Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-31
AFTON'S MAD STONE.
1T WAS SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED
AGAIN RECENTLY.
How IT works-Brousht from Ger
many Many Years Ago-Gems ana
super.titions About Them-A Bur-
mese DeIief-NOfes.
Corresnondence Of the Dlspatch.)

Correspondence Of the Dispatch)
ALTON, VA, January 29.-The resi-
dents Of this little mountain hamlet were
thrown into quite a fever of excitement
one day last week by the arrival Of
gentleman on the down train, who was
in search Of the maidstone owned by
Mrs. Kerbey. a widow lady residing on the
old Brooksville road, just below Alton.
Mr.. Floyd NJ. Weaver, a lawyer Of
Luray, Va, while playing with his dog
was bitten upon the hand. Four hours
after he began 10 experience pain in the
wound, and upon inquiry, the startling
fact was elected that two dogs in the
nelghborhood had been bitten by Mr.
Viewers dog, and were showing signs
Of rabies. Mr.. Weaver left Luray at once.
He first went up to Saunton, the
pain in his hand increasing with much
swelling and Inflammation. Some time
was lost before he could find out where
this stone was.
Upon reaching Mrs. Kerbey's the mad
stone was at once applied and adhered
closely, showing the presence OF poison
I'm the wound. 1t was kept on all night
and chung so firmly that the hama could
be turned over without the stone falling
off Virus exuded from the bite and
settled around the stone. When IT was
fun the stone was taken OF ana dipped
i'm a cup Of warm water to cleanse IT,
This was repeated as often as the stone
would stick on. the water showing a
thick, greenish-white slime on top. In
oculation with this poison is thought
TO be as deadly as a mad-dog's bite.
u
Viewers hand ceased, and the swelling
went down. After a night and day of
rest he was relieved Of his sufferings and
returned home.
This maidstone has been often applied,
always showing by the power of suction
If the bite of a dog is likely to be DANCE
rous, or is simply a common wound.
In the case of a little girl of Char
lottesville. the maidstone was applied
after fever and spasms were threatened
but the poison was drawn out. and the
bite Ga very bad one) safely healed over
This maidstone itself has quite his
tory. 1t is a smooth, dark-green stone,
shaped like small hoop. about one and
half inches long. 1t is very light in
weight and porous. though this is not
perceptible with the naked eye. The stone
i'm possession Of Mrs. Kerbey Is only one
half Of the original, which was sawed in
two at the smaller, or inner end.
BROUGHT FROM GERMANY.
The Alton maidstone was brought TO
America by Mrs. Kerbey's grandfather,
Frederick Harte, of Stuttgart, Germany
who settled in Albemarle county over 100
years ago.
To the best Of Mrs. Kerbey's knowl-
edge. as told her By her father the
stone had been owned by some Frede-
rick Harte for several generations. OF
father to son, before coming TO her
grandfather. IT was found upon bat
tlefeld by the first owner.
Failing any male name Of the Harte
family. Mrs Kerbey had the maidstone
skifully sawed in two pieces, TO be left
as a legacy The other half is owned by
Mr.. NJ Kerbey, of Hinton, w. Va.
From whatever virtue the curative
value OF this stone has been proved. Men
OF science and medical experts have ex-
pressed great interest in it. but are not
able TO explain either how the mad
stone cures. or where or by whom its
efficacy was discovered.
The maidstone is believed by some per-
sons TO be formed in the stomach of a
deer. and that it comes from the salinei
properties Of lick or spring frequented
by deer in countries where these waters
abound.
1t is well known that the pearl is really
the tear of an oyster. 1t is purely
product of pain. yielded in round drops
upon any foreign substance that pene-
trates the shell and disturbs or irritates
this most unpoetical but esculent fish.
The ancients attached great virtues 10
stones or gems The amber was said TO
by a convection Of birds tears. The birds
which wept were the sisters of Meleager,
who never ceased weaping for their bro
TIERS death. In mythology the emerald
promoted friendship and constancy OF
mind. II a serpent fixed its eyes on an
emerald. II went blind. One would not
care TO prove this, though 1t Is an all
round lucky stone-successful In love
and business. In Christian art the
emerald IS dedicated to st. John. the
garnet was the carbuncle of the ancients.
II brought health and joy. and belongs
to January. Perhaps it brought cold
weather; II so. there must have been a
recent importation.
THE OPAL
Given an engagement, the opal is n
sure token of misfortune, and the soos
er II is returned TO the giyer, or bestowed
upon a rival. the better.
I know of one exception. A costly
opal ring was sent TO schoolgirl in n
southern seminary, by the usual donor.
She gave it 10 her roommate. IT was
far too pretty a ring, as she said, TO
throw away. but the first recipient can
didly confessed that she was afraid TO
wear DIT. 1t is possible that handsome
Young professor, in "A boys college near
by. may have induced this extra
caution. However the other girl put
the ring on and kissed and named II.
.t..lt . IA, Apa tn-~a ne
she came out ahead, and the following
vacation the professor. the girl. the
opal ring. and another. OF plain gold,
ali went off on a honeymoon together
The onyx contains an imprisoned
devil. This would be perfectly harm
less. IL II only stayed there; but 1t
awakes at sunset and causes terror 10
the wearer. 1t disturbs sleep with ugly
dreams. Cupid with the sharp point OF