IN
explained that she could at VIII allow her
self to be lifted as other people and i'm
mediately thereafter bring into play
such force, without apparent effort,
that two strong men could not move her
100 pounds of weight, try they ever SO
hard.
The next test will be more inexplicable
A chair was brought-an ordinary dining
room chair-and a gentleman weighing
about $50 pounds was placed in it. AS
tride of his knees another gentleman of
about 145 pounds weight was placed, and
between the two third gentleman of at
least $50 pounds was seated. All raised
their feet from the floor as the chair was
tilted back and held balanced. The lit
| tie lady then approached the back of the
chair and placed her open palms along
| thy arms or stats supporting the chairs
back.
Observing the reporter narrowly watch
ing her, she requested him to place his
hand between her hand and the chair to
prove that no pressure was exerted.
This was done, and only the Iady's thumbs
| touched the back OF the chair. Then,
without an effort or the contraction of a
muscle, or the slightest pressure on the
reporters hand, the chair and its living
freight was raised about fourteen inches
from the floor. The weight including
the chair, was at least .450 pounds, and
John l.. Sullivan could not have perform
ed the feat so easily accomplished by the
little woman.
This test was con vincing, but the next
was no less so. Miss Haygood stood on
one foot, and holding billiard cue hor-
izontally before her at half-arm's length
three strong men essayed in vain to push
her, by throwing their combined weight
against the cus, from her balance on Cne
foot or press her arms back TO her chest.
The shapely, womanly hands lifted the
three great strapping fellows from the
floor by simply touching with open palms
his own hands placed upon the chair back
and he saw the dainty No. 21l boot stand
ing upmoved on the floor with the com
bined weight of the same three Memphis
gentlemen thrown powerfully and per-
sistently against the small figure of its
owner. Explain it who can.
But in one respect, at least, the modest
little lady is like other mortals, she has
woEan's heart, and last night, at 1870
o'clock, in the parlor of the Clarendon,
gave her hand confdingly to the man of
her choice, Thomas L. Embry of Cinciu-
natl. The pair was quietly married by
Squire J. J. Barry, without previous
notice even to the hotel clerk, and a few
minutes later went to the theater to give
the regular performance, The bride was
richly dressed in velvet costume, and
and wore an exquisite corsage bouquet of
white flowers without other ornament.
The young husband has certainly a deal
of temerity to place himself in the hands
of one so capable of enforcing conjugal
obedience, but seemed to be a very happy
man.