Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-09-16
Remarkable Ride Of Somnambulist.

GgBAT BEND, fa., Aug. 81, 1875.
A remarkable case Of sonnambulism
occurred in this vicinity one night last
week, the results of which are also most
extraordinary. The particulars, as learned
here, are as follows
Samuel Howe, very respectable citi.
zen Of Locust Hill, about eight miles from
here, has for some time been in very
feeble condition, suffering from dropsical
affection. He is sixty-seven years Of age.
and has been able 30 get about lately only
with the aid of others. Early on Wednes-
day morning last his wife awoke, and to
her surprise and alarm discovered that he
was not in bed His clothing lay where
it had been placed the night before, and
Mrs. Howe was a. once seized with the
fear that her husband had dragged himself
somewhere and killed himself TO get rid Of
his sufferings. She searched the house
without finding any trace of him, and
then repaired to the barn. The barndom
was wide open, and look inside revealed
the fact that the horse was gone. Mrs.
Howe now aroused Mr. Schouten,
neighbor Hecame TO her assistance, and
examining the ground about the barn
found horse-tracks leading to the road
and along the road in the direction OF
Harpersville. Schouten hitched up his
team and. arousing another neighbor, Mr.
Pintz, to accompany him, started to fol.
low up the horses tracks and see whether
they were in 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 stop
ping. 1t was easily followed, the tracks
being fresh and undisturbed The trail
was kept as far as Colesville, Broome
County where il led to house in the vii
lage and stopped. Schohten and Pintz
made inquiries at this house and found
that it was occupied by a hrethcr-in-iaw
of Mr.. Howe and that the old gentle
man was there abed. He had ridden up
to the house on horseback about six O'Clock
in the morning, bareheadeG and with only
his night-clothing on. Entering, he said
to his brother-in-law:
- am very tired and want to go TO
sleep"
His relatives were greatly startled at
his singular adventure among them, and
at first thought he was insane. They soon
discovered, however, that he was in a
state of somnambulism, and at once put
him to bed. Schouten and Pintz arrived
at the house about eight O'Clock, and the
old gentleman was still asleep. The
gravest fears were expressed as to the re-
suit of his extraordinary ride, his physical
condition being so precarious. Mr.. Howe
awoke soon after the arrival of the men
searching for him. He was completely
dumbfounded when told where he was.
He had no recollection of anything since
retiring TO bed the night before. Beyond
a slight soreness aad fatigue he COM
planned of no, bad effects of the
ride, and, to the surprise of every one,
arose nimbly from bed and dressed him
self in some clothes of his brother-in-
laws and walked about with an ease and
activity he had not exhibited for many
months He required no aid to get in the
wagon TO return home, and was quite
fresh upon reaching Locust Hill.
A singular fact connected with the case
is that Mr. Howe never was known to get
up in his sleep before. He had not been
a mile away from home in long time,
nor ridden on horseback for many years.
He was still active and feeling exceeding
ly well at last accounts.