Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-11-01
Freak s Of "a Maniac.
HE ESCAPES FROM A LuNArlo ASYLUM, MAI
R1Es RICH WIDOW, AND BUYS BLOC

HE ESCAPES FROM LUNATIC ASYLUM, MAR
RIEs A RICH WIDOW, AND BUYS A BLOCK
OF BUILDINGS.
About year since a gentleman in the
interior of Wisconsin became insane and
was sent to the Lunatc Asylum at Madi-
son in that State. He was a physician
By profession, and was gentleman of
superior cultivation and Of remarkably
prepossessing appearance. He was about
thirty years old.
Some six weeks ago he escaped from
the asylum and went to Chicago. There
he encountered an old friend, who loaned
him quite sum Of money having no sus-
picion of his insanity. With this money
he supplied himself with new and elegant
clothing, and started for Laporte, Indiana
a thrifty village on the line of the Mchi-
gan Southern Railroad. He remained
there long enough to win the affections OF
a young and wealthy widow, and was
married to her. During the brief court
ship he exhibited no indications of lunacy
but shortly after his marriage he com
menced conducting himself in manner
which startled and shocked his wife and
her friends.
Among other mad fancies he believed
he was a sheep, and insisted upon crawl
ing around upon his hands and feet, bleat
ing in the most absurd manner. He
would then fancy himself rattlesnake
and make frantic attempts to bite the
members of his household. The unhap-
py lady, at length worn out with watch
ing him and endeavoring to restore his
reason, made preparations to send him to
the Asylum at indianapolis. But as is
frequently the case, insanity had sharpen
ed his wits and he adroitl escaped.
We next hear of him in Syracuse, N
y, where he actually purchased block
Of buildings. The necessary papers were
made out, and he was to call the next day
with the money. He was to pay an out
rageos sum for the property, and it is said
the parties with whom he made the bar
gain chuckled vastl ly over the propitious
winds that had blown them so profitable
and fresh subject. The unatic started
westward. At Buffalo he bargained for
an immense amount of corn, to be deliv.
"'0' III ANcW Aoi N wy, anu Iuen pro-
ceeded to Cleveland. lie arrived here
last week, and endeavored to negotiate
for some real estate on Knsman street
but he talked so absnrdly that the parties
with whom he had interviews refused tc
treat with him.
Meanwhile his friends, and particularly
his wife in Wisconsin (lor he had wife
and two children in that State. were mall
ing every effort to ascertain his where
abouts. They traced him to Syracuse,
and from there to this city His brother
arrived here on Saturday morning last
but found that the lunatic had left on the
previous evenings train for the Vest
lie followed on Saturday morning. AT
Toledo he learned that he had gone West
on the Michigan Southern train, and nc
perseveringly continued the chase. Al
Adrian he found and captured him and
took him home.
When not in his rabid fits few would
discover the unfortunate mans true con.
dition. He would make very absurd
propositions, and offer exhorbitant sum.
OF money for property that hit his fancy
but he would do so in so candid and cap
tivatlng a manner as to, in most cases
disarm suspicion.-Cieyelana PiaindeaL-