Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-15
POSSESSES TWO HEARTS.
Remarkable Claims Made by Colored
Man.

Yesterday the famous colored man,
whose peculiar case has attracted the
attention Of the entire medical world,
arrived in this city, and after calling
upon q number of physicians, arrange
ments were made for an investigation
of his remarkable claims at the Office Of
DR.. j. L. Dickey yesterday afternoon.
Several well known physicians were
present.
The colored man first told the story
of his life, claiming to be rs years OF
age. His remarkable physical con-
struction was first discovered when he
was II years Of age. He said that he
remembered George Washington, and
had been in the war Of 1912. BY simple
mathematical calculation 1t will be
readily seen that the colored gen.
tleman is slightly off, either in re-
gard to his age or his regard for verac-
ity. He is about 65 years of age, and
remarkably well preserved. He claims
to have given an exhibition OF his re-
markable powers before the Queen Of
England and all the crowned heads OF
Europe. There is no doubt, however,
about his having been examined by
many noted men in this country who
are interested in anatomical study. He
stated that his hair had turned gray at
several periods of his life, but by some
remarkable means its original color was
each time restored. He carries with
him an iron rod, shaped like shep-
herds crook, which he bends over his
arm to give an idea of his muscular
strength.
The most interesting thing about the
man, however, is the possession OF two
distinct hearts, one upon the left side
In it's normal position, and another up
on his right side. This claim was APP
parently true, as the beating and
humping could be distinctly felt at the
positions indicated by the subject. The
man also claims to have no diaphragm,
and saws he can force the heart down
into the region of the groiDs. During
the examination yesterday afternoon he
went through several contortions OF the
body, then after supreme muscular
effort, the physicians placed their ears
to his left grain, and could recognize an
unmistakable throb and pulsatlon,
which could not be detected in the
former pOSlOlOu VI OuO hOUis Az S~
demonstrated that he could stop the &C
ton of either heart. Another mighty
contraction of the muscles, and the
throbbing of the pulse and the heart
could not be detected.
The man next undertook to demon
strate that he possessed two sets ofribs.
The contortions were repeated, great
plunge made, and down went the ribs
into the abdominal cavity, where they
could be counted by the wrinkles in the
flesh. The "other set," however, re-
NAMED in its place.
The examination was quite interesting
TO the physicians, bat 1t was the gem
eral opinion that the colored man prac-
ticed deception, with which he was
quite an adept. The secret OF his re-
markable power was thought to lie in
the perfect control of his muscles. This
control is so complete that he can make
the muscles rigid in any part OF bis
body. The physicians account fer the
apparent presence of the second heart,
and of a heart in the grolns, by the fact
that the muscles become so rigid that
the sound is transmitted from the true
heart. The colored man will remain
here for several days, and will probably
give another exhibition Of his power.