The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September
21, 1888.
A FEMALE CUROSITY.
Something About the "Dog-Faced" Girl
Now Living Near Willett.
One of
the most peculiar freaks of nature that has been produced in any country lives
with her mother in a small cabin new the banks of Bragg pond, about four miles
from Willett, Cortland county. It is a girl about fifteen years of age named Sarah
Walls, the daughter of a woman whom the denizens of the vicinity call "Rilla,"
but whose full name is said to be Orilla Walls.
The girl
excites much curiosity among strangers who happen to meet her in their fishing
excursions, because of protruding lower features. Her mouth, nose and chin seem
to be merged into the form of a dog's snoot, from which she has gained the
sobriquet, "The dog-faced girl," and is rarely spoken of otherwise.
Her laugh consists of a series of short yelps; her speech is almost unintelligible,
while her intellect is little above that of an idiot.
This Lusus Naturae is said to have outgrown many
of her canine instincts, but sufficient yet remain to make her a veritable curiosity.
When still a child she often amused herself by barking, and running on all
fours through the woods. It was her delight to sniff at decayed stumps and with
her hands tear away the soft wood in search of mice and chipmunks. Her speed through
the brush was marvelous, requiring the best efforts of a man to keep her in
sight.
She and
her mother eke out a scanty living by fishing and picking berries. The mother
is now about fifty years old. Though very illiterate, she is social and good-natured,
and does not appear to think there is anything remarkable in her offspring. The girl is of medium size, well developed, and
save for her dog like face would be considered attractive.—Binghamton
Republican, Sept. 15.
Cortland County Medical Society.
The fall
meeting of the Cortland County Medical Society was held at the Supervisors rooms
on Thursday Sept. 13. The meeting was called to order at 3 P. M., with the President
Dr. Geo. D. Bradford of Homer, in the chair.
The
physicians present were Dr. R. Gibbons Smart of Marathon, Dr. Wm. Fitch of Dryden,
Dr. M. L. Halbert of Cincinnatus, Drs. C. Green and Geo. D. Bradford of Homer,
and Dr. C. E. Bennett, Dr. H O. Jewett, Dr. J. Angel, Dr. F. W. Higgins, Dr.
Mina F. Wood, Dr. H. T. Dana, Dr. W. B. Coats, Dr. F. D. Reese, Dr. A. J. White
and Dr. E. A. Didama of Cortland.
Dr. H. S.
Edson of Cortland, and Dr. R. Gibbons Smart of Marathon, were elected members
of the society. Dr. W. J. Moore, Dr. H. C. Hendrick and Dr. H. D. Hunt, who had
prepared papers for the meeting were not present.
The first
paper read was by Dr. M. F. Wood, on cancer as a result of laceration of the
Cervix Uteri. It presented a careful account of the Pathology of both
affections and the connection between the two, and the proper treatment to be
adopted in the earlier stages of epithelioma. The result in three cases was given
and a strong plea made for an early examination and radical treatment when the
symptoms were present. The paper was discussed by Drs. Higgins, Green and Dana.
Dr. H. T.
Dana read the report of a case of strychnine poisoning in which tannic acid and
the stomach pump proved very useful in treatment. An interesting discussion followed
in which Dr. Jewett gave the particulars in two cases in his own practice. Dr.
White detailed a fatal case in which a small dose produced death before any
assistance could be rendered. Dr. Fitch gave a case successfully treated by 140
grains of chloral hydrate after two grains had been taken. While it was the opinion
of some of the members that absorption was too rapid to warrant other treatment
than such nerve sedatives as chloroform or chloral, others maintained that the chemical
antidote and lavage should be used in the hope that a part of the poison yet
remained in the stomach and could be removed.
Dr. C.
Green read a paper containing a history
of two cases with the autopsy of each. One in chronic intussusceptions [sic]
lasting three years ending in peritonitis, the other of adhesion
and perforation between adjacent coils of the ileum. The symptoms were
very similar in each ease and an exact diagnosis impossible during life.
The paper was discussed by Drs. Bradford, Dana and White. The
latter related a case somewhat similar that was relieved by a large
enema of ice water.
The last
paper was read by Dr. F. W. Higgins on the Therapeutic Use of Arsenic. It was not discussed owing to the lateness of the
hour.
A question
of medical ethics was brought up by Dr. Wood which elicited some discussion
with a general consensus of opinion that each physician should be very careful to
observe the spirit of the code.
The
meeting adjourned at five o'clock after an interesting session.
F. W. HIGGINS, Sec'y.
In Memoriam.
On the
night of the 28th of Aug. 1888, Albert Bean departed this life, aged seventy one
years.
He was
born in the town of Solon on the land which his father Josiah Bean, a pioneer of
the county, had wrought out from the wilderness into a pleasant farm. There he remained
while his five brothers went out into the world to seek their various fortunes.
