The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-08

ing his notes on the left side. while
closing the right pair OF eyes. He also
sang, but in rough. screechlng voice.
not 10 be listened to without disgust
| Peter stephan was a Portuguese re-
| siding In the town OF Watchet, in the
| year 1876. He was known among the
water-side folk as "Jackass Johnny"
| from the fact that nature had bestow-
| ed upon him. instead OF the proper or
gans, pair OF enormously long, furry
ears, exactly like those OF an ass He
had also an ASS muzzle." He would
eat grass. hay. corn, beans or such
dry stun. like a veritable ass; though
ne preferred bread, and sometimes de-
Noured large quantities OF raw meat
He was an idiot and lived among the
docks and wharfs. sleeping in the open
air by preference. The rough long
shore people amused themselves by in
dulging his inordlnate appetite for
liquor. and punching and kicking him
until ne roared. his voice. whether
for pain or for hunger. being the mere
praying or an ass. Speak he could
not. but when enraged. he would bite.
lnhictlng at times. dreadful wounds
upon his tormentors"
Were II not for the abundant evi-
dence In the case. we might well pause
ia abhorrent incredulity before the
story OF the Norfolk Spider" Rut
the facts seem to be thoroughly sub
stantiated. noe only by the disposition
known in their day. but by the state
ments OF two members OF parliament.
and OF William Danvers, a Clergyman
OF the Church OF England in high re-
pute.
saw this monstrous thing myself"
writes Danvers. Otherwise, Certainly.
could not have credited so awful q
manifestation of the Creators wrath
Except Tor It's human head II Is In all
respects. spider. 1t Is half the length
and weight of a grown man, Crawling
upon It's belly with six hairy jointed
legs with claws. IL Is round and bloat-
ed. coated with grayish short fur
striped with red. yellow and green. It's
under part Is reddish and naked The
head Is very fiat with scant brtstles
about the mouth. the eyes large black
and protruding. From the upper lip on
each side pretend large fangs II is of
sucn frightful aspect THAI I was sick
with the sight OF H. 1t IS very fierce
in Its eating. and I was credibly in
Formed that VI had been known TO sieze
upon and devour the better part OF a
dog. Its simple bite is said to be pol
sonous. but OF this 1 found no proof.
II has neither speech nor reason"
One OF the weirdest as well as most
stories Of human deformi-
~. is that OF Edward Murdake. said
10 have been heir to one OF the noblest
In England. He never claim
"a the title. however. and committed
suicide In his 23d year. He lived in com
olete seclusion. refusing the visits
wen OF the members OF his own fam
ly. He was young man OF fine at
ailments. profound scholar. and a
musician OF rare ability. His figure
vas remarkable for its grace, and his
ace-'that Is to say. his natural face
vas that OF an Antlnous. But upon
he back Of his head was another face.
hat OF beautiful girl. lovely as a
ream. hldeous as a devil"
The female face was a mere MAST
occupying only a small portion OF the
osterior part OF the skull. yet exhib-
ling every sign OF intelligence. OF a
Malignant sort. however" II would be
cen to smile and sneer. while Nor
axe was weeping. The eyes would
pillow the movements OF the spectator
nd the lips would "gibber without
easing No voice was audible. but
Iordake AYERS that he was kept from
is rest at night by the hateful whis-
ers OF his devil twin" as he called II.
which never sleeps, but talks 20 me
'rever OF such things as they only
peak OF in hell. No Imagination can
,ncelve the dreadful temptations n
Is before me. For some unforgiven
ickedness OF my forefathers I am
nit 70 this fiend-for a fiend IL surely
. i beg and beseech you TO crush IL
~ OF human semblance, even II / die
II IT," Such were the words OF the
lpless Mordake 10 Manners and
readwell his physicians. In spite OF
Ireful watching he managed 10 pro-
Ire poison whereof he died. leaving a
tier requesting that the demon
ce" might be destroyed before his
trial. lest II continue its dreadful
hisperings in my grace" At his own
quest he was inferred in a waste
ace. without stone or legend TO mark
> grave"
Charles Iotfn 1fl1rath