West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-04-23
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Poor brought to the County Infirm-
airy, from near GAINESVILLE, a poor,
unfortunate specimen Of humanity
named Charles Hillery. 1t is of
the male gender, but wears dresses,
and as iC is hardly human, we will
speak Of it as "It." There has
been a constant stream of visitors
at the Poor House TO see it, and all
kinds OF lies have been told about it
beng "A "Man-snake" and an "Aw-
full monstrosity." etc. And it is
a repulsive object, but no more so
Il an lots of other idiots. 1t is
natural born idiot and is deaf and
dumb, without any mind or intel
lect whatever, and it is hard 20
believe that such being has soul.
In fact, we won't vouch for it, aud
If it ever lands in the realms of st.
Peter aud takes it's place in the
procession with harp and hosannas.
it will have to be first remodeled
and reconstructed before it can ever
strike the tune or play on harp of
one string, let alone a thousand.
Sunday was beautiful day, and
half the town, at least, went out to
the Hotel Brand to meet Mr.. Hill
lery, who greeted them by gritting
his teeth and frothing at the mouth,
and occasionally kicking his heels
in the air. 1t requires two atten-
dants. and two of the other paupers
were holding it, one on each side.
When let loose it runs hero and
there, gets into mischief and dis
turbs the other inmates. 1t hasn't
even sense enough to make signs or
knock up against the wall, but be-
comes yicious when angered and is
troublesome, but Glen" Dngan can
hold 1t down. Hen sleeps with il
and watches over it, but it kicked
him out of bed the other night, and
Mr.. Brand had to go in to quell the
riot. Special arrangements will DO
made for keeping it. A room will
be prepared on purpose, although
1T may, fortunately, not live long,
as it's chest is contracted and lungs
weak, and it now has chronic
cough. Its parents were intelligent
people and kept and cared for their
unfortunate offspring while they liv-
ed, but the father died several years
ago and the mother about month
age. She had cancer and died
from the effects Of it. No one
would keep it now, and so the
Ovcrseer of the Poor lad to bring
it to the Infrmary. It's teeth do
not come together right and it sab
sists on Cruel or liquid food alto
gether. When it gets hungry or
thirsty it points to its mouth, about
the only intelligent sign it makes.
1t is a great charge to keep, and the
Poor House keeper should be allow.
ed extra for such a burden.
We are informed that there are
other children in the family who are
sensible and bright enough. The
trouble was caused by the mother
becoming terribly frightened at
snake while pregnant with this child
that had better never been born. 1t
would really be a great blessing II
there WAS some Law to put such
things cut Of the way. 1t would be
a great relief to the unfortunate and
everybody about it. The startling
account about it IN the Wheeling
Inteilfgencsr Of last Saturday
brought DR.. Hartigan, one Of the
University Professors, eyer from
Morgantown Sunday to see it. lie
was, Of course, greatly disappointed.
and IS now looking for the Tatelli-
geHcsr reporter with a stuffed club
and cannon in his mp pocket.
| The Southern Investment and
Saving Association Of Piedmont is
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