Samuel, the eldest, still vigorous at eighty-five, resides in Homer, and Chauncey,
the youngest in Binghamton. Josiah and Thomas long since joined "the great majority,"
and five years ago the
much esteemed Jeremiah, passed away. Of his four sisters, Lydia, Mrs. Orrin Randall, and Mrs. Mary Jones, are still living.
He married
Delia, a daughter of Lyman Wheeler; she died early leaving a loving memory of
her goodness, beauty and talent in the hearts of all who knew her. Miss Rhoda Greenwood became his second wife and this
excellent lady with the three sons of his first marriage survive him.
Some
years ago he removed from Solon to the town of Cortlandville, where he passed
the remainder of his life. Such were the simple events of his unobtrusive career.
But the
sterling virtues of the man, his essential characteristics deserve to be held in
honored and grateful remembrance. Unswerving honesty, truthfulness, justice and
kindness, uniformly marked his sense of duty to his neighbor. He had no selfish
ambition, but a creditable desire to do all in his power for the comfort and
well being of his household, and to provide every advantage that education
could give for his sons. Surrounded by the rush of speculation, the haste to be
rich, he kept to the most sure and honorable way to attain the objects of his
praiseworthy ambition, that of steady industry, economy and self denial.
Patiently
he toiled as the years went on, his laudable hopes were fulfilled; his duty to
God and to man as far as he was able to do it was done, when he entered into rest.
VIRGIL.
Elder
Harrison occupied the desk on Sunday last, for Elder Purington, at both of his
appointments, as Elder Purington was called to attend the funeral of Miss Delia Givens (a daughter of Cortland Givens, of
Virgil) who was killed in the rail road accident which occurred in Ohio, near Rittman,
on Sept. 10th,
We noticed
quite a number of strange faces in town on Saturday night. Among the rest were
the two Henry Quails.
George
Hicks and family have returned from a few days' visit with friends at Pitcher.
The
Republican banner is again on the ground. During the rain and wind storm which
visited us on Sunday last, it fell. Had it been in the night, probably more threats
of arresting some one would have been made.
Mrs.
Adams, who has been living with her daughter this summer, has come back to her
home in Virgil to live. She thinks that Virgil hills are preferable to Cortland
village, for her.
The most
alarming news that we have to pen this week is the removal of W. H. Clark, the
political bolter, from Cortland to Virgil. He has moved in on the town unsolicited, for the special purpose of preventing
the member of the county committee of the G. O. P. of Virgil, from attending
the Congressional convention, held at Syracuse, as a delegate. Now when the
committee thought, as perhaps he had a right to think, he was entitled to a free
ride to Syracuse on the cars to represent the Republican party of Virgil, what
business has a man to move right in on the town and force his own
correspondent to stay at home and Clark have the honor of being a delegate?
Or how can a man, except he be a bolter, stoop so low, after slanging the Democratic
party as he has, about the delegates from Cincinnatus in their county convention,
step right into the same tracks and occupy the same position that he so loudly
condemns? Had Clark known that the committee had traveled these hills up and
down to see Moore and then find out if George was willing that said committee
should attend the convention, perhaps this crier of free trade would not have moved
in and beaten him so underhanded. It would seem as if the Republican committee
of our town could very appropriately use the language of our Savior when He said,
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Perhaps it would be well
for the committee of Cortland to see that Clark moves back in town before
election, for Virgil has no use for him. CUMMIN. [pen name]
NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.
TOMPKINS.—Dr.
Bowker's stallion, Spurgeon, took first money in the 2:30 class at the County
Fair, last Thursday, winning three straight heats.
Cortland
Givens, of Gee Hill, received a telegram, Tuesday, stating that his daughter, Miss
Delia D. Givens, who has been teaching school at Canfield, Ohio, had had her
leg broken in a railroad accident at Rittman, Ohio. Monday evening. Mr. and Mrs.
Givens immediately went to Cortland and took the train in the afternoon for
Ohio, to be with their daughter.
The work
of establishing a bureau of weather service for this State is in progress in
Ithaca. Cornell University is to be the central office. [Postmaster] Gen.
Greeley has sent a subordinate there, to organize this service. From 100 to 150
telegrams, making special forecasts for the various portions of the State, will
be sent from this point to the lakes, the interior and the seaboard.
The widow
of the late John Gallagher, who was shot and killed by Jacob Osmun while
stealing chickens from the premises of the latter some time ago, has commenced
an action against Osmun to recover damages in the sum of $5,000. In the complaint
it is alleged that when Gallagher was shot, he was in the highway, and that the
deed was unjustifiable and criminally careless. The complainant is represented by
Simeon Smith, and the defendant by David M. Dean.
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