New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-23
VERY MYSTERIOUS.
From The IndinnapOLis Sentinel

Oar readers may rely on the perfect accuracy VI INC
following narrative, as il comes from an unoueston-
able source:
A few DAYS before the adjournment Of the Legsla-
ture two mbers from the southwestern part OF the
State, 100 miles distant from Indianapolis, inquired oil
the Superintendent OF the Insane Hospital his
for the discharge Of Alexander f., patient from p
County.
Dr. Athon assured them that Mr. +. was still at the
Hospital, and had not been sent home, nor was his
early discharge probable.
They stated that they had received letters from DIFF
ferent persona mentioning the fact that Mr.. Alex. f.
was wandering at large IL neghborhoods near his old
home; that the citizens were AFRAID OF him, and were
anxious that he should be returned TO the institution
without delay.
The next day DR.. Athon received letter from the
guardian Of Alexander, making inquiry vita regard to
fis escape-how long since be left the hospital and
what was his mental condition when he eoped-if
elopement it was. j am allowed 10 copy Dr. Athon's
reply:
IsDLASAPoLIs, March 2, 1885. )
letter Of the 2sh ut and am somewhat surprised to learn
in modern spiTituaism, thee his spirit is here
portions be subaed then there something in
pinuai;m But think we have the yerabe laughing Alex
shadow. Very respectfully etc
A few days afterward the following letter, in
answer to The above arrived. l give it verbatim,
with the omission of names OF persons and places.
1t is from gentleman who is entitled to the fullest
confidence:
DrARsR: Yours Of the I'd iost regard Alex. f.
S hf bsS SR s s h Tps6e dp 1 bo i1
or and The sau t5e bsve DELAYED anwrripg on account
of taking time to investigate the mystery These the facts
viii swesI to- About Tue.SsV the 9th Of February last. Alex
e'p P Of Ss b m ana Mn n
akd for water and basin TO wash his hands and given
with ga in hand but halted for short time another place
orwo One Of the hands at the mill by the name Of Russell
met him and 18th him in all his ou ney through the mills
and hoePens Alex ven up to the ea,toft Of toe ni OBJ
Russell j. that he wanted the machinery
AtT which be went into the distey and the os JB
sn5e taned round and d 90 wsa M chem psed owen %
n snS & sIs oa the
hog house aud theS sad to him. Alexander your brother A.
have no business with passed gate
snd PICKED his walking which he mad left on coming in
mile dsnt with quick walk and that the last that has been
They ali sFreed that he looked bad and thnys her pale
.ieky: lie not inclined to talk and said - htle
o@Mis Those that law Rm have been we'll acquainted with
him end they willing that it Aexan
SI and s9d s be nfa' BY
d. 5 the %H D ghe % Of & o. s s1 R
r. j. w. o. b. p and others Are you certain he was at
Very Respectfully, H. C. c..
The answer of Alex Oh being asked when he was
home last, makes the
g. Confusion confounded,"
and the mystery more inexplicable He at once said:
Russell j., and make honorable proposals to widow
-" He was reminded that he had not been alb
SEPT from the Hospital since his admission, the 18th
of June.
IN bite your ear or" he replied, with some indg-
ration. tell you that ! did go. Ny spirit flew
dow there quick and left this pair of clothes and the
rest of that You here in the ward to take care
OF Anti. Christ and keep the devil ont of the bath
room. / saw Russell j. and threw of my coat to fog
him, when he wanted TO treat. 80 thought would
wait-eent with him into the dsullery, it stand
ing there, and asked, Is this poison 2 and drank
jug Of xhisby; bowed up k. v for following me
rOuDd didn't have time 70 mary the widow, wiring
brother AS nose-they wouldn't let me alone enough;
went down to the village got some ale and then came
right home. did not zee anybody ON the road was
so high up; wi b the pigeons they were acheer-
ing Iue-1a ba Ia and odnt make no time at all;
| got home frs; I'm going back tomorrow. The
wbsky gut; will knock that dlstllers face all
to bls2es!-it made my head swin-ran against the
lightning, which sugeo my wbiskers-coored EN- red.
The truth il, Docs they are ell crazy"
To sum up, we have the positive testimony of ten
more reliable men, who had known him for years that
Alex. was in P County on OF about the 9th Feb
ruaIy and the Sigh y uDconnected but corTobOrang
narrative of Alex himself who Is yearninP to subsan
tate it, at any time, by unlimited number of oaths,
some of them not altogether free from profanity.
On the other hand, the Off ers OF the Hospital aud
at least Renty others connected with the institution,
will soemnly affirm that they have seen and conversed
with Alex two three times every day for nine
months II this is a case Of mistaken identity, 1t is
singular that so many pereons should be deceived, AMI
AT the same time have such entire conviction that
they are not mistaken Many has been hang
evidence his person, much lees conclusive. II
il is Of spirituasm il is some what in advance OF
even modern psychology III is an instance Of rapid
oconoon, the last Improvement in transit of passen
gers has not got round much
Drawing the hint from Alexis closing remarks, as
quoted above, woud suggest that it is a of NOR
bid mental manifestation thee IL floating delu
sion contagious III s nature, which affects one and the
other of the parties alternatyey flying from Alex. to
bis county, ard from the county to Alex 10 al un.
commonly short space Of time Col. MUzzE.