The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-03-21

Lashby. notorious car ana noIc, ,n,c,,
known as Franklin. the kangaroo
Man. from the fact that he had been
exhibiting himself In museums, having
n pouch of-skin on his breast similar to
that found on the female kangaroo.
1--WE were advised to have him exam.
ined by a physician, when he would
likely give In and confess his crime, as
he had done In Leeds. England. some
years previous.
"This advice was acted upon, and tho
rogue really did confess. He stated
that after robbing a victim he had
spotted he dropped the plumber in the
pouch he had caused to grow on his
breast and that before being tripped
up In England had secured quite q snug
sum Of money.
He was careful not to exhibit his
peculiar formation In this country and
had hoped TO pick up fortune. when
he interfed to GO to his home in Aus
tralia- believe the fellow would have
succeeded. too, had 1t not been for the
tip we got from the English author
tiles. Nothing could ever be found on
him. and 1t would have been an ex-
extremely hard matter indeed to con-
vict him.
Upon being pressed for an explana-
ton as to how he had caused the
growth of the pouch on his body he
said that while studying medicine In
Melbourne he had seen In side show
Of circus IN elastic skin man. which
condition, the freak had told him, was
brought about by continual pulling
and stretching Of the cuticle.
"He began to experiment upon him
self. and, finding how loose the skin
was getting, the novel idea of produc-
ing kangaroolike pouch on his chest
took possession OF him, and, being of
a rowing disposition, he determined to
become freak, tf possible. BY travel
ing about and exhibiting himself he
could easily earn enough money to de-
fray expenses.
"After getting the skin thoroughly
loosened up over his chest he made an
incision In length about FIVE inches d.
rectly across the breast bone in line
with the fifth rib. Pulling tie wound
apart, he packed 1t with antiseptic
gauze. each day pulling more and more
upon the skin at that point and at each
renewal Of the gauze forcing greater
quantity into the aperture.
FINALLY, after over years tedious
work, more or less suffering and sever
al narrow escapes from blood poison
Ing. his will power triumphed. The
desired result was obtained, and he set
out to exhibit himself as the Great
Australian Freak, Franklin, the Kan
garoo Man.
"As may be imagined, his success was
phenomenal, and he became wealthy
beyond his fondest dreams; but, like
many other people, money was his
ruin.
"He soon became so addicted to drink
that he failed to fulfill his engage
ments, and his managers forsook him
one after another. 1t was not long un-
til he took to thieving, and had it not
been that he was known rs freak in
England 1t is hardly likely that he
would ever have been convicted in that
country.
"Like others, too, OF the criminal
class, he chose that life after he once
entered 1t In preference to an honest
pursuit Of wealth partly from the ex-
element connected with it and partly
from the loss Of self respect.
1T is strange, but unless he distend-
ed the pouch no one would have
thought the appearance Of his chest
due to anything but the accidental
cause he stated. The upper part Of the
wound hung over the lower edge and
seemed simply great. horrid scar.
"Well. friends, we're getting to my
destination, and I'll bid you gcedby.
By the way. Lashby's term in the Kan
sas penitentiary will expire In a few
months. If any Of you want to go into
the show business, there's chance
Philadelphia Press.