Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-04-19
IFrom the Dayton Journai-l
Starvation Without Pajn-A Man Eats
Nothing for Thirty Two Days.

A good deal has been said about case
of voluntary starvation, as is alleged, now
in progress here. The reports were that
an old man. by command of "the spirits"
had refused TO eat another mouthful Of
food. and had gradually wasted away until
he had reached the verge of the grave.
For the purpose of getting some Insight
into this case Of voluntary starvation we
called yesterday at the residence Of the
starving man, Dir. b. NJ. Brown, on the,
southeast corner of Wilkinson aud Water
streets. The relation Of the details Of this
remarkable case of abstinence from fool
was simple and affecting. We learned
from the wife of Mr. Brown, a plain,
simple minded, and, to all appearances,
truthful woman, that on the 23th of Feb
ruary her husband assisted her in carry
ing in load of coal. lie was taken with
chill soon afterwards. aud went to bed
exhausted. That night be ate a little
piece of toast soaked in tea, since which
time, she ayerred, he had not taken par-
ticle Of nourishment of any kind ester
day was the 32J day of tie continuance
of this total abstinence from food. He
has taken little water two or three times
a day. MIR. Brown is eighty -four years
old, and was quite feshy wheu he ceased
eating. lie Is now reduced to a mere skel-
eton. He is cheerful aud says he Is en-.
tirely happy, and anxious for the change,
which lie says must soon come. AS TO the
report that he had set about starving
himself at the command of the "spirits."
he says it is not true. The reason for his
abstinence is simplya want Of appetite.
He declares that he has not for m"re than
thirty days had any desire for food-thst
he cold not swallow it if nature crayed
such support.
The case is a very remarkable one, and
should be investigated by u edical inen.
The testimony in favor of this long abstin-
ence appears TO be reliable. The wife Of
Mr.. Is. disclaims most positively any cens
ncction with scheme to deceive the peo.
pie, by giving nourishment or siimulanfs
In secret. and pretending that some super.
natural power sustains her husband in his
protrncted fasting. -
1t fcems to be incredible, az 1t certainly
is contrary TO the teaching of science and
Of experience as well, that this starvation
process.could 90 on without intense suffer-
ing. Yet Mr. Rrown, according TO his
own declarations aud those of his wife,
has had no pain, but on the contrary has
appeared happy and resigned TO the fate
which he knew was inevitable. Itis scarce.
ly fair TO doubt his own word, and that Of
his wife, as 10 the fact Of the abstinence
for the period named. lie said yesterday,
when questioned on this point, You caa
see that an but a skeleton, and n few
hours will close my time on earth. Would
|, with eternity just before me, say what IL
deceptive and false 10 make a sensatioDY
No, would not do that. 1 refused TO cot
because | bad no desire for il, nor have l
taken any fer thirty-two days. / have
suffered no pain, but have laid on my bed,
happy In the prospect of enjoyment int
world TO come. Tonight hope and be-.
lieve will close my existence here" ala
Mr.. Brown has lived in Dayton for
about thirty years. lie ia a shoemaker,
and has worked at bis trade industriously
during his residence here. He IL a man
Of sobriety aud intelligence. aud has al
ways been respected. Accepting us fact
the thirly-two days abstinence from food,
we may account for bis imagined ireedoni
froin pain by tie Uccurrenrc Of 4 halluci.
nation, induced by his belief ip the agency
Of guardian angels who minister TO him,
and by some spiritual essence protract his
! life, This he asserts, aud thus affords evi.
dence Of "a mind diseased" Convcrsine
on other topics he appears entirely ration.
al and practical, and seems unwilling 10
have any one believe that he is not Of
sound mind. lie even changes the sab
ject OF conversation from his guardian
angels aud "spirit food" TO comnon every
day topics, for the purpose OF impressing
his visitors with conviction of his sanity.
We may add in conclusion, that Mr..
Brown refused from the first to have
physician called. lie said it was useless,
for he could not take medicine. His
time had come. a long life had already
bcen passed. lie longed for rcst.