The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-11

Yesterday Sheriff Wright received the
following letter from gentleman who was
under the erroneous impression that Marvin
was In his tbe Sheriff's) custody, whereas
he Is the keeping Of n. NJ. Lee, ESD City
Sergeant:
AUBURN. September s. 1881.
To the Sheriff Of Richmond, Yd.:
Dear Sir,-From published accounts II
appears quite evident that you have In
chsrge a man by the name of Marvin,
among other names, who was once a con-
Yict in the Auburn prison by the name OF
Mahew and Merreit.
Having been IN charge OF said prison as
physician and surgeon at the time OF his
entrance and stay, some OF bis history may
be interesting as well as profitable as TO a
full understanding OF his character. He
had been convicted OF forgery in Lockport,
Niagara county, aud before and during
trial was paralytic. A consultation OF ply
sicians had disagreed in diagnosis. When
he entered the prison was abseut, but re-
turned In the evening, and a glimpse OF bis
eyes and motions as be observed me gave
me the suspicion tbat he was malingerer.
He prOiessed TO have 20 power over any
voluntary motion except the spbincter. lie
could only speak in a whisper, and his legs,
arm, and hand hung loose, with no power
OF motion.
! examined him the next day, and stand
ing eight feet distant induced him TO whis'
per loud enough TO be heard. He SAID be
thought there was sufficient strength in
bis legs 10 bear his weight II be could move
them. | had him placed against the wall,
his legs hanging loose while moving bin.
but they were placed in bracing position
apart, and his back leaned against the wall.
He was left standing, and after time
trembled and sank TO the floor beautifully
and naturally as any weak, sensible man
could. He was pleased with the operation,
and expressed great faith that this doctor
could cure him, as this was new treatment.
The next day be could use bis right arm
and band and write, and from that time re.
covered gradually his voice, use OF limbs,
&c.
was well satisfied that all his disabilities
were ieigned, and sent him out OF the hos
pitaI. Soon after he was brought TO the
hospital, during morning examination,
while the dispeDsary-roOm was full OF con-
victs awaiting their turn, and he was or
dered into an adjoining room TO wait until
he could be attended to. He was in faint
ing or paralytic condition, and in his opln-
ion his case could not be delayed, and be-
ing laid upon the floor was seized with epi-
leptic conyulsions. The attendants were
ali alarmed, and was called in and was
told | would see him die.
found perfect model OF every conYul-
siye motion and muscular contraction, with
frotbing OF the mouth, &C., &C., which Is
described by the most eminent authors as
epilepsy in all its varied forms. The body
would move forwards, backwards, side
ways, the eyes would roll in their sockets.
/ watched him and simply said, "You have
done fnely," and left him.
His nervous system regained its COM
pOsure, and he was discharged cured with
out drugs. During twelve years expe-
rience at this prison no convict was ever
known OF equal ability at feigning all the
forms OF disease or insanity. He was an
expert in all kinds OF deception; but his
first failure at his entrance here rendered
all his efforts futile.
This account may give YOU some know
ledge OF his character should this be the
same man. Yours respectfully,
L. ID RITTTON NJ ID.