The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-11-16
Reeent Remarkable Cases OF KIep.
tOmania.
~, A., Ns,..ouri Repnhlican Nov. a.

tOmania.
From the Missouri Republican, Noy.Il
Some instances of the disease known
"a kleptomania would be ludicrous il
thew were not cad. The following
cases. the facts OF which we have taken
much pains to collect, are among those
most recently reported by the highest
medical authorities:
A RICH GENTLEMAN WHO STOLE TOWELS.
A rich and eccentric gentleman, al,
most recluse, but not insane to all
appearance. lived in an old manor
house in Lincolnshire, England. bis
neighbors were all kindly disposed to-
wards him, and he was charlta6ly dis
posed towards the poor. Even the ser
wants, who saw him every day, although
thew confessed that he was certainly
yery peculiar a: times" never once
dreamed of impugning his intellect.
He was a good business man, and man
aged his estate with care and prudence.
auditing his stewards yearly accounts
with the skill Of an expert. He was
insane in one direction only, and one
might have passed lifetime with him
without discovering it. He would be
seized by sudden determination to
travel, and on such occasions he would
travel in state, with a retinue Of
servants. After fortnlghts or per
haps a months absence he would re-
turn home. Invariably on the morn
ing of the next day after his return,
towels which had been taken from an
open portmanteau, were found scattered
about the room. After breakfast his
custom was to retire TO the library and
write the addresses of all the hotel
keepers at whose houses he had slept
during his absence on 80 many slips oil
writing paper. These he handed over
to his secretary, who in his turn gave
them to the house steward, with d'rec
tons to close to each address the mum,
Der Of towels specified on each piece OF
paper, and to copy sucn other writing
as he might find there, and send 1t IN a
letter with the towels to the hotel keep.
ers. This gentleman was OF the I'M
happy race OF KEEPS, whose particular
mania impelled him to purloln towels
He subsequently, gave to friend the
history of his case, and said he was
goaded to these journeys and pilferlngs
by an irresistible impulse, which he in,
sisted was the result of demoniaca'
possession. He was never impelled,
however, a second time to make the
same journey; 80 that, whilst no hotel
keeper would be likely to suspect during
his visit a gentleman Of his rank and
STYLE as one who would steal his towels
it never transpired publicly, SO far as Is
known, that lie was thief, although
his own consciousness OF the fact EN-
FILTERED his existence.
SILK STOCKING AND GLOVE THIEVES.
Another case reported is that OF
lady. who could not resist the stealing
of silk stockings. She was rich, and
leader in the fashionable circles o
London. There was no sign Of a de
PRAYED intellect, and apart from this ONT
vice she was exceedingly conscientious
| IL WAS HO seCTtl III nSI iauiiiy anu '>'
eldest son-she being a widow-alway'
went himself to the store where she hac
made her last purchases TO find GU
whether they had missed any stocking
after her departure. AS it nearly al
ways happened that they had, he pair
for them, and 80 the matter was hushet
up. Another London lady used to stea
gloves. She acquainted all tie head
of establishments where she traded will
her disease, and requested that sh'
might be watched and a bill of her de
linquencies made out and sent after ne
to her house. This was done for nearl,
two years, when she got rid Of TIT
mania, as is claimed, by course o
gymnastic treatment, prescribed diet
and vigorous exercise. She had Away
paid the bills presented by the trades
men in person and without murmur