The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-03-16
POSSESSED O. TIT DFVIL.
Mysterious and horrible Commissions
Annually Attack Farm CT.

One OF the most singular cases which
has ever been ventilated through the
public press has recently come TO my
notice. The circumstances are almost
too singular for belief, and were it not
that their truth is voached for by nu-
merous representative men Of this sec
ton, among them a prominent minister
of the Gospel, would be considered IS
almost too extravagant for even the
most fertile Imagination. The follow
ing are the facts CT the case, and
wonderful tale they tell
Mr.. William Hutchinson IS q well-to-
DO farmer, residing about a nile from
Springfield, Erie County, Pc. During
the greater part of lis life-he is now
III the vicinity Of 80 years OF age-he
has resided there, ana has.-raised quite
family of children. He was always
remarkably healthy man, never was
troubled with any disorder whatever,
except those incident to childh BOD, and
and is deyout Christian and well res
pected by all who know him. One
winters evening, eighteen years ago, he
was suddenly seized with violent con-
Wilson's His violence vas such that
It required the ui4.s5d strength OF five
men to hold him His contortions are
described as simply horrible-every
muscle in mis- body, seemed to writhe
and twist, his limbs and arms were
flung about convulsivelv, his face was
contorted to a hideous egree, and as
one of my informanss sid, he would
assume all manner Of shapes, actually
tying himself int MI, until It seem
ed as though every bore In his body
must break. These commissions lasted
nearly two hours, and finally passed off,
leaving the victim III state of unfeign-
ed bewilde-ment. lie stated that he
was conscious during the whole time,
but had no control over himself. He
experienced no pain, and after they
had left him felt perfectly natural.
The affair occasioned considerable
comment, and was regarded as the most
remarkable incident. The general as
constituent was largely increased, how
ever, when the following evening. at the
same hour, and III the same manner, the
gentleman WAS again attacked. The
same involuntary exercises we're gone
through with, and after two hours had
elapsed the victim arose, feeling, if pos
sible, more be-yi!dered than ever. But
4hn a,,1 at Thu -o.-t rfof,t
and the next, and every night for up
ward of two weeks, Mr.. Hutchinson
found himself compelled to conduct
himself in this extraordinary manner.
Physicians were called III, but all in
vain they could not grasp the c. Sc,
and their remedies were alike useless.
Chloroform produced no more effect on
him than SO much water. Morphine,
taken internally and injected into tie
blood, proved as useless as the chIoro-
form. They even piled him with liquor
and made him dead drunk, but as soon
as the hour arrived for his visitation
the effects of the liquor disappeared,
and after ''eonvulsing" for the usual
time lie would emerge g sober man.
The case WAS wholly incomprehenaible,
and long after the disorder left linn was
the talk Of the town.
The remainder OF the winter Dir.
Hutchinson was entirely free from these
strange attacks, and dining the follow
ing summer pursued his vocation as a
farmer in peace, with nothing to dis
turb him in regard to the affair except
IN the way OF occasional unpleasant re-
miniscences. The anniversary OF his
fist attack approached and finally arriv-
Ell. It was not necessary for Mr..
Hutchinson 20 look through an almanac
to see whether it was the anniversary.
lie was reminded III a more foccible way
by sudden return Of the drea iGalady
The same performance was given as the
year previous, and after the spasrns had
passed Mr.. Hutchinson began to wen
der what kind of q man he WAS anyhow.
lie laughed and ioked over the matter,
aud spoke of putting his strange vista
tons TO advantage by joining some c-r-
Gus. These attacks lasted The same per-
iod as the year before, coming every eve
ming at the same hour and remaining
with him for nearly two hours, and then
they left him as suddenly as before.
The following year Mr. Hutchinson
was attacked and Tor two weeks indulg-
ed in these mysterious gymnastics. He
began to grow tired of it, There was
to much samoness about the manner and
time of conducting these ceremonies.
He went TO a medical institute IN Cleve-
land and there submitted himself to the
watohful care of sixty physicians, who
eli Witnessed enc of his Gums" at the
same time. The stupendous knowledge
aad poEderous brains CT these men of
many pills when ali piled together failed
to throw any light on the subjeet, and
Mr.. Hutchinson passed his time in turn-
bling around and making an involuntary
fool OF himself two hours every day, and
the rest Of his waking hours in wonder
ing what he did il fog.
The years slipped by, but brought
him no relief. Each succeeding ami
versary saw return Of his disease if so it
can be called. No remedies could be
found to act on him during his .'strug-
giles" Being Of numerous turn of
,,ef3.1 b.a On sesc.sta7 shot sI>o,- 49, -.