The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-17
JERDON A MAN OF NERVE.
A Colored Citizen of Montrose Emulates
the Example Of Mark Twain's Hero and
Cuts orr His own Leg.

Cuts orr His own Leg.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Montrose, Pa, April 16-In this little
village clustered on the bosom of the
grandest hills in Susquehanna county
dwells negro, Jerdon Blair by name,
whose career has been interesting. He
has for some time been a charge of
the town and does not enjoy an envia-
BILE reputation, Notwithstanding the
fact he was a regular preacher at the
church attended by people of his own
race. In a recent interview Jerdon
gave Tribune correspondent an inter-
esting account of his life. Jerdon
Blair came into this sinful world fifty
two years ago. He certainly looks it;
the wool on the top of his head has
grown so long that hairpins are neces-
sary articles, and judging from the
shiny appearance of his coiffure, vase
line had played "a prominent part in his
mornings toilet. His appearance at
once suggested the typical old negro
one sees ON the variety stage and as
he poured forth in a mellifuent manner
the story of his life, his large CLASSY
eyes showed a certain viciousness char
acteristic of the prohigate black.
Twenty-eight years ago, while dig
ging we'll, 1t caved in while he was
at its bottom, the top of his head being
twenty-six feet below the surface. I'm
mediately steps were taken for his re-
covery, but for twenty-six hours he was
entombed in the bowels of the earth.
When taken out for dead and while be-
ing carried to his home he evidenced
signs of life in various ways. the prin-
cipal one being uttering Spanish oaths.
ATrip to Shcoi.
While in the well and undoubtedly in
a state of coma, he AYERS that he en-
tered the place of departed spirits; was
weighed upon a pair of scales over
which a herald angel presided and
found wanting. He departed to the
place Of torture and while there saw
many of the old and familiar faces
I'm Montrose. He was from this
purgatorial state rudely awakened by
the point of a pick, which struck him
with no light force on the apex of his
Uranium.
From that day up until short time
ago he has vigorously pursued the vo-
cation Of a well digger, with an occa-
slonal term in the county jail or vary
ing to cellars, and once sanl, so low as
to dig graves. The crowning event of
his life happened recently and his
name will be handed down to posterity
as the man who cut his own leg Off
The effects of his well escapade did
not soon wear off, but small hard
punches appeared on his right foot
shortly after his terrible experience.
They caused him no trouble for years
until in 1889. when they began to dis
charge yellowlsh fluid and rapidly
grew worse.
He consulted regular physicians and
surgeons and medicines of an external
and internal nature failed to arrest the
progress of these now unsightly ulcers.
The prominent veins Of his legs were
corded and absolutely purple, so that
he was finally advised by the men of
medicine that gangrene was slowly,
yet surely, making Its ravages and in
time his entire leg wouldsbe festered
member. He shrank from their knife
and scalpel and would not allow the
amputation OF his leg at the thigh.
Soon, however he saw that something
was necessary, the pain constantly in
creasing and torture was his only COM
panion. So after hunting about his
small cabin, he found an old rip saw a
small file and from his person
he took the long treacherous knife
which played such a prominent part in