The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-01
A Human Magnet.

Dr. E. II. Root IN the Medical Reporter.
Late in August last, while taking a vaca-
tion in a country town | heard of case
that was causing considerable discussion and
wondermert among the people. Lovers of
the mysterious who are always ready to at
tribute any manifestation at ali peculiar to
supernatural agencies, We're iudulging in
various wise speculatiOns as to the true ma
ture of the case The child is termed a
"buman magnet by the believers in and
practicers of magnetic rubbings, while the
spiritualiss declare the child chosen me-
dium. My curiosity became aroused and
asked permission to see the wonderful
prodigy.
Permission was granted and l saw the
child at two different times, making my
visits some days apart. l found pretty,
delicate child, Dolly c., aged years and
months, an only child; blonde, with a pale
and rather waxy complexion. Her manner
of speech and conduct were characterized
by womauly grace much in advance of
her tender years.
Last February the phenomena describe
was first noticed. While playing with some
Spoons the mother was surprised to SEQ her
arranging them on her finger tips, where
they hung with perfect ease She will place
the palmar surface of the finger tips in the
concavlty of the spoon-bowl near the end
and lit from the holder, one by one, without
otherwise touching them, until a spoon is
suspended from each finger TIP. II the
spoons do not strike too violently against
each other she will carry them about the
room without dropping them.
| examined the case III various ways.
First tried four teaspoons with magnet
one pure silver, one pewter, one triple-plated
and one single-plated or washed. The pure
silver or pewter spoons were not influenced
by the magnet; the heavier plated was only
partially raised, while the washed spoon
Yves raised entirely clear Of the table.
carried these four spoons with me for the
child to exercise her anomalous power of
prehension upon. Each one was suspended
with equal ease except the one OF pure sill
yer. This one was lightest in weight and
the bowl was considerably fiatter tnan any
of the other three. But after arranging 1t
upon her finger few times she succeeded
in making it ''stick." Asking her to put
two fingers under the spoon-bowls found
"a very appreciate resistance in taking it
off.
The spoons would hang from the tip Of
the nose and chin with as much security As
from the fingers. Thinking the adherence
might be due TO an excessive CLEANLINESS OF
the skin, | tested its surface with my own
finger tips. Not discovering any and, to
make sure was not deciyod by my own
sense Of touch | had the hands and chin
carefully washed with sSpp and water and
dried with a warm towel found no per
ceivable difference in the adhesiveness The
child could not pick up a steel needle, that
is so sensitive 10 the magnet, nor would
penny "stickn to the fingers, chin or nose.
discovered nothing unusual in the shape
of the finger-tips. The skin was soft aud
velyety to the touch, and ! could be sure OF
CLEANLINESS nowhere except on the pima.
The hands and feet were warm TO the touch
when / saw her, and her mother states that
she is not often troubled with cold feet or
hands
The little patients mother also told me
that her sisters daughter young LADY Oh
10 years of age, aud always sick, as she
expressed it, manifests the same singular
power. This case l did nor see, but have
no reason to doubt the lady's statement, as
she and her whole family are known to be
truthful and honest.
/ have been thus particular in giving all
the available points in the family history
of the case, hoping thereby some light
might be thrown upon the singular phe-
no lemon.