The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-12-24
PUZZLiNG THE EXPERTS.

Tie theory of some people that Gui-
teau is ieigninE insanity recalls to the
| Washington STIR the case of one How
| ard, Il colored prisoner in the District
Jail. a few years ago, who for long time
bafled the doctors aud others. That pa
per thus tells of him: He was arrested
here in the Winter of 1S79-SO for bur-
glary and was indicted in seven cases.
Had he been convicted on all, he would
have been sentenced to the pententary
for about sixty years, and probably have
ended his days there. The fact that he
had been thus indicted was published
and made known to him, and in his cell
Cone not far from that in which Guiteau
was first contined) he was, one morning,
found hanging by the neck. lie had
managed to tie himself in such a manner
as to make it look impossible for him to
have done the tying himself.
lie was at once cut down, and it was
found that he had apparently lost his
reason, as also the use of his legs, and
the Jail officials. not then dreaming that
he was teigning. removed him to larger
cell. where he could have another pris
oner to keep him company and wait on
him. Here Howard would lie all day
and all night, apparently unable to move.
He ate nothing so far as could be OBJ
served. never spoke to any one. and ap-
parently was wreck mentally. Drs.
Young and McWillams We're at first of
the opinion that the case was a genuine
one, and SO was Gen. Croker and most
Of the Jail officers. lie was watched
with more care than any other prisoner
in the Jail. The case became one for
study, and some outside physicians were
given an opportunity to examine it. 1t
was not until Howard had spent mouths
in this condition that the officials became
satitied that he was feigning imbecllity
As well as sickness. Experiment after
experiment was made with him. In the
summer time flies We're attracted to his
cell in large numbers. While he was |
lying on his couch perfectly motionless.
they crawled into his ears and nostrils. |
and seemed to bother him SO little that |
the most careful observer could not see |
muscle move. Dir. Young after care
fnl examination. could find no cause for |
the condition of Howard. and with Gen.
Croker finally became suspicious that
he was playing "'possum. but they !
could not bring their minds to the belief |
that this man had sufficient will power |
to act the role he had essayed continu-
ously. Towards attendant. one night. |
discovered some of the food which the |
prisoner had hidden away, and about the |
same time the colony of fles in the cell |
having become reinforced closer watch |
was kept on him. One afternoon. when |
there was considerable noise in the build |
ing. one of the guards walked noiselessly |
to the cell and there found Howard in
tanning the flies away As |
soon as the sick and demented man saw
that he was discovered, he became help |
less. The physicians then determined to |
cure him, and. giving him shock of the |
galvanic battery. soon found that it was |
not impossible for him to use his legs |
lie however, became afterwards appar-
emily as had as ever, aud being brought |
into the rotunda one day, having to be |
lifted. the battery was applied, and it |
was with difficulty tina. the strongest |
men could hold him. and he soon found |
voice to yell out, care you going to kill |
mea' After this he was taken to court.
tried. convicted, and sentenced to the |
Albany penitentiary Before going there |
he needed several other applications of |
the battery. On the journey he pre-
tended that he was unable to walk. but |
the mere mention by one of the guards |
that his comforter the battery, was |
at hand, greatly improved his condition.
and he was safely landed in the peniten- |
tiary walls The last accounts from AL |
bany are to the effect that Howard is |
now one of the most efficient workers, is |
in fine health and intelligent as any col
ored prisoner they have.