New-York tribune., 1899-11-26
TOO MUCH FOR THE CLEPK.
TERRIFIED BY THE INDIA RUBBER BOY
AND THE MAN WITH THE LOCO


A person who has had many years experienc.
in hospitals was speaking the other day TO a
number Of men interested in medical affairs
about human freaks.
do you know that the greatest human freaks
in the country, in fact in the world" exclaimed
the speaker. have never been exhibited IN q
museum or numbered among a circus's attrac-
tions? Have you ever heard of the india rubber
boy. or the negro whose heart was on his right
side, or the man with voice like a locomotive
whistle? Perhaps you have heard Of at least
the last great parsonage? They were really
great personages' In their own estimation. And
seemed to be glad that they were freaks"
None Of the listeners had ever seen or heard
OF the freaks.
Don't think for moment that the india
rubber boy was made OF rubber" continued the
speaker "or that he could twist himself into q
knot. He looked like a schoolboy He suffered
from some form OF epilepsy. and when he had ,
fit he would bounce up and down. That's why
they called him the india rubber boy"
How high did he bounce?" was asked
Il think about six feet. Some people said that
he sometimes bounced higher. but I doubt IL"
Did he have any control over himself when be
had a ht?"
mo. He never knew when or where he would
be stricken. and every time he simply bounced
until he became exhausted or unconscious
THE india rubber boy and the man with ths
voice like locomotive whistle one time nearly
| frightened TO death night clerk OF a local hos
pital. young physician made a tour OF the
| country some years ago exhibiting 70 medical
| associations the india rubber boy and the man
with the peculiar voice. This physician took
delight In having fun at the expense Of his
| friends He was we'll acquainted with the night
clerk and he selected him as a victim FOR one OF
| his pranks: one night after he had exhibited
his freaks before a medical society I'm this city,
the physician called at the hospital 20 see the
| night clerk. After talking with the clerk a few
minutes he left the freaks ated near a desk
I at which the clerk was at work and went into
an adjoining room 10 await developments The
| physician had some doubt about his plan being
| puccessful, as the man with the extraordinary
voice would only make noise like a locomotive
whistle when under great excitement. The man
! however. did what was expected OF him.
| Several times the clerk stopped work to
glance at his visitors. but their action did not
arouse his suspicious. Soon the india rubber
| boys teeth began to chatter. and the lad as
sumed a crouching attitude He was preparing
| to spring. The clerk saw the crouching form III
| front ot his desk and reached for a stick on
| nail at end OF his desk. As the clerk
grasped the stick the boy bounded upward ahs
| came down on his feet only 20 shoot upwau
| again. The clerk raised the stick as though ne
| intended hit the boy with IL, and then the
man who could make sounds resembling loco
! motive whistle became excited and sounded
| shrill blast His voice would have terrined Any
one The noise made by the man and the oos
bounding up and down In front OF the desk wsIs
too much for the clerk He rushed from ,s .s
room and sounded call FOR help. All the ms s
| orderlies responded to the call and TOT sGss
there was great excitement In the place. nn
| physician restored order by making an eAp.ann
tion but the clerk nsvsr spoke 70 nun ASs1- -