The New York herald., 1877-01-08
THE PERSONAToa or CHRIST.

HIS LIFE IN THE MADHoUsE-HIs FELLOW
LUNATIcs DEEPLY INTERESTED IN HIS
cAREER-sANE VIEWS OF THE INSANE
was not little surprised on visiting the Asylum for
tho Insane at Trenton N j., to-day to find the adven
lures and mysterious disappearance Of John c. Daudt
the Messiah personator the principal topic OF CONVERSE
ton among the demented inmates. Comment on tho
strange by people OF the world was only natural
but that should be discussed argued and talked over
by the poor unfortunaes was condition OF affairs
hardly expected. Passing through the various corr-
doris Of the institution my attention was attracted to
the number Of HxRALDs lying the tables in differ
places.
"Do the patients read much Of the doings Of the
outside world p, l asked DR.. Britton, who accom-
panied me.
'Yes indeed he replied, "they take lively inter-
est as rule in matters outside and we encourage
them a certain extent. as It proves beneficial.
LuNAric MEMORIES
Several OF tho New York papers daily reach here,
and they read with avidity, but the story which
has taken the deepest hold upon thcm OF late is that
about Daudt They all remember him wcll and thor
conversation about him Is almost as fptona as that
hoard without the building "Look," said he, 'at
that group; they are now discussing the subject"
motley assembage Of unatics were standing at one OF
the windows engaged In conversation. little
lievng that snakes always occupied his bed was the
principal spokesman and appeared to deeply feel for
the mslortunes of his late companion.
MAD PHILOSOPHERS
~ really pity him." ne heard to say. ''He was
always kind man, but he used to act strangely. He
would have been better off had he renamed here.
used to think when he prayed SO frequently and
preached 70 us that he insanc and now am sure
OF it. All, poor Daudt,' he ceingly added, III sym
pathize with you in your delusion."
Another pitiable creature who firmly believed him.
self TO be George Washington. aud thought that tho
food served oy his attendants was mama from heaven.
was less m ae deserved his Any
man must be crazy to imagine himself Christ. He
should have more sense"
rnE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS DIFFUSION.
Daudt was admitted to the institution the 10th of
January, 1876, upon application Of the Brdgeton au-
thoriues his haliucination that he was the Son Of
God being at the time strongly marked. For long
time after his admittance his only comfort was the
Bible, which he read 6y aSy ana night when NJ at last
iected the Holy Book and took to preaching. HIS man
ner gentle and mis- arguments on religious topics
his unfortunate compan ions were inclined to pro-
family he was particularly severe, warning them OF
full Of tenderness II asked him once SAID the pny-
sician who attended hlm, why It was II he was
really ne s had ys ssen
HE REFUSES rooD.
One day Daudt astonished his keeper by refusing
food. Every effort to make him eat was unavailing,
and for three days noursnment passed his lips.
Becoming alarmed that he would die OF starvation Or.
Brtton finally called upon him, stomach tube In hand.
to force food down hts throat lt s use, Doctor,
said he, ~ will not ea aud you need not be alarmed
about my dying, for l am immortal Before re-
sorting to violence the Doctor determined to try
the effect OF reason, and thus addressed him =
snow, Daudt you believe yourself to be the
Messiah, but 1 convinced that 1t Is only
q dsusion your part. You have been reading the
Bible m Ich OF late which accounts for It, 10 refuse
food is a very foolish thing The laws OF natuFe will
not permit live without eating, and as your
physician, must upon your taking nourlshment
Should you refuse will DO compelled to resort to
force Daudt listened attenvely and alter some little
meditation replied nationally enough, Wcll Doctor,
don't know but you arc right. Will eat" and he fell
on the pr0Gered victuals like famished wolf
HE BECOMES TAILOR
When Daudt had been in the institution about three
months it was concluded TO put him in the tailoring
department, and here he distinguished himself by at
tention business and ability In his trade UNTIL be-
coming i'll, found necessary to take him from
labor 1t particularly noticeable that bodily illness
always had tendency to dispel his illusion.
During the last few months OF his stay IN the asy-
haiucination disappeared altogether When there
fore, letter received from his daughter Irene
aged twenty-five years, who lived in Bethlehem, Pa,
ask ing for his release superintendent Ward believed
he we'll enough TO be liberated. few days later
she called anu Daudt bade go0dby to all and accom-
panied her homo on tho 10Th OF last month.
HIS LIBERATION
On the Goth ult the asylum authorities learned by
letter that had disappeared from his family. For
his mysterious disappearance IN staten Island they
are unable TO account He not a man. DR.. Britt0n
thought, who would commit sulcidc, even when most
insane, unless possibly he believed his Fathcr CON-
manded him 80 to do.