The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-26
Chained TMenty.seyen Years.

The STORY OF BENJAMIN ZECHLER TERRIBLE
CONFINENEST--AN INDESCRIBABLE SCENE.
The story of the horrible confinement of
Benjamin Zechler. a lunatic, for twenty
seven years, briefly outlined Tuesday, IS
fully supplemented in the following details
from the Philadelphia Times, dated at Read
ing:
One OF the saddest sights ever witnessed
in this section OF the State was the taking
Of man aged fifty-fye, named Benjamin
Zechler, 10 the county almsh0use yester-
day. lie was dressed in simple petit
coat, and from his right leg dangied
rusty chain. This man had been chained
and confined in log dungeon Tor twen-
ty.seven years. The truthful story OF
this mans misfortunes far exceeds any
thing Of the kind published in eastern
Pennsylvania for many years. A few days
ago the Directors OF the Poor Of Berks
county were informed Of the fact that q man
named Zechler, "a lunatic, was confined by
his brother in filthy cabin, and that the
poor unfortunate was being brutalIy treat
ed Accordingly. Mr.. John II. Bower, OF
the Board OF Poor Directors. accompanied
by James w. Sallade and John Il. Knorr,
OF the almshouse, and David Heinly, JUS
tice OF the peace OF that section, proceeded
to the upper end OF Berks county for the
purpose Of making thorough Investigation.
They were directed to a wild aud desolate
region OF sparsely-settled country along
the Blue Mountains, in Albany town.
ship. On the premises OF Joseph Zechler,
brother Of the lunatic, was found small
wooden building, very strongly built OF
heavy logs. Ii contained but one room. A
small door or entrance TO the dungeon was
bolted on the outside by heavy oaken bar.
The low roof was covered by thatch and
brush. Under the den was roughly-built
fireplace, constructed OF rocks. Here fire
was occasionally kiDdled, so that the heat
could ascend through the cracks Of the floor
to give warmth TO the imprisoned lunatic.
This door was made OF rough oak slabs.
CHAINED IN HIS DUNGEON.
When the officials arrived they were met
by Joseph Zecher, a brother of the lunatc.
lie pointed out the way to the dungeon,
near the foot OF the mountains. The man
In the but beat the timbers Of the sides of
his fearful abode with his hands when be
heard the noise OF the approaching foot
Steps. The clumsy, heavy oak door was
uDbarred, and the sight presented on the
inside was fearful to behold. Crouched
down was an old man. His gray and shaggy
beard extended to his thighs, his eyes glis-
tened, and bis black teeth were firmly set.
4 heavy chain ratified on the floor; one end
OF II was fastened 10 a staple In the middle
% the floor and the other was bound to one
OF the legs Of the nude maniac. He was
Vidifnt. His long confinement had made
HIM as vicious and as wiry as bulldog.
The officials tried to coax him, but they
mlgin as we'll have endeayored TO make
peace with an angry byena. The ferocious
being shrieked out series OF oaths aud un-
do "A l.<.s 4.
with has black and bony fists. IL was ter
rlble monent. Quick as thought The poor
Innate as oyerpowered and ironed. The
beayy chain had become SO rusty that
blow from heavy sledge was only neces.
sary TO break 1t. The iron band about his
ankle had 90 be filed OF by the black.
smith OF the aImshouse when they ar
rived with the unfortunate at that institu.
ton. When the officials took the poor man
oct OF bis dungeon be looked abcut him as |
II be had been suddenly transformed into |
another world. For twenty-seven years the |
sun had not shope upon him. In all that |
lime be had been neither washed, clothed. |
nor shaved. His brother stated that he bad |
always given him plenty OF food. This was
showed int bis cell like animals are fed. |
The officers tried 10 get the man TO tell his |
story, but bis reason was gone. He was
mental wreck.
THE STORY or HIS LIFE.
Thirty years ago he was young man,
eaong and vigorous, With clear min0. He
worked on farm that his father owned. Tn |
very hot day, and when his system was In |,
? hIgb state OF exertion aud perspirAtion,
ne Jumped Into mouniain stream Of cold
water. Alter thbt bath his mind became
1xx1 a