The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-17
SOUTHERN CLAY.EATERS.
Description Of a Rem arkabie Peo-
pie Living In Alabama.

ole Living IN Alabama.
Among the rugged hills OF Marion
county, in the extreme northwestern
portion of Alabama, live about 200
white families whose principal food is
white clay. When Western Alabama
was first settled by the whites, 1880
So, their ancest ors came from the hills
OF North Georgia and South Carolina.
The clay eaten by them is a pale
white color, very soft, and is found In
large quantities in various portions OF
Virginia, North Carolina. Georgia,
Tennessee and Alabama. Recently it
has been largely used in the adultera.
ton or baking powder, cream OF tar
tar, and even -four, says the Pittsburg
magnesia and ls by no means unplsas.
ant even to novice. When first tax.
en- from the bank or bed OF the stream
where it is found 1t has an oily
appearance. but this disappears when
it is dry. The clay. eaters roll 1T into
little balls which can be carried in the
pocket, and when they are ready to
eat 1t water 10 poured over it until 1t
is wet and soft again. 1t is never eat.
en- dry, for in that state 1T Is easily
broken into a very fine powder or dust
which would fill the throat and lungs.
The home OF the clay-eater is log
hut, containing only one room, and
no matter how large his family may
be they all eat and sleep in the same
room. Around the cabin is u little
clearing, where q patch OF corn and
one OF potatoes are cultivated, and
most OF them have a small garden,
where they raise few beans and cab
bage. A few of them have horses. but
the majority have only oxen ter the
farm work. They some times raise
fair crops OF corn, as the soil Is very
fertile and little cultivation is needed.
There is no market for the corn ex
cept at the nearest illicit distillery,
where it is converted into mountain
dew" or moonshine whisky. Hogs
are owned by q few OF them, but they
are small and OF inferior breed. For
meat they depend on killing wild game,
deer. turkeys and squirrels, which are
found in large numbers among the
hills.
1t is twenty miles from the hills where
the clay.eaters live to the nearest
country town, and almost twice that
distance to the nearest railroad.
Very few OF them ever saw a train.
and they know absolutely nothing oi
modern inventions, such as sewing
machines and cooking stoves. None
of them can read or write, and there
no such thing as school house In
their settlement.
Fifteen miles from the neighborhood
OF the clay eaters there is q country
store where they barter eggs, chickens
moonshine whisky, deer and coon
skins tor coffee, powder and shot.
At this store one day recently tie
writer had an opportunity OF study.
ing the clay eaters. The first arriva!
from the hills OF the clay. eaters was a
one-ox wagon containing a woman
and a basket. A short distance be.
hind the wagon came the woman's
husband with long rifle on his shOul.
der. The woman drove up near the
front door OF the store, and in re.
sponss to q whoa" the OK stopped
and Immediately attempted to lie
down. Another whoa" from the
woman brought him TO his feet and he
stood still, q picture OF brute patience
and resignation worthy the brush oi
an artist. The man was dressed in
rough homespun clothes badly worn,
his hair was long and moed
while his thin sallow face was covered
with a straggling growth OF beard. Ii
was evident that the man had never
been shaved in his life. His lace was
dirty, his eyes deep set and watery,
which gave his face q look OF hopeless
indifference, ignorance and Incidence.
"Howdy!" was his salution to the
store keeper, and with n curious glance
at the STRANGER, he seated himself on
a barrel.
Whats aies bringin' now?"
Fifteen cents in trade. a bit cash. II
"Got any POWDER"
"Plenty OF it. just opened a new
keg."
"Fetch them ar aigs her, SAL" said
the clay eater, turning to his wife.
The woman slowly clambered out
OF tine wagon, picked up a small bas.
ket and entered the store, plancine
around her pervouslv as she advanc.
ed.
"Good morning. Mrs. smith," said
the storekeeper.
"Howdy," answered the woman.
How many eggs have your" asked
the storekeeper.
The woman glanced at her husband,