Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-30
CRAB-CLAWED FOLK.
A Hideously Deformed Family Found
in a Pleasant Valley.
HANDS AND FEET LIKE BEASTS.
A Weird Legend Says Their Affection Fol-
lowed Curse
UTTERED BY A TORTURED PEDDLER

valley is about seven miles long by from
one to three miles wide, and is one of the
most picturesque spots in the western part
of the State, but as it is almost inaccessible,
the beauty and grandeur of this valley is
but little known to tie outside world.
The descendants of some of the first set
Their name is Wright, and they comprise a
family of 25 or so. OF them there is not
one that is not deformed in some manner
about the hands and feet. The deformity is
SO peculiar as to have given them the name
of "crab-claws," and their name would,
perhaps, describe their detormity better
than any other that could be applied to
them.
That family having such a peculiar de-
formitv really does exist is doubted by many
who have heard of them, and, in order TO
ascertain if there was any truth in the re-
port, THE DISPATCH correspondent visited
the valley recently. He first visited the
school and questioned the teacher in regard
to the matter. The teachers name is for
obvious reasons, omitted from this report.
The reporter reached the school at about 8
o'clock and waiting till the dismissal, half
an hour later, made known the object of
his visit.
A Strangely Afflicted Family.
eff had known" said the teacher, 'of
what you were in quest l could have shown
you sample of them right here, as one of
nv brightest pupils is little girlsabout II
years old, member of the family of which
you speak. However, as she has gone we
will call at her house where you can see a
part of the family. They act very strangely,
being fully aware of their misfortune, and
rfoin etr
frequently leave their house and go up into
the hills when there are many strangers in
the village"
About half an hour later the teacher and
reporter stood in front of dilapidated look
ing dwelling which was situated near the
Gowanda end of the valley and far up on
the side of hill. In response to knock
dozen faces appeared at the different win
dows and presently the door was opened and
the head of female stuck ont.
''Good afternoon, Mrs. Wright" said the
teacher, pleasantly, SIS Anna at home? I
wanted to tell her something about the
work for tomorrow which neglected to do
at the close of school"
The woman, who was fairly good looking,
surveyed the reporter suspiciously for
moment and then babe the teacher and his
companion come IN. This they did without
delay, but not one of the children whose
faces had appeared at the windows was
visible. The room was comfortably fur
nished and contrasted strangely with the
exterior of the building. The reporter
turned his gaze in the direction of the
woman who had let them in and beheld one
of the strange people of which he had heard.
Her hands had but two fingers each and the
feet were encased in immense round
shoes resembling, somewhat, a softening boot
worn by horses. Other than the two pecu-
liarities already mentioned therewas moth
ing to excite especial comment, except that
her general appearance was good.
Terrible Hands and Feet.
The woman called Anna at the request of
the teacher and presently a. girl about II
years old entered the room. She was bare
footed and view of her feet could be OBJ
tanned. She appeared to be trying to hide
her hands in the folds of her dress. Her
face was round and rosy and the reporter
thought about as handsome as any he had
ever seen. Her figure was well formed and
graceful, and altogether she would have at
tracted considerable attention anywhere |
had it not been for the horrible shape of |
her feet. They were about six inches long |
and had but two toes, or rather claws. The |
claws are about three inches long and re- |
semble huge crab claws more than anything |
called the instep and curve out around and |
then nearly meet at about three inches from
the place of beginning. On the end of the
.oes in place of the nails are small, sharp
pointed horns. The foot did not seem to
nave any joints in it whatever, as the girl
stepped in a solid sort of way without any
spring to her walk. All these things were
seen at a glance.
At first Anna appeared confused and /
1ashful, but soon, under the influence of
he teachers conversation with her, she be-
,ame more talkative and let her hands drop
rom the folds of her DRESS When the re-
porter first saw them he nearly fell from his
hair with establishment, and it was some
ime before he could gain the nerve to take
second look. The sight made the cold
hills chase each other up and down his
,ack, but finally he looked again. In place
# hand was long bonv finger, probably
i've or six inches long. 1t began with the
wrist, which was very small and tapered
lown for about two or three inches and then
xtended straight out the rest of the way.
As the girl closed her finger he saw that
here were five joints, and that the finger
eemed to curl up as an ordinary hand
Fould.
Writing With Both Claws.
The teacher had Anna get her pencil and
'aper and copy some of the things he had
rought for her to do. The girl laid the
aper on the desk, and, grasping the pencil
n both hands, wrote rapidly, and, as the re-
orter saw later, very prettily. While she
7as writing some of the children, having
egained their courage, began to enter the
oom. They were all barefooted, and their
eet were all formed exactly alike, and were
ust the same as Annals. Their hands, for
he most part, had two fingers that looked
imilar to their toes, but there was one or
wo with only one finger like Annals, and
theirs with three fingers on each hand.
here were ten in all ranging in ages from
to about Is years.
After few minutes more of conversation
he teacher nd'reporter prepared to go. AS
hey arose from their seats the teacher said:
Come, Anna, and kiss me goodby'
Chow could you bear to think of kissing
hat pretty girl?" said the reporter s.She
pretty, but her feet and hands are enough
D scare most any man out, and l should as
BON think of embracing Zip, the wild boy,
S her.
'sThat girl, though badly deformed, has a
oul just as much as anyone. Probably she
ever receives kiss except when kiss
er, as her parents are very stern and cross.
he appreciates one who cares for her and {
1ows interest in her. Her mother and
sther and several other members of the j
lmily, uncles and aunts, were not there to-
light. They were probably up in the hills
'mewhere working. If you could have
zen them you would have wondered how
ley ever came possessed of such hand
,me child, as they are both as homely as
n. If you were to stay here long and
'uld get acquainted with the people you j
ould not have such an aversion to them. i
experienced the same feeling myself when q
first came here, but, as you see, it has $