Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-13


IN CHAINS AWAITING MADNESS There is
farm house about two miles from Arnold Sta
ton, Clay county, over which sadness and sor-
row and terror are brooding, for in one of the
rooms Of the house are two strong men heavily
ironed and chained to the floor
They are waiting there for u most terrible
lnaady to take possession Of them, and after
putting them to torture thousand times
worse than that of the inqusiton, to destroy
their lives.
When mad dog killed by Campbell at
Liberty, several days ago, was on It's destroy
ing mission through hout the country, these two
men crossed its path and received its terrible
. bite The maidstone was applied, but fearing
aud doubling its efficacy, they prepared for the
fearful ordeal Of an attack Of hydrophobia.
Not knowing at what hour the fell disorder
might make it's appearance, and fearing for the
safety of their wives little ones and friends,
they had heavy irons made for the purpose,
aud bound themselves so securely that it would
require almost the strength of u Sampson to
break their tastenings. Their hands are Sc
curely manaced strong iron band is locked
around their waists, and to this band is welded
heavy chain, one end of which is fastened to
heavy ring bolt IN the tioOr-and there they
stand, waiting.
Waiting for the dread approach Of the awful
maddening stupor that announces the flow
of the poison through the blood and the
brain; waiting for the stupor from which
they will revive by the quick and sudden
twitching of the muscles, deadly pains in
the head and through the body and burn
ing eyeballs while poisonous froth will gather
at the mouth. They will be seized with an un-
controllable longing to lite, to tear to destroy,
The stupor gone, they will be writhing, snap.
ping, snarling, growing, howling, tortured
demons-pressing hard upon their tastenings,
glaring savagcly upon all around them. the ties
of love, of blood, of humanity obterated from
their understanding into horrible con-
vulsious of rage and pain, clanklng and rafting
their chains in order to free themselves from
restraint, and with but one thought one de-
sire-to xiii and destroy-to rend with teeth
and nails every living thing, and after this with
hot, scortching eyes strained and twisted back
in their sockets, and blood and foam streaming
from their parched and burned lips to die-to
die amid the convulsive agonles and tortures OF
hydrophobia, worse even, it is said: than the
pains of hell itself
This is what these unfortunate men are wait
ing for, and there is terror in every breath
they draw. Little children with saddened faces,
toudle and caress them with increased love, for
the dreaded fate of their fathers have been
whispered in their ears. Fond wives and moth
ers with fearful eyes and talterlng hearts. ten
derly care for them, and see that every want is
supplied and the bondage made as light as love
and sympathy can render it. These loved ones
are also waiting, watching, not knowlngwhat hour
they will be drawn away out OF the reach OF
the two men, whose very touch may soon be
almost sudden death.
Up to this time no indication of madness has
been manifested, and as the time has already
passed 10 which the disorder attacks its victims
after the poison has been infused into the blood,
the friends are very hopeful that the maidstone
has proved effective, but the men declare they
will wear their irons several days yet so fear
tu are they that the poison IS still lurking with
iu them.-Kansas City (No.) Times.
ASLEEP FOR SIXTEEN UAYs.-About the
middle Of January German named Jacob
Wilhartz hired house and opened general
furnishing store on Fourteenth street near
Portland avenue His stock of goods was we'll
selected, and Wilhartz had the appearance ofan
industrious and respectable gentleman. 1t was
soon noticed however, that his store was fire.
uuently closed up for several days together,
and, during these intervals, Wilhartz was never
seen Then he would suddenly make his APP
pearance, open the store. and attend to bust
ness for few days. His singular conduct at
racted attention, and soon became subject
of comment in the neigh5orhood, and suspl-
cions grew up that something was wrong about
the man.
Officer Slater, of the Fourteenth Street De-
pot heard of the case and went to work with
his usual vigor to investl gate it. His lnvestl-
cation elected the following facts Wllharz
is subject to remarkable periods of somnolence.
His landlord stated that at one time his house
had been closed for sixteen days, during all
which time Wilharlz had not left his house or
bed. The landlord called several times tor his
rent. but found the house closed the windows
and doors securely boltcd, and was unable to
gain admission.
Finally by pounding upon the doors and win
dows and making great noise he succeeded ln
arousing the occupant, who lives entirely alone.
Wilhartz came to the door muthcd up IN
long strip of carpet, and presented most
sleepy and bewildered appearance. Tie paid
his rent and again retired to bed, where he hao
been for nearly week before being aroused.
Officer Slater states that during these inter
rals of somnolence he has carefully watched
the house of Wlhartz, and is certain ne never
left the room in which he sleeps. lie has now
been asleep nearly five days, and at the hour
at which this is written he still sumbers as
profoundly as if he had only been IN bed few
hours During these spells of somnolence the
sleeping man of course partakes OF no Dourlsh-
ment and how his life is preserved during
such long periods of fasting isa mystery; aud
the most remarkable feature in. this truly, re,
narkable case. He is said to be in excellent
health, and rather improves physically, during
his long maps The case is one that VIII DOUBT
less attract the attention of our medical men:
Officer Slater and the immediate nelgihbors OF
Niharz are quite confident that no deceptlon
is being practlced by him, but that the case Is