The age-herald., 1897-10-13
Much Excitement Among the
 Ignorant Negroes
OVER A WAG'S SMALL JEST
Story of Man-Chd Prophesyng the End of Time is Near at Hand Creates a Panic
 The Drought in Tennessee.

and surroundings. Many of them, in fact, are so wrought up that state of panic greater far than that brought about by the recent smallpox epidemic exists.
 In many instances washerwomen who heretofore have been as regular as clock work have failed ito call for the weekly washing, much to the discomfort of the housewife and the man who does 'the daily chores is no more to be seen. They are studying out plan of salvation and preparing for "jedgment day" which, they assert with bated breath, is not far off,
 The congregations at the various col ored houses of worship have been great ly augmented and the 'amens" are loud and plentiful.
 With them the present drought, ae this season unprecedented In years, is no laughing matter, is not delusion, nor is 1t matter of water to drink or for washing purposes. Up to a few days ago they had given the long dry spell no serious thought. But a wag, thinking to be witty, had evolved from his fer tile brain 8 story similar to one which went the rounds in 1S59-60. The story of that day had it's effect not alone upon the negro, but ignorant whites gave it more than a passing thought and after events tended to make their belief in soothsayers everlas ting and ever-albound- ing.
 The story of 1S59-60 was to the effect that male child had been born, whose years were already the full three score and ten, and whose mouth was full of teeth his face adorned with a hirsute appendage in accord with his years. The man-cihild, as he was termed, was given the credit of saying: "One year of plenty, then comes a year of blood" The crops of 1860 were said to have been abundant, then followed the civil war, which made history.
 The story of 1897 is to the effect that a similar male child had been born in the past week in one of the Decaturs. He had the same appearance, teeth and hair, and was credited with foretelling the end of time.
 An old negro, about the ordinary run of his kind in intelligence tells the story as follows:
 q tell you, boss, dis weder Is orful, an do you know. dey do say as how white baby wuz born in Decatur last week which wuz a monsterousity. A white man tole us dat de child wuz full grown in years, had all of it's teef and wuz wrinkled and old like an had a great long white beard. After it wuz born little while it got up In de bed and said, "Taint gwine ter rain no more and Christmas is put off til jedgment day. an den he died"
 He spoke with bated breath and with solemnity which clearly showed his firm belief in the joker's witticism.
 When asked if he really gave any credit to the story. he answered as earnestly as before: "'Cose I dug, boss Dug yer tink de white folks would put sich ting in de papers 'cept 1t wuz de gospil truf"
 He was reasoned with, but to no avail and on being queried as to the extent of credence given the story, said:
 "AH de niggers ip>m my part ob town am prayin' an gittin ready fer jedg- menu day. Boss, spec you had better be gittin' ready, eos de weder am git tin wus and wusser. Dat little sprinkle Monday wuz jes a little to tempt de wicked like de rich man Dives when he axed Satan fur a drap of water to cool his tongue in de low grounds"
 Jefferson county is feeling the effects of the drought. In many places wells are dry, as are fine bold springs, which were wont to give forth pure, life-giv- ing waters from the bowels of the earth.
 
 "I have just returned from Columbia. Tenn.," said Jack Phillips, the packing house man, "and I tell you the drought
  has simply knocked things higher than the Dingley tariff bill. Some of the boys in that part of Tennessee say the drought is Mckinley prosperity, and what they will do in 1900 will be plen- ty in retaliation. Every one is dis couraged over the unusual spell of weather, so much so that many have not even broken ground for winter wheat and rye. It was almost impcssi- ble to get cattle to the railroad, so scarce was the water. and in many in- stances I paid 50 and 75 cents barrel for the much needed article, and the barrels were small at that. Before placing stock in cars for shipment it be- came absolutely necessary to make a lob Eolly of water and mud for tffem to stand in. I don't want to see any more