The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-26
VOLUME l.
A Strange Case.


A singular case iN being investigated
at Malone, Washington county, New
York, concerning which the following
curious statements are made: Some two
years ago, farmer in Washington coun-
ty, n. Y, left home intending to visit
the west and south, for the purpose OF
disposing of rights to manufacture a
patent spring bed. His name was Will
lis Peyton, and his age about 40. He
left a wife and several children. Moth |
ing was heard from him after his de-
parted till he reached Terre Haute,
when he wrote that he was feeling Ill,
but would proceed to Evansville, where
he had friend by the name of Weaver,
with whom he intended to spend a few
DAYS. This was the last heard OF the
old Peyton, the father Of the children IN
Washington county, but in his place
there has sprung up another man, sever
al inches taller, but bearing the marks
and having a knowledge of many things
that were only known to Willis Peyton
ard his wife and family. Under oath
he tells singular story Of which the
following is a brief outline
After leaving Terre Haute he lost all
consciousness, but somehow got into
hospital at Evansville, where he first
found himself recovering from small
pox. He was then bald and when he
resumed his clothing every article ap-
peared to have been made for much
smaller man. The pantaloons, which
he recognized as his, were at least SIX
inches t. o short. He could get no trace
of his money watch, model spring bed,
or other effect. When he was released
from the hospital he went to his friend
David Weaver, who spurned him as an
imposter. He was in fact, horrible
sight. and looked like the wandering
Jew. or some other walking pestilence.
Weayer's remarks about his friend Will
lis Peyton's personality caused him to
| examine himself, and he found he had
grown eight inches taller in as many
weeks. He would have denied his own
identity, if it had not been for his mind
and other evidences that had been IA
miIliar to him from childhood. OF
] course he could not continue his con-
templated Journey for he had lost Its
object and bearings. He went to an en-
eine house and looked into mirror,
i and did not recognize his face. lie
first thought of suicide, and his next
thought of home. The latter pre-
vailed. He was utterly lost and started
home to fined himself. On the way
home he was taken i'll again, and once
more the world was blank. He finally
arrived at his own door after an absenct
of two years. Willis Peyton's family
believed him dead. The Willis Peytor
who had left that Threshold two year
before, had light hair, nearly red, snc
a very scanty beard, and was thin IL
flesh. The Willis Peyton who nov
knocked at the door was much taller an6
rounder, and brown curly hair and
heavy beard. He looked like a gros
lie on the former, with no truth II
him, but the sequel is startling. IL
:, knocked and was invited into the hous
of "Widow Peyton," and took a seal
Looking at Mrs. Peyton, he said: "
, suppose you do not know me Addie?
She answered: "No, sir, I do not; VIII
are your" The man burst into tear
!. and said: "Yon1l not believe me.
| know when l tell you; but it's got
q come some time, and might as well no
: as not. Pm Willis Peyton."
N Mrs. Peyton shrank from him, ordel
e ed him out of doors, and two of he
! sons and a hired man took him to th
:, nearest Justice, who sent him to Jail &
!. a lunatic. He was erst tried by con
. mission Of lunacy and was adjudge
: perfectly sane. He is now being trie
before the surrogate on the question
!. his pretensions as the husband Of MI
q Peyton and the owner of the Peytc
~ property. He has told his story, tt
= main points of which we have give
a has related in court circumstances tn
w occurred before that same judge yea
3. before; told the lawyers many thin
" that stranger, such as he seems to
n could not know; related Willis PeytoI
n family history, giving some minute
a. tails which are strictly correct and ge
or orally known in the neighborhood, a
;ts even reminded Mrs. Peyton of wor
>ir spoken during her courtship, which g
al supposed no one knew but her husba
oh and herself. 1t seems highly probal
bs he will be able to establish his identi
m incredible as it may appear. The pr
cipal evidence in his favor is that Fl
he nished by several marks and scars
eat his person, and this is unimpeachat
,n- Willis Peyton, when a lad, received
hat severe cut on the instep, which left
a scar. The metamorphosed Willis P
nd ton has the scar. He had tattoo m;
,,.s of an American shield on his right a
or The shield is there; on his left arm
90 anchor-anchor there, but elongat
toe. Peyton had also very curious scar
one of his fingers, which was distigu
by crushing in cog-wheel. A crit
examination Of this finger by the P
sician who dressed the fresh wound C
;our pels the doctor to say that it is the