The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-07-07
From the Rochester Denocrat.l
1smarkabls Physical Phsnomsnen a Sleep
ine 0iAnt-A Zip Van Wrinkle.

From the Rochester Democrat
1snarkahle Physical Phenomenon Sleep
ine Giant A Zip Van winkls.
Our attention was called yesterday TO
most extraordinary phenomenon. A full
grown man, six feet and two inches tall, 81
years Of age, has slept for nearly hye years,
with only occasional and brief intervals Of
wakefulness. The name Of this man, sub
iect TO 80 remarkable suspension Of the or
binary faculties Of the race, ID Cornelius
Vrooman. He is the son of farmer liy-
ING in the town Of Clarkson, in this county,
in whose family only this single and singu-
lar instance Of prolonged somnolency has
ever occurred. The subject OF this notice
first fell into this long sleep on the 18th
June, lS4s, and since that time has been
awake at fferent periods, from few hours
to four months at a time. 1t is remarkable
that when he comes out Of this catalepsy,
he appears to have no knowledge OF the
lapse of time, or Of circumstances taken
place while he sleeps. The fit comes upon
him instantly, without, 50 far as is known,
any warning. His eyes close, his jaws are
set, his muscles contract, and his whole
frame is rigid, 50 that if standing, he con-
tinucs in that attitude partly bent over;
and it is not easy to pull him down. He
has continued in this condition for months
together, unable, to speak or move.
Various experiments have been tried to
restore him to consciousness, without effect.
A seton has been inserted in the back Of
his neck, without producing any apparent
effect, and on one occasion cayenne pepper,
moistened with spirits OF turpentine was put
into his mouth, and no visible emotion was
caused by the caustic dose. Physicians
have seen and wondered, theorized and ex-
perimented in vain. The man sleeps on,
lives, eats, retains perfect health, with a
pulse at 80, and without variation. When
asleep, he may be placed upon his feet, and
will stand for days together, as he has been
known to do for three days and nights in
succession. In order to feed him it is nee
essary to pry open his firmly set jaws; and
in that manner, but little food is introduced
into his stomach. He is not, however, much
emaciated, keeps his natural color, and APP
pears entirely without disease, excepting
that which produces his strange sleep
When he awakes, he comes out Of this
trance suddenly, his rigid muscles relax at
once, he asks for meat or drink, and falls to
eating voraciously. II asked why he sleeps
SO much, he appears 10 regard It as an impos
ton, just as any active man would receive
an intimaton that he was considered slug.
gish.
The last time he was awake was abou,
five or six weeks since. He was left near
ly alone at home; and on coming gu, of sleep
he got up and went to the lake shore where
his brothers were; going into grocery he
called for liquor, and asked the company tc
drink with him. On such occasions he i.
not violent or angry, appears strong and il
full possession OF his mental faculties.
A slight indication that he is not entirely
unaware Of what is Transporting about him
was given recently, by his asking his father
il he intended to allow him TO be taken T.
New York; Several parties had been en-.
deuvoring to get permission to exhibit him
and he appears to have become aware Of il
by some means; perhaps by hearing CONVEX.
sation about him. This was the only in.
stance of the kind, we believe. The fac,
that his eyelds are in constant tremor, ia.
vors the idea of lis semi-consciousness.
The man is now in charge of Mr.. Gar.
dener Davis, of Brockport, who intends tc
exhibit him to the public. so that thing 81
wonderful may be seen by all the world
A brother to the somnambulist accompanies
him-a healthy, strong man, six feet and
two inches tall. Many of our physicians
have visited the man, at the place where be
is lodged-Mr. Damarest's Commercial II
tel, Front street. Efforts have been made
to awake him, recently, SO tina; the Faculty
who are deeply interested in the matter, may
see him in his wakeful mood. II is little
singular that whisky will have the desired
effect, ii it is possible to get enough down
his throat. But he resists the introduction
OF the liquor and it is very difficult to get il
down in any quantity.