The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-06-28
THE GOVERNOR AND MADMAN.

THE GOVERNOR AND MADMAN.
One Of the Oldest inhabitants Of Boston
has furnished the following nnecdote Of old
Governor Lcvcreit, as an illus, ration Of the
force Of courage and ingenuity upon mad
man:
One morning, many years ago, stout,
burIy built maniac, in paroxysms Of insan.
iiv, burst out Of the asylum, md in his way,
a musket, heavily loaded, fell into his hands
With this formidable weapon, mounted with
the terrible bayonct, the madman rushed
ont into the city, and, pretty eAectually
clearing the streets, he was marching along.
Turning corner, no suddenly came upon
Governor Levereii; and wns on the poin. oi
making point blank charge upon the vi
tails OF the old Governor, who comprehend
ing his danger, il n single glance nj the icl.
low, and drawing himself up square and
firmly before his dreadful antagonist, hc
hailed him thus:
'llo! brother soldier. have you learned
your cxcrciser
Yes, havcr said The fellow with great
oath.
Then, brother, said the Governor, stand
to your nrms like n viiegnt soldier, while ]
give the word of command
The madman seemed pleased, and stood
bolt upright, with his musket fitted close to
bis shoulder in regular drill order.
'Poiso your frelock.-ihc fellow did So
Rest your firclockr-the fellow obeyed
Ground your fireIock this he did. Face
10 the right about !-snys the Gov
ernor; and ms the man wheeled and step
ped away, the Governor quickly ran up be-
hind. seized the powerful fellow and the
masket, and held him until several lockers
Outstanding Mt a snfe distance and watch.
ing this curious sccne--cnmc 10 the Cover.
nor's assistance; and the mndman was Sc
cured and carried back, in al awful rage, TO
his quarters.
This nnecdotc reminds me Of similar
one, that happcned 10 the famous DR.. Ply
sic, an eminent medical man, now dead u nd
gone. Of Philadelphia. The Doctor WINS
yisiiin ~ physician at the Lunatic Asylum,
near that city ;nnd one morning, after going
his rounds among the patients at the insti-
tuition, the Doctor strolled up stairs, into the
top gallery 81 The largo rotunda 81 the bull
ding 10 view the city and surrounding coin.
try. While absorbed iD The view, from his
high elevation, n robust madman who had
oladcd his Keepers. came suddenly upon the
Doctor, 10 his no little astonishmsnt aud
bodily fear. Bat keeping perfectly cool,
he bid the manise good day, and was turn.
ing about 10 30 down stairs.
No YOU DON'T says the nndman. clutch
ing the Doctor firmly as vicc--.l want
YOU 10 show me something. They say you
do every thing-cnt on heads, legs aud
arms--put ihem iogciher--tnkc mnn all
apart, and then mend him up ns good ~ cv.
er mud know YOU can. too-bnt | want
you just Ia jump dawn this holc--(the open
ing ofthc ro,undn, surrounded by the long
spiral stairwa, )--away down on the pave.
mcni! Come op--do il you must! And
The fellow exeried himself 10 drag the Doc
tor up TO the railing, 10 Which tho poor Doc
tor chung with the ienacity Of tick. The
moment was one of peril ~ the Doctor; but
his presence of mind completely floorcd his
antagonist.
III would not be very hard for me ojump
down there, SIR said The Doctor; but cal,
do greater feat than that for you, il you
wish Ia sec me try.'
Can you, ELI! old fcllowi Well, try il;
what is iig'
'Why. sir. | will 60 down there to The bot
tom, aud with one good spring, sir, III jump
clear up hcre'
sITa! har laughed tho maniac; that
would be worth seeing. Go down. Doctor,
and jump up--l'lI catch you when you
GOMEZ
The Doctor lost no time in going down.
and sending up tho keepers, who nabbed
the poor delnded.
The moral of these anecdotes shows that
il is far more wise to manage maniacs by
nets al kindness and innocent stratagcm,
than by compulsiyo threats aud acts Of vio-
lcucc.