The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-12-18
II MAKES FOLKS DANCE.
Strange Effects of Water Found in Texas
A Remarkable Natural Fluid.

Strange Effects of Water Found in Texas-
Remarkable Natural Fluid.
A discovery of immense scientific in.
terest has recently been discovered near
this place, says Wharton (Tex. } letter
to the Philadelphia ISneS-a discovery
which it is thought will add a hitherto
ready familiar to the chemist Chud-
leigh Mason, a prominent cotton
planter living about five miles from
his place struck water a few days ago at
a depth of 215 feet. A powerful stream
was thrown up with loud report
and slight trembling of the sur
rounding earth. Mr.. Mason, in order
to test the quality of the water, drank
glass of it, and the negro workmen
also crowded about and drank freely of
the water, which was found to be very
cold and good, though possessed of a
slight unfamiliar flavor, which was,
however, not disagreeable.
Within a quarter of an hour, or even
less, after drinking the water Mr.
Mason began to feel strange twitch-
ings in the muscles of the face, and his
workmen also commenced to complain
of the same sensation. This twitching
soon extended to the arms and legs, in
creasing all the while In violence, I'M
til at last the negroes cast themselves
down, crying that they had been con-
jured, and rolled about on the ground
shrieking aloud and writhing with
hideous contortions of the face and
body. As the jerking and jumping OF
the muscles of the limbs grew more and
more violent all hands sprang up and
Joined in wild, uncomfortable dance, or
rather hopping up and down like SO
many disturbed frogs. Mr.. Mason, de-
scribing his sensations, says that he
was conscious of a feeling of great ex-
hilaration and an increased acuteness
of every sense. The sight of the leap
ing negroes, who were too frightened
to realize that they were suffering only
from fear and their cries and shrieks
provoked him to bursts of laughter that
sounded almost maniacal. Mrs. Mason,
seeing her husbands extraordinary be-
havior, became alarmed and, running
out, attempted to hold him down, but,
though he endeavored to assist her by
clinging with all his strength to post,
it was found impossible to restrain him
This dance was kept up until sheer ex.
haustion caused the involuntary par.
Elephants to fall PROSTATE to the earth,
where they lay and kicked for some
minutes, after which they fell into d
deep sleep. This sleep was the heavy,
| dreamless slumber that follows intoxi
cation and lasted for several hours, but
left them with clear heads and no evi
consequences beyond soreness of the
back and limbs and pain in the face
resembling neural gia, which, however
soon passed away.
Mr.. Mason sent jug of the water tC
Houston to have it analyzed, but the
chemists of that city profess themselve;
at a complete loss to account for one O.
the elements entering into the compo
sition of the water, and gave as theil
unanimous opinion that it may be added
to the number of known elements as s
siXty-siXth. This element lnaparts tt
the water a beautiful bright blue tingt
of metallic luster and gives taste more
like that of fresh cider than ANYTHING
else. When the water is heated the ele
ment passes off in a colorless gas of {
most agreeable odor, resembling th(
perfume of tube-rOSes, only more pene
trating and pungent, and so powerful
that gallon of water simmering ovel
a slow fire will render a whole house
fragrant for hours. Taken from the
well and left to stand, however, the
water loses its beautiful blue color anC
thickens to the consistency of turpen
tine, with faint greenish tinge, anC
will when drunk OF inhaled produce
violent nausea and vomiting, accom-
panied by swimming in the head anC
IL failure of the sight and hearing
which lasts for hours.
The negroes about have christene(
the well Devils Water and regard i
with superstitious awe, and, with on,
exception, can not be prevailed upon tt
even approach it. This exception i
an old darkey Familiarity known a
Uncle Dence, who is actually becom
ing confirmed drunkard on the water
on which he indulges in daily spre
in spite of all attempts to keep hir
from drinking it. He claims that h
feels younger and spryer after eac
dance. Many of the crowds that com
daily from all parts of the county, an
even from adj jacent ones, to visit thi
well have the curiosity to taste tn
water to Judge of its singular qualitie
for themselves, and it is curious to oil
serve the different ways in which
affects individuals, for, while tn
twitching of the nerves and muscle
and the uncomfortable propensity t
dance are common to all. the effect o
the minds of different persons is of end
less variety.
! One man will shout for joy, betray
ing all the abandonment of a child; al
other will weep with a gentle melan
choly; third will sing hymns, and pei
: haps fourth at the same time will b
praying aloud. Your corresponder
found himself reciting whole pages {
blank verse from the different poet
that he had been unconscious {
having retained in his memory. Th
effect on the spirits is delightful in tn
extreme, feeling of exhilaration an
lightness pervading the whole systel
and the senses take on an acutenes
and refinement that is most remarks
BILE.
By the advice of one of the able:
chemists of Houston a hermeticall
sealed jar of this wonderful liquor ha
been forwarded to the Society {
Chemists and Pharmacists in New Yor
for their careful analysis, which prt
cess when completed he is confider
will confirm his opinion of the valu
and uniqueness of the discovery.
Young lady Gin great store)
me see a bonnet suitable for an oil
LADY, Salesgirl- For your mother?
Young Lady-''No; for myself 1 don