Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-11-19
WERE WOLVES.
Bloody Deeds by Africans Disguised In
the Skins of Leopards.

a letter from Africa in G0idtbUaiie's
Ge0grdphjcai Hagazjae, Is known here
by the name of "Kuyon," which has
been translated into Krovboy English
as the man tiger, although the practice
is not wholly confined to men. The
Krovboy English name is a misuomer,
as it is well known that no tigers exist
in Africa, but it is also a well-known
fact that there are man-eating leopards.
In one month, i'm a district comprising
some twenty square miles, more than
twenty people were killed by the
leopards. At first the writer was very
skeptical rs to the power of this animal
to carry off human beings, but that
power has been fully substantiated. 1t
is also a well-knoWn fact that human
beings disguised in lcopards' skins have
simulated the ways OF these animals,
and, like them, lay in wait to destroy
their fellow creatures.
Several malcfuctors have been con-
victcd and executed by the authorities
for this crime, and when brought to
trial the skin and different articles em-
ployed have been produced in most
eases. The man or woman who assumes
this part must kill seven Ga magical
number among the natives) living
animals, including the human species,
dogs, fowls. deer, etc. After this he
can render himself invisible and be in-
vulnerable The first thing he must
possess is 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 seven people, tempered with
blood freshly drawn from himself. At
fun moon he must hold vigil alone
by the banks of broad stream, and
watch steadily the reflections, of the
moon, image in the water, during
which time the noyitiate is supposed to
see wonderful visions and obtain super
natural strength.
Thcnlyiug in wait for his prey after
the manner of the lcopards, he pouuces
upon the unWary victim, tearing open
his throat and drinking his life blood.
The lycanthropc then proceeds to lis
member the body of his victim, pulling
OF 10y main force thumbs, big toes, and
flesh between the eyes, and then tear
ng open abe still quiyeriug body To OBJ
tain the heart The latter is eaten.
When the hody is anoiuted with the fat
about the cutruiis it is supposed to con-
fer inlsihiity.
Strangers and women passing alone
on the ruad are the usual victims. The
writcrwas present I'M Nayumha with
Mir Eyau- VIXEN U.tNr of Gamma
wa. trace aur cau4a, in the bush
aJyr suep c.as# I., neau aroused owe
ing to the slaughter of two other Cam
ma men, As the Europeans had no
jurisdiction and the native chiefs of
Mayumba decided they could not inter
tere, the man was sent on TO his own
people, and was aftcrward executed
there for SIMILAR oiICnse shortly after
his arrival.
Here in the interior, in order to pre-
vent the spread of the Kuyon, the skin
of every leopard killed is cut into nal-
row strips and divided among the
elders Of the place. Quite recently,
however, was IN native village and
saw the lcupard-skin spikes followed
to receive the fingers. A small wedge
shaped tomahawk was attached there
TO through hole in the wooden
handle, which was pleutifuIy bedaubed
with blood. The Kuyon's disguise
had been found sccrcted in a hollow
tree, and | was present at the con-
fession and death 1t was woman
named Aroouda, about 30 years old.
She confessed TO the murder of three
men and one woman, and regretted
that she had not been able to find more
victims to make up the magic total of
seven.
She was of fragile appearance and it
seemed physically impossible that she
had done the deeds imputed to and
confessed by her From her appear
ance, and because of the wild express
sion of her eyes, | fully believed she
was insane, but this when preached,
was secuted by the Judge, rs She had
successfully carried ON her household
and family duties. Her two children
were sold into slavery, the natives hav-
ing the idea that the offspring of a
Kuyou sooner or later attain the same
instinct The husband and family
were unanimous in desiring the re-
moyal Of the children TO such dist
0uce they would be unable to return to
The town and il was only 10y continued
utercessions that they were not eN-
ecuted along with the mother,
Each kuyon plans individually his
schemes and career, and in an expert
e.ee of over twenty years here in
Africa | have known only two cases,
both of which were in Gaboou, where
two or more persons engaged in con-
cert to perform their frrocious and
nefarious murders and under no cir
cumstances should il be considered an
association of members of secret
society.
May not grinding sense Of wrong
received without means Of paying the
aggressor drive some OF these people to
the verge of madness, or may it not be
the result of an hereditary homicidal
maniac
A Courteous Invitation.