The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-02-20

able to speak, and attributed his
dumbness TO the paralysis OF the
vocal cords in the larynx. "Ife is
gradully recovering said he. "and as
soon as these cords become vitaliaed
again their functions will return to
them. 1t may be suddenly or it may
may be slowly" Subsequently, about
twelve months ago, DR.. Rueomer gave
the strongest possible assurances that
Mr.. Wood would entirely recover his
speech. 1t was thought advisable.
however, that he should return to
Hartford. In last November he went
to New Orleans, where his wife and
two children now are. The climate
OF Louisiana did not prove beneficial
to him, and after a sojourn OF TO or
three weeks he started for the North.
Now comes the wonderful part OF the
story. When the train on which he
was traveli G approached Pittsburg
it came in collision with another train.
The engine was smashed and the cars
were viol,n ly shaken. The dumb
man Z, 1t new and peculiar sensa-
ton that seemed 10 Indicate change
OF some sort in his condition. Sud
denly a Consciousness OF its signifl-
cance came TO him, and. sprinSing
4 i,sa ha1 n hn Inf
form OF the car, where brakeman
was standing, and tried to address
him. As he now relates the incident,
ne opened his mouth, moved his
tongue and felt that he was speaking.
The brakeman locked doubiously. as
if he had heard his voice. but failed
TO understand its import. He an-
swered by exclaiming. "What?' Too
excited then 10 make n further at
Tempt to speak. Mr.. Wood returned
to his seat.
On the next day he arrived in Now
York, and as soon as be met his friends
he eagerly related to them in writing
the hopeful experience which he had
so lately had. They hoped. but
scarcely believed in his bright antici-
patton. On Tuesday last he was
engaged In discussing some personal
and business matters with Mr.. ne
Comb, at the Office Of The latter. Mr..
! McComb remarked to him that his
general health was fully restored,
and expressed the most cheerful
views about his future. He urged
him 10 make the utmost tGlrt to
regain his Inference. Mir. Wood
seemed to form the resolution TO fol-
low this advice. and became excited
and enthusiastic. He then seized a
pencil ard wrote the last communi-
cation which lie nude on paper. II
was as follows:
Don't be surprised, but when
come back to-day L will talk 20 you
with my tongue. | have IL now
Handing this to Mr.. McComb he
went out. He afterward related that
he went TO the Staten leland ferry and
took passage on one OF the boats
I Seated on a stool near the rail he
opened his mouth and lifted up hi:
/ voice. It's use and Infections all came
back 10 him in an instant. 1t did not
even sound strange to him. He couli
hardly realize his own Joy. lie sang
spoke, shouted and tried his voice in
every way which happened to occur
to him. 1t was perfect. He accostec
people and they did not stare at hiu
4 took il as a matter OF course.
The next returning boat brought
him back 10 New York. Breathles!
and flushed, hs entered the Office o
his brother-in- law and exclaimed:
Its all right"
Mr.. McComb jumped up, rushed
forward and ioyfully embraced him
SO did everybody else who was there
"We were almost stunned will
amazement." said Mr.. McComb las
evening. ut seemed SO strange t.
hear him speak. He didn't seem t
make the least effort, and his voic
sounded exactly as 1t used 10. Ever,
tone and infection was the same
: The scene at home, though, was TX
traordinary when we came TO towr
The children, you know, had neve
heard their uncle speak. They hadn'
the slightest conception that he ha
ever done so, nor ever could. l. wa
long before they recovered from thei
wonder.
The past three or four days hav
been spent by Mr.. Wood in visitin
his friends and receiving their SINGER
= congratulations on the restoration {
his voice. In very respect he
now perfectly recovered from tn
effects of his sunstroke.
q -. -
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