Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-08


mortal coil He was then %. and the en-
terprising medicine men thought that hs
would not hold out much longer. They
could not see how man with as big head
for as little body to feed it could hang Oh
beyond SO years, the average of human life.
So the endowment was set aside for his
m maintenance, the conditions being that he
sho uld not permanently leave the District
of Columbia, and that they should have his
body for scientific purposes when he had no
further use for it.
I had q talk with this great physical
curiosity not long ago. He has pretty
clear head; but there is a striking peeu-
liarity about his mental processes which
has led some people to think that he has In
his prodigious head two distinct sets of
brains, which sometimes work in unison
and sometimes do not. It is this singular
feature of the little mans makeup that has
excited the wonder of tine doctors. Dime
museum people have been after him for
ten years; but family pride has led
him to refuse some good offers. He re-
marked, with glance of cool shrewdness,
that if it was any object for me to know it,
two of the doctors who put up the bonus
were dead. Then, after pause, he added:
SIN regard to the third, I think my lease of
life is about as good as his"
A good many people about Washington
think that it is a simple case of hydro
cephalus, though this is seemingly mega
tived by the fact that this peculiar ailment
has never been known to allow its victim to
enjoy 4S years of life, good health and good
wit Lotus Parker is one of the characters
of the Capital. He is as distinctively an
individuality as Beau Hickman, the most
~ o11 oh "a
a figure at all outdoor doings of the gay
political metropolis. Music is one of his
passions. 1t is singularly like the case of
Blind Tom, but of course he has greater in
telligence. He is a very religious man, and
is "a member of the Metropolitan Methodist
Church. He was even an interesting figure
at Parson Newman's fervid discourses, and
helped along with the worship by his fine
singing. He has good tenor voice, which
has some notes remarkable for sweetness
and vigor.
In the second year Of the Grant
Administration the Metropolitan Church
decided to get grand chime for the church,
When the chime was ready for delivery,
it was thought to be prudent to send
musical expert to Troy to test it before ac-
ceptance. 1t was the intention to have the
best chime in America, and P rker was Sc
lected for this delicate service. An edu-
Gated musician went along to supply what
technical knowledge might be necessary,
but Parker was to furnish the nice judg-
ment on harmony. The musician-I will
not name him, as he is prominent-said the
bells were all right, but Parker said they
were not. Two or three did not suit him,
and he told why, in his peculiar manner.
After a whole week of squabbling, the lit
tie man made his point, and the bad bells
OF Soro Ia 10
founders, by new ones of truer tone.
When the citizen or visitor at the capital
is thrilled these bright Sabbath mornings of
autumn with the harmonies of "Green-
vile" 'eNearer, My God, to Thee" or the
Missionary Hymn, from the Metropolitan
chime, lie should bear in mind that part
of his treat is due to the stubborn persist
ence and the discriminating musical sense
of Lotus Parker, the man with twin
brains, "the little man with the biggest
head" the man who has helped bury two of
his would-be dissectors and expects to sing
at the funeral of the third!
EDsoN BRACE