St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-01
SUNDAY AT SALTWATER.
The Globe Discovers a Pretty Freak Of
Nature.
A BABE SWALLOWS A KNIFE
And Weighs Only Twenty Pounds When
Eight Years Old--.General
News.

A pretty little freak of nature was
discovered yesterday by the GLOBE re-
porter in the person of Bessie May
StoWell. whose parents reside on South
z Main street in that section of town
known as Slab alley. Bessie is nearly
eight years old and weighs only twenty
pounds. She is of the average height
for child of that age, but since baby
hood has shown no disposition to ac-
s cumulate flesh upon her little form.
I She is the second-born of five smart
e children and is described by her mother
as the liveIieSt, most active of the quin-
tette, being constantly busted with her
sports and giving especial attention to
theatrical plans of her own. She uses
a special apartment of the house as a
theater, and in all manner of impro-
viSed stage costumes gives performances
for the benefit of the other children,
her notions of the art having been
picked up on two or three occasions
when she has attended opera house
matinees. Her health, as shown in her
color, appetite and sleep, is normal.
1t was explained by the mother yester-
day that when an infant Bessie swal-
lowed penknife. A year of very much
disturbed health followed, and, though
the article has never been recovered,
no symptoms of its presence have since
been noted. The doctors, Mrs. Stowell
said. gave the child drugs that dissolved
or digested the material forming the
knifehandle, but the blade, so far as is
known, still remains in the child'S StOm-
ach. or somewhere concealed about her
anatomy. Her abnormal spareness,
&c of oil of rt hu hQr
parents to the effects of the knife-sWal-
lowing. Bessie, when born, weighed
two and half pounds. Her father and
her oldest sister, it is recorded, tipped
the scales at birth at the very same
mark as did Bessie. but Mr.. Stowell
pere. and the daughter, the latter now
seventeen years old, are above the
average size. Mrs. Stowell, the mother,
is large, good-looking lady, of appar-
emily perfect health. Bessie was born
in Hudson, Wis, her parents afterwards
living for a short time in Saltwater,
thence going to Dakota, and lately re-
turning to Saltwater.
AS Mrs. John O'Bfien, accompanied
by Miss Rose Garfield, was driving up
South Third street Saturday evening,
her horse took fright at street car and
ran sway. Both ladies were thrown
violently from the carriafe, Mrs. O'Brien
receiving very severe injuries. Miss
Garfield escaped comparatively I'M
harmed.
Four of the electric cars. each making
regular trips, were put into regular
service yesterday.
The Guild of Ascension Church will
give lawn party, with music and re-
freshments, on the grounds of Hon.
John McKusick tomorrow evening.
The Ben Hershey and Boeckeler were
up after logs and lumber yesterday.
DR.. Allen, of the street railway COM
pany, expects to return to Davenport
to-day. His partner, Ernest L. Allen.
will remain in charge in the doctors
stead.
The Henrietta, with a picnic fishing
party aboard, attempted to go up the
st. CrOiX yesterday, but, on account of
the extreme low water, was unable to
effect passage above the head of the
lake, and after struggle near the
island, succeeded in turning about, and
went down towards Catfish bar.
As shown by the pOntoon gauge, the
lake yesterday stood at 1 foot s inches
above low water mark.
A prison chapel Fourth of July enter
tainment for the benefit of the convicts
rs being arranged. -.,e sf