The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-12
ReIigssl;s Mania,
4 SINGULAR CASE AT KALAMAZOO,
MICH.-A WHOLE FAMILY GONE MAD.

4 SINGULAR CASE AT KALAMAZoo,
NICH.--A WHOLE FAMILY GONE MAD.
Last fall man named John Ileisler.
n German umbrella maker, WAS, after
much difficulty and great resistance,
arrested and confined in the asylum
for the insane. For months previous
himself and family had carried Oh at
their house Ill the extreme north part
of the village, on the edge of the
swamp. a series OF crazy freaks Won
deTfGl to behold, and which attracted
to his humble abode crowds Of people,
much to the frenzy of Heisler, who
would attempt to drive off all who
came. lie seemed Sane enough on all
other subjects but religion, but on that
lie and his whole family, consisting OF
& wife and FIVE children, are staring
mad. The house was all ornamentcd
with crosses, and these they paid de-
votion to. A deformed daughter was
placed every day upon the house top,
and then all the others OF the family
would kncel and worship her. At in
tervals they would all go out into the
open field and pray aloud for hours at
a time. These, and a great many 9TH
er cccentricitics, excited tho curiosity
Of the people. 1t was unsafe for peo-
Pile to pass, for Heislcr would often as
sanlt them, and his ncighbors COM
planned Of the family as a nuisance.
lffood had not been given them, and
forced upon them, they would have
starved to death. When the police
land poormaster went to the house it
became necessary to force their way in.
Finally it was decided to arrest Ieis-
Ter and put him in the asylum and sec
what the effect would be on the family.
He remained there two or three weeks,
and DR.. Van Deusen said chat he was
entirely sound i'll all other respects,
save religious mania, and on his sug-
gestion he was allowed to come and go
to the institution rs he wished, and at-
ter while he did not come back
Since then, up to the present, Superin-
tendent Brownell has provided the
family with all the necessaries Of life,
and with him have visited the afflicted
family prominent Germans of the vii
lage, who in many ways bciriended the
Holsters. But the same religious fron
", though somewhat subdued, has pre-
vailed with all the family through the
winter, and two weeks ago they re-
fused to accept charity or any food
whatever. TO prevent starvation (for
days together they have locked them
selves in their shanty and resisted all
efforts of outsiders to enter, the old
man keeping stout hickory clubs and a
loaded gun at handy to these six unfor-
tunates-all the children are in some
measure deformcd, and one is but a
very small ha be-Superintenden
Brownell had recourse to very strin-
gent measures. Determined that they
should not starve if he could prevent
it, he went to the house with some
Germans who were friends. of Heisler's,
and by force effected an entrance. A
terrible picture of suffering met the
gaze of the visitors, but the family re-
fused to accept any food or assistance
unless it were given in the name of the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Mr..
Barney Lochor, who was among those
who visited the place with Mr.. Brow
nell, became so indignant at what he
saw, that he seized the crosses and en-
blems that were to be seen on every
side, and broke them to pieces. Every
effort was made for week afterward,
by daily visits, to induce the family to
partalze Of food, but with only partial
success. Yesterday, Mr.. Brownell de-
cided to arrest neisler, and see if he
could have him put into the workhousc,
and by separation of the family at the
poorliouse, put an end to this strange
delusion, which must otherwise soon
result in the death of the entire fami-
~. 1t is one of the most obstinate
cases on record; the efforts of the Cath
Ollie priest, of Heisler's old friends, and
Of others, to provide for the wants of
himself and family, and to aid in every
way, have had no effect.
A late dispatch says Heisler has been
tried by a jury on charge of yagran-
cy, and sentenced to one year in tie
House of Correction. He must eat now
or go to glory On an empty stomach.
lie still refuses to eat. Mr.. Brownell
went to the house yesterday afternoon
and took the woman and children to
the County House. She changed her
views decidedly, and begged hard, say
ing she would feed the children and
not act so any more. But it was
thought best not to yield to her impor-
tunities.-t Correspondence of the De-
troit Post.
Sn-e g.