The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-06-23
From the Rochester Democrat. I
Phyical PhcnOm mona
sleeping Giant-A Rip Van Wrinkle.

From the Rochester Democrat
-'em"rkabie Phyical Phcnomenon-A'
sleeping Giant-A Rip Van Wrinkle.
our attention was called yesterday to
post extraordinary phenomenon. A full
grown man, six. feet and two inches tall, 81
years Of age, has slept for nearly FIVE years,
with only occasional and brief intervals of
wakefullness. The name or this man, sub
ject to SO remarkable suspension OF the or.
binary faculties Of the race, is Corneljus.-
He is the son of farmer living in the town
of Clarkson, in this county, in whose family
only this single and singular instance e.
prolonged somnolepcy has ever occurred
The subject of this pouce Grst fell into this
long sleep Oh the 10Th June, lS4s, and since
that time has been awake at different pc
RODS, from few hours to four months at
time. It is remarkable that when he comes
out of this catalepsey, he appears to have
no know ledge of the lapse of time, or of cir
cugstanees taken place while he sleeps
The fit comes upon hin, instantly, without,
SO far as is known, any warming. Eis eyes
close, his Jaws are SET, his muscles contract,
aqd his whole frame is rigid, SO that if
standing, he continues 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 re-
store him to consciousness, without effect
4 seton has been inserted i'm tie back Of his
neck, without producing aay apparent eff
feet, and on one occasion cayanne 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 experiment
ted in vain. The man sleeps on, lives, eats,
retains perfect health, with pulse at 80, and
without variation When asleep, he may be
placed upon his feet, and he will stand for
days together, as he has been known to Dc
| for three days and nights in succession. In
order to feed him, it is necessary to Ply open
his firmly set jaws; and in tn at manner, but
little food is introduced into bis stomach
He is not, however. much emaciated, keeps
his natural color, and appears entirely without
disease, excepting that which produces his
strIage sleep. When heawakes, he comes
out of bis trance suddenly, his rigid muscles
relax at once, he asks for meet or drink, and
falls to voraciopsly. Il asked why he sleeps
so mach, he appears to regard it as an impo-
sition. Just as any active man would recev e
an ntimation that he was considered slug
g:Sk.
TIE last time he was awake was bbout
Eve or six weeks since. He was left nearly
alone at home; and on coming out Of sleep,
he got up and went 10 the lake shore where his
brothers were; going into grocery he called
for liquor, and asked the company to drink
with him. On such occasions he is not violent
or angry, appears strong and in full possession
of his mental faculties.
A slight indication that he is not entirely
unaware of what is transpiring a1iout him,
was given recently, by his asking his father
if he intended to allow him to be taken to
New York! Several parties had been en-
deavoring t. get permission to exhibit him,
and he appears TO have become aware of It
by some means; perhaps by bearing conver-
sation about him. This Nas the only in
stance of the kind, we believe. The fact
that his eyelids are in constant tremor, "a
vors the idea of his semi-consciousness.
The Gau is now in charge of DIR. Gar
dener Davis, OF Brockport, who intends to
exhibit him to the public, so that thing so
wonderful may be seen by all the world. A
rLt roiher to The somnambuist accompanies
, him--a healthy, strong man, six feet and two
inches tall. Many of our physicians have
r visited the man, at the place where he is
lodgsd--Mr. Damarest's Commercial Hotel
, Front street. Efforts have been made to
awake him, recently, so that the Faculty
, who are deeply interested in the matter, may
, see bin il his wakeful mood. ,Itis Little SIM
r gular that whisky will have the desired effect
if it is possible to get enough down his throat.
But he resists the introduction of the liquor
4 apd It is very difficult to get it down in any
y quantity.