The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-12
WERE WOLVES.

Bloody Deeds by Africans Disguised
IN the skins of Leopards.
This stimulation OF lycanthropy, says
letter from Africa GoIdthtOaite's Geograph-
deal Magazine, is known here by the name
of "KuYon,n which has been translated into
Krovboy English as the man tiger. The
Kroyboy English name is q misnomer, as it
is well known that no tiger exist in Africa,
but it is also well-known fact that there
are man-eating leopards. In one month,
In district comprising some twenty square
miles, more than twenty people were killed
by the leopards. At first the writer was
very skeptical as TO the power of this animal
to carry off human beings, but that power
has been fully substantieped. II Is also a
well known fact that human beings dis
guised in leopards' skins have simulated the
ways Of these animals, and, like them. lay
in wait to destroy their fellow creatures.
Several malefsctors have been convicted
and executed by the authorities for this
crime, and when brought 20 trial the skin
and different articles employed have been
produced In most cases The man or woman
who assumes this part must kill seven IA
magical number among the natives living
animals, including the human species, dogs,
fowls, deer, etc. After this he can render
himself invisible and be invulnerable. The
first thing he must possess is a complete
leopard skin. and then in the darkness of
night he must make the small tomahawk he
carries and the spikes used on the hands.
These are made out of a gun that has killed
even people, tempered with blood freshly
Grawn from himself. At full moon he must
hold a vigil alone by the banks OF broad
stream. and watch steadily the reflections
of the moons image in the water, during
which time the novitiate is supposed to SEQ
wonderful visions and obtain supernatural
strength.
Then, lying in wait for his prey after the
manner Of the leopards, he pounces upon
his unwary victim, tearing open his throat
and drinking his life blood. The lycau-
thrope then proceeds 10 dismember the body
OF his victim, pulling off, by main force,
thumbs, big toes and flesh between the eyes,
and then tearing open the still quivering
body to obtain the heart. The latter is
eaten. When the body is anoInted with the
fat about the entrails it is supposed to CON-
fer invisibility.
Strangers and women passing alone on
the road are the usual victims. The writer
was present in Mayumba with Mr.. Evans
when a native Of Gamma was traced and
caught in the bush after suspicious had
been aroused, owing to the slaughter Of two
other Gamma men. AS the Europeans had
no jurisdiction and the native chiefs of Ma.
yumba decided they could not interfere
the man was sent on 30 his own people, and
was sfterward executed there for similar
offense shortly after his arrival.
Here In the interior, in order to prevent
the spread of the Kuyon, the skin OF every
leopard killed is cut into narrow strips anc
divided among the elders of the place. Quit
recently, however, | was in native villag,
and saw the leopard skin spikes followed u
receive the fingers. A small wedge SHAPED
tomahawk was attached thereto through
hole in the wooden handle, which wa
plentifully bedaubed with blood. The Ku
yon's disguise had been found secreted in
hollow tree, and l was present at the con
fAssion and death. 1t was a woman name
Aroonda, about 40 years old. She con
fessed to the murder of three men and on
woman. and regretted that she had nc
been able to find more victims to make u
the magic total of seven.
She was Of fragile appearance and
seemed physically impossible that she ha
done the deeds imputed to and confessed b
her, From her appearance, and because {
the wild expression Of her eyes, I fully bt
heve she was insane, but this. whe
preached, was secuted by the judge. as ST
had successfully carried to her househol
and family duties Her two children wei
sold into slavery, the natives having d
idea the offspring OF a KuYon sooner {
latter attain the same instinct. The hui
band and family were unanimous in desil
ing the removal of the children TO such
distance that they would be u liable to r
turn to the town and it was only by Co
tined intercessions that they were not ext
cuted along with the mother.
Each Kuyon plans individually b
schemes and career. and in an experien
of over twenty years here in Africa ha'
known only two cases. both OF which we
In Gaboon, where two or more persons Ell
gagged in concert to perform their ferocio
and nefarious murders, and under no CT
cumstances should it be considered an ass
citation Of members Of a secret society
May not a grinding sense of wrong r
celved without means of paying the a
gressor drive some of these people to t
verge of madness, or may it not be the
suit of an hereditary homicidal manal
WNKs-I can tell a. poet the moment
him
Minks-How9
whistle never looks like one.-Nelo Y,
Weekly