The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-10-17
JOE MUTATIONS LATEST.
A Strange Story OF n Bcwltch I'd Young
Girl.


A special from Dresden, Tenn, in the
Nashville Banner suggests that Mulhat-
ton has come again. The story reads as
follows:
Some weeks since rumor reached here
of strange occurrence in the family of
Mr.. Frank HAYES, who lives near Green
field, but it appeared incredible. and as
the facts had not been substantiated by
reliable parties, the Banner CORES pondent,
who is no sensationalist for the sake Of
the sensation, did not send the report to
the Banner Now, however, the matter
has been thoroughly investigated by good,
responsible citizens and is given below:
Mr.. Hayes and wife and daughter, Miss
Tintsey, are highly respected people. One
morning, about three months ago, Mrs.
Hayes went into the girls room to wake
her and was much frightened by finding
roll Of cotton around the girls throat.
The girl seemed much alarmed and could
not account for the strange appearance OF
the cotton Before this time, it was after
ward remembered, bits of cotton had been
found about the yard, but nothing was
thought OF it, Occasionally bits Of cotton
This was followed by choking sensation.
Miss Tintscy was at first perfectly well,
but has now for weeks been Frustrated
and is gradually growing weaker. She
will die unless relieved
Dr. Moore, of Gibson county, was called
to see her and gave the case up as beyond
his power to cure. At first people laughed
at the matter. saying the girl was playing
trick but they went through curiosity
to see and left completely mystitied. They
would see before them Il stout healthy
girl. who would start and stare at some
thing approaching her. Sometimes she
would say it was IL cat coming toward her
with piece of cotton in its mouth; ut
other times it would be little dog, and
she would call to those present to scare it
away and not let it come to her. They
would assure her they saw nothing, but
she would continue TO cry out, and all at
once those watching her would see Il
bunch of cotton appear OH her throat. 1t
would smother her until removed. OF
late animals have given way to woman
dressed in yellow. who brings the cotton.
Some ladies finally decided TO make a
close examination and see if the girl was
dcceiving them. They put fresh apparel
on and changed the bed clothes, but found
nothing to clear up the mystery. Miss
Tntscy WAS then put back in bed, but
continued TO be troubled az before, and
the ladies expressed themselves as fully
satisfied that the girl was innocent of any
deception, and was the victim OF Il very
remarkable and strange affection. The
idea of removing the girl was advanced.
She was taken TO a house two miles dis
tant, but failed to be relieved. She was
conveyed buck to her home and Il rcputa-
bic citizen informed the writer that rs
they were bearing the girl in at the door
Il loud knocking was heard on the house
top. The girl also noticed the noise but
all efforts to find the cause of the noise
signally failed, and the girl was again
subjected to the strange torment.
On Fridays and Saturdays Miss Tintsey
had these spells regularly every fifteen
minutes, and constant care has TO be
taken to prevent her from being smothcred
to death by the cotton. She never COM
plains of any pain from these attacks, but
is growing weaker every day. Physicians
from jackson have been to see her, and
it is said that 5000 people have witnessed
tIlc NV'hi"S AVN
Jackson. They continue to go to see her,
and arc as greatly mystifed as ever.
Mr.. Lee Heath, as responsible man rs
the county contains, relates this
Il went to see the girl to ascertain, if
possible, the cause, of her torment. When
one of her spells came on her she began
to complain of the approach of Il woman
in yellow bearing in her hand the bit of
cotton She pointed to the woman, but |
told her there was no one in the room,
but she insisted there was !hcn COW
cred the girls throat with my hand, and
taking off my hat began to fan vigorously
near her throat so as TO prevent the de-
post of cotton In spite of this prccau-
ton all at once ! saw the cotton pass
between the vibrations of my hat. and
raising my hand from her throat was sur
priscd TO find that the bit of cotton had
been deposited under my hand on her
throat | am unable to say what 1t Is,
but do say that the girl is not practicing
any deception
Mr. W. r: Jones, another ncighbor, II
man whose vcracity none who know him
will question, assures me that the wonder
full report is founded Oh fact He says he
has visited the girl and witnessed all TIE
phenomena attending her affection, and
that il has not been exaggerated. Mr.
Jones saws her parents think she is be-
witched, and say that some time ago she
had trouble with woman, now living in
Gibson county, who threatened her with Il
terrible trouble.
The parties are making no money out OF
the affair and this together with the
great mental agony of the girl and the
wasting away of her body, besides the
evidence of many of the best people in
The county, proves that this is no affair to
be treated lightly, and representatives of
the State board of health should visit her
and thoroughly investigate the affair."
which has certainly created the greatest
excitement ever known in our county.
Every one who feels SO disposed is at lib
erty to visit Mr.. Hayes family and be
convinced of the truth contained in this
article.