Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-09

Il
[Poughkeepsie Correspondence of New York
The people of Cold Spring, N. Y, a
little village nestled among the high
lands of the Hudson, opposite West
Point, are in state of wonderment over
the mysterious disappearance of lad
named Henry MeIvers, known in that
community as a musical prodigy Young
McIvers is not quite fourteen years of
age, and his father and mother reside
near Cold Spring. They came here from
Doncaster, England, when Henry was
about two years Of age. A few years
after their arrival Henry commenced to
exhibit wonderful talent for music
The desire on the youths part attracted
the attention of Governor Paulding,
and Henry's parents being in
humble circumstances. Mr. Pa,ilding
offered to provide a musical teacher
for the boy. This offer was gratefully
accepted by the parents, and Professor
Appelles, of West Point, well known to
the musical world, was appointed his
tutor. The boy learned rapidly, so fast
indeed as to excite the surprise of the
Professor. He was constantly at his
studies, and in short time excelled on
the violin, could play piano, flute,
guitar, ETC., and very soon became pet
among the best families, often being in
vited to family fresides. Suddenly it.
was observed that be had taken to talk
ing in his sleep, and acting very restless
at nights. The father and mother
watched his nightly slumbers vigilantly,.
and with much concern of mind, which
was greatly intensified by the lad show
ing unmistakable signs of somnambur
lism. AT length remarkable incident.
happened to him. About one year ago
he rose from his bed in the middle of the,
night, fast asleep, and, attiring himself
in his everyday clothes, left his home
without the knowledge of his parents
and started toward the Hudson river
railroad track, still fast asleep
Once upon the direct line OF
the road he faced northward, and walked
to Breakneck Tunnel, where he laid
down by the side of the railroad track.
AT dawn of day train of cars came
laundering through the stone archway,
the locomotive whistle screeehing, and
the noise of clashing iron awakening the
boy somnambulist Frightened beyond
description, he rolled over into the river
before the train reached him, and after
great exertions managed to escape.
drowning by the slight embankmenty
when he started down +he track for home
again, drenched to the skin and crying
bitterly He was intercepted by flag
man named David Nolan, to whom he.
told his story, and called piteously for
his mother. The good natured signal
man gave him some bread and tea, when
he started for home again The grief
stricken parents received him with open
arms and listened with pity at h;srelation
of his nights adventure Shortly after
Henry younger brother died, when he
partly ignored music, and his parents
thought well of the change. He soon
got to studying again, however, and once
more restless lights came upon him, till
last Friday night. when another incident
occurred He had been to Newburg
that day to purchase new bow for his
violin, and returned just at dusk, consid-
erably fatigued. After supper he re-
marked: " All! mother, home, sweet
home; ] don't like the big cities any
more" and retired Soon after nine
pm. Mrs. McIvers thought she heard
noise in his room, and going into it OBJ
served Henry trying to climb up large
cupboard His eyes were wide open,
and shone with a singular brilliancy. He
paid no attention to her entrance what
ever. Seeing he was in a trance she
walked up to him and tapped him light (
ly on the back for the purpose of
awakening him, and said: Henry,
what are you doing p He replied, still /
climbing and without looking at her
IL am going to make it all right in a
minute; this white rabbit; III make it all
right
Striving to awake him, the mother
tapped him the second time, when he /
gave a piercing scream and dropped TO
the floor, wide awake, exclaiming, Oh, I
mother, you frighten me; what are you !
doing there2' He was placed in bed |
once more, and then slept soundly till |
morning. Once more the parents Of the /
child became alarmed. The frequency |
Of such spells impelled them TO resolve |
to shut him from his musical lessons en- I
tirely. On Saturday last bis teacher !
came again as usual, everything passing 4
of satisfactorily, but on the Sunday fol
lowing the hearts Of his parents we're
shrouded in grief over his mysterious dis
appearance. -
1t seems that he was in the garden at
IL am. last Sabbath, watching a birds
nest. Another lad requested him TO take
a walk, but he declined saying he had
TO feed his rabbits He did not 20 10
Sabbath-school that day, though he was
a regular attendant, because Of some
clothing. Shortly after II an. his pa
rents missed him, and up to this time he
has never been found.
A Cold Springs carpenter thinks he
saw him at Tarrytown one day last week.
while a second person says he was at
Fishkill Station on Tuesday last One
theory is thatcwhile in state Of SOM
nambulism, he has wandered into the
wilds Of the Highlands, and has met
.tIIta O. 711flllH