Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-12-19
.MtsctlIaMp.
sFrpm the ". Y. E0eming Post.
Wealth and Insanity.

The journals OF the country mas neen
filled of late with the eccentricliles oil
rich OLD miser named NcDonough. who
died few weeks since il, Louisiana. A
merica has produced a great many of
these eccentric characters, whose morbid
acou'sitivensss has made them the won
der Of mankind. The anclents had d.
whites Of evil as we'll as of goodness. to
whom they erected affairs and offered
sacrifices hence, doubtless. the phrase
used by Virgil, quoted above, to desig
nate this unnatural appetite, of which
McDonough furnished such curious lis
ltistration.
Another case, scarcely less remarkable
than his, has Just become public in Hi
nois, in the person Of Jacob Strawn, OF
Jacksonville, a very extensive land holder
and cattle dealer, and probably the
wealthicst citizen Of Il 9 tate of Illinois.
He is the owner Of some rty thousand
acres of land in the State, and his agri~
cultural and other business transactions
have beea of an ex,e..l corresponding with
his landed possessions. Fol- years he has
been by far the most extensive cattle dealer
in thar, or any Of the Western States. and
has, by continued, and the most unremilted
exertious, accumulated prit cesy fortune.
MIR. Srawn has been even n.re ex,en-
sively kaowa Tor his eccenllicilies uf CHAR.
acler. than for his great wealth For days
and nights IN succession, he has been
known To pursue his business without Inter
nilsson, never >eeping, unless whilslridins
in his saddle. He chose HIS wife as he
would a farm. or a lot of cattle. by mere
inspection ui her person, selecting her from
among her sisters, who we're called to- the
door al his request. ard married her wilh>
out any more ceremony than was necces>
Sary 10 compete mnnied transaction. and
conform TO The laws Of the STATE. Every
Thing with him was asmatier Of money and
business. pursuing these at, the sacrifice OF
everything else; indeed, attaching no val
Ne to anything which could not be measur
ed by pecuniary Standard. .s...-...
The ST. Louis Union ofthe !6!h inst.
states thai Srawn was brought down the
Illinois river the day before, maniac, in
cha ge Of some of his friends. who were
nyirg to convey him TO the Luna,ic Asy-
um al Columbus. Ohio. Ills insanity was
CROUCH, On by The terrible tasks TO which
very energy tf his m nd and body had
"ern subjected Tor years in the pursuit OF
wealth. ...-.. ..
In o,der to induce him 10 travel in the d.
lection ct Columbus without violence, il had
'een necessary. SAYS the 81. Louis paper, To
receive INN BY the pr, mise Of great rewards
'r accompanying his protectors! Even in
this, his al absorbing passion was predominant
Bonds 10 large amount, with ta'ge penalties
IN case Of breach IF contract, were regularly
executed, la secure him the compensation a.
creed upon.
Even before leaving the boat, and with he
appearance of correct regard to business. he
lad the agreement read-te- read il himself
md called The attention of the br-siond'rs 10
20" that " r.thlng was correctly aud ex-
p'i it understood.
:. And ims," continues the print above quo
ted, is the value Of wealth! Life, health,
great energy, every thing voted 10 the ut
must stretch to secure immense possessions
and 10 enjoy nothing. Truly. after |, There
atc greater slaves than they who come, and 60,
anl lal,nr at tn" bidding Of an"iher. There
are hose wh are p"orrI than they WHO are
I'd nv the slow and anwi!ling hand off hai,iA.
aud there are none mere To be piiiPd Than
hose who bow ,wn in alteration Of the corni>
ts-s fh.nsands, knowing neither C. minrt. rlras
ure, recrealinn or intellectual enjoyment in
% shl be- sides their treasures.