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Story
June 20, 1888
The Butler Weekly Times
Butler, Bates County, Missouri
What is this article about?
In southwest Chicago's Polish-Bohemian area, rumors of a woman at 737 Van Horn St. birthing a devilish child with horns, tail, and money pockets spark crowds and police intervention; it's a hoax, no birth occurred.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A STRANGE DELUSION.
A Polish Neighborhood in Chicago Excited Over a Recent Birth.
The Poles and Bohemians of the south-western part of the city are excited over the birth of a little devil. The mother of the imp is said to be a married Bohemian living at No. 737 Van Horn street. Everybody in the neighborhood is talking about it, and great crowds surge about the house for a glimpse of the monstrosity. Two hundred people gathered at the house yesterday and insisted that the young devil should be placed on exhibition. Those attracted by the crowd were told that a woman had given birth to a malformed child, that its hands and feet were stunted, and that great horns projected from its head. Others soon told a tale of a child closely resembling a devil—a child with three eyes, one horse's foot, the other resembling that of a hen, and a big tail.
"There were seven doctors present at the birth," said one. "They wanted to kill the little devil when he appeared, but he cried out: 'Don't you touch me; if you do it'll go hard with you. I want to live.' The doctors were afraid to kill him. It's a fact. And the little devil was born with two pockets, in which were found $2,000."
"Bring out the devil," shouted the crowd.
John Pacl, proprietor of the house, made a speech in which he declared that the story was a base fabrication, and that no such birth had taken place; but he was answered with derision, jeering remarks, and louder demands for a view of the freak. Various explanations of the cause of the peculiar birth were given. One was that the woman had visited a Christian friend, and had made light of scriptural pictures on the wall, and that the freak was a punishment. The story was believed by the ignorant crowd, which became so demonstrative that the police had to be called. For several days similar crowds have gathered in front of the house, and it became unbearable for the tenants. The fact is that there has not been a birth at No. 737 Van Horn street for six months.—Chicago Tribune.
A Polish Neighborhood in Chicago Excited Over a Recent Birth.
The Poles and Bohemians of the south-western part of the city are excited over the birth of a little devil. The mother of the imp is said to be a married Bohemian living at No. 737 Van Horn street. Everybody in the neighborhood is talking about it, and great crowds surge about the house for a glimpse of the monstrosity. Two hundred people gathered at the house yesterday and insisted that the young devil should be placed on exhibition. Those attracted by the crowd were told that a woman had given birth to a malformed child, that its hands and feet were stunted, and that great horns projected from its head. Others soon told a tale of a child closely resembling a devil—a child with three eyes, one horse's foot, the other resembling that of a hen, and a big tail.
"There were seven doctors present at the birth," said one. "They wanted to kill the little devil when he appeared, but he cried out: 'Don't you touch me; if you do it'll go hard with you. I want to live.' The doctors were afraid to kill him. It's a fact. And the little devil was born with two pockets, in which were found $2,000."
"Bring out the devil," shouted the crowd.
John Pacl, proprietor of the house, made a speech in which he declared that the story was a base fabrication, and that no such birth had taken place; but he was answered with derision, jeering remarks, and louder demands for a view of the freak. Various explanations of the cause of the peculiar birth were given. One was that the woman had visited a Christian friend, and had made light of scriptural pictures on the wall, and that the freak was a punishment. The story was believed by the ignorant crowd, which became so demonstrative that the police had to be called. For several days similar crowds have gathered in front of the house, and it became unbearable for the tenants. The fact is that there has not been a birth at No. 737 Van Horn street for six months.—Chicago Tribune.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Deception Fraud
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Madness
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Devil Birth Rumor
Chicago Neighborhood Excitement
Superstition
Crowd Demonstration
Hoax Fabrication
What entities or persons were involved?
John Pacl
Where did it happen?
South Western Part Of Chicago, No. 737 Van Horn Street
Story Details
Key Persons
John Pacl
Location
South Western Part Of Chicago, No. 737 Van Horn Street
Event Date
Recent
Story Details
Rumor spreads in Polish and Bohemian neighborhood of a Bohemian woman giving birth to a devil-like child with horns, three eyes, horse's foot, hen's foot, tail, and pockets containing $2,000; crowds gather demanding to see it, police called; proprietor John Pacl denies it as fabrication, no birth in six months.