The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-03
~ The Ride of "a = omnambuIist.-- &

-- The Ride Of "a e OmnRmbulfst.- =
a RFspEcTABLE CITIZEN TAKES LONG RIDE ON
HORSEBACK WHILE lie Is AsLEEP-HE RIDES
TO THE HOUSE OF RELATIVE he WAKsS
Up AND THINKS HE IS IN BED At HIs OWN
HOUSE.
GREAT BEND, PA, August 31.-A remark.
able case OF somnambulism occurred in this
vicinity one night lasfweek, the results Of
which are also most extraordinary. The
particulars. as learned here, are as follows:
Samuel Howe, very respectable citizen
OF Locust Hill, about eight miles from here,
has for some time been In very feeble con-
dition, suffering from dropsical affection. He
is siXty.seven years Of age, and has been able
to get about lately only with the aid Of
Others. Early on "Wednesday morning last
his wife awoke, and, to her surprise and
alarm, discovered that be was not in bed.
His clothing lay where it had been placed the
might before, and Mrs. Howe was at once seiz.
ed with the fear that her husband had dragged
himself somewhere and killed himself to
get rid Of his sufferngs. She searched the
house without finding any trace Of him, and
then repaired to the barn. The barn.door
was wide open, and look inside revealed
the fact that the horse was gone. Mrs. Howe
now aroused Mr.. Schouten, neighbor- He
came to her assistance, and examining the
ground about the barn found horse tracks
leading to the road and along the road ia the
direction of Harpersville. Schouten hitched
up bis team, and, arousipg another neghbor,
Mr.. Pintz, to accompany bin, started to fol-
low up the horse's tracks and see whether
they were 10 any way connected with the
disappearance Of the old man.
The horse was tracked to Harpersville, and
from there TO other villages, through all OF
which it had passed without stopping. 1t
was easily followed, the tracks being fresh
and undisturbed. The trail was kept as far
rs Colesville, Broom county, where it led to
house IN the village and stopped. Schou.
ten and flntz made inquiries at this house,
and found that 1t was occupied by brother
in.law OF Mr.. Howe's, and tsat the old gen.
flenan was there abed. He had ridden up
to the house on horseback about O'Clock In
the morning, oareheaded and with only his
Nigh:-clothing on. Entering, he had said to
his brother.in.a law. 10
ssIam very tired and want to 60 to sleep.n
His relatives were greatly startled at bis
singular advent among them, and at first
thought be was insane. They soon Disco
rered, however, that he was in state of
somnambuHsm, and at once put him TO bed.
Schcu,en and Pintz arrived at the house
about 8 O'Clock, aud the old gentleman was
still asleep. The graVest fears were express
ed as to the result Of his extraordinary ride,
bis physical eoDdition being 80 precarious.
AE. Howe awoke soon after the arrival Of
the men searching for him. He was perfect
" dumtoapded when told where he was.
He bad no recollection Of anything since re.
firing to bed the night before.
Beyond @ slight soreness and fatigue he
complained OF no bad effects Of the ride,
aud, TO the surprise.of every one, arose MIN.
bly, freEa bed and dressed himseR Ia some
clothes Of his brother.in.law's, aud walked
about with an ease aud activity be had not
exhibited Cor many months. He required no
aid 10 get In the wagon to return home, and
was quite fresh upon reaching Locust Hill.
. A singular fact connected with the case Is
that MT. Howe never was known to get up
In bis sleep before. He had not been mile
swap from home in long time. nor ri1den
on horseback for many years. He was still
active and feeling exceedingly well at last ac-
counts. .t,, ,, $ & es.', IS