The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-01-06
A CURIOUS CASE OF FEIGNED INSANITY
How Experts" Were Puzzled by a Colored
Prisoner.
WdshiDutOn Star.

The theory of some people that Gui-
teau is feigRing insanity recalls the case OF
one Howard, a colored prisoner in the Dis
i trict Jail a few years ago, who for a long
time bafiied the doctors and others. He was
arrested here in the winter of 1879 80 for
burglary, and was indicted in seven cases.
Had he been convicted on all he would have
been sentenced to the Pententiary for about
sixty years, and probably have ended his
days there. The fact that he had been thus
him, and in his cell (not far from that in
which Guiteau was first confined) he was
one morning found hanging by the neck.
He was tied in such manner as to make II
look impossible for him to have done the
tying himself. He 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 than dreaming that he
was feigning, removed him to a larger cell
where he could have another prisoner to
keep him company and wait on him. Here
Howard would lie all day and night, appar-
emily unable to move. He ate nothing so
far as could be observed, never spoke to any
one and was apparently a mental wreck.
Drs. Young and McWilliams were at first Of
the opinion that the case was genuine one,
and so was General Crocker and most of the
Jail officers. He was watched with more
care than any other prisoner in the Jail.
The case became one of study, aud several
outside physicians were given an opportunity
to examine it. 1t was not until Howard
had spent several months in this condition
that the officials became satisfied he was
feigning imbecility as well as sickness. Ex-
pertinent after experiment was made with
him. In the summer time flies were attract
ed to his cell In large numbers. While he
was lying In his cell perfectly motionless
they crawled into his ears and nostrils, and
seemed to bother him so little that the most
careful observer could not see a muscle
move. DR.. Young after a careful examina-
tion could find no cause for the condition of
Howard, and with General Crocker finally
became suspicious that he was playing 'pos-
sum-" but they could not bring their minds
to the belief that he had sufficient will pow
er to act the role he had essayed continu-
ously. Howard's attendant one night dis
covered some Of the food which the prisoner
had hid away, and at the same time the COL
ony of flies in the cell having become rein
forced closer watch was kept on him.
One afternoon when there was consdera-
BILE noise IN the building one of the guards
walked Doiselessly 10 the cell, and there
found Howard industriously tanning the
dies away. As soon as the sick and dement,
ed man saw that he was discovered, he be-
came helpless. The physicians then deter.
mined to cure him, and giving him shock
of the galvanic battery soon found that it
was possible for him TO use his legs. He,
however, afterward became apparently as
bad as ever, and being brought into the ro-
tunda one day, having to be lifted, the bat
terry was applied, and it was with difficulty
the strongest man could hold him, and he
soon found voice to yell out, "Are you GO
ing TO kill me?" 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 bat
terry. On the journey he pretended that he
was unable to walk, but the mere mention
by one Of the guards that his So comforter"
the battery, was at hand greatly improved
his condition, and he was safely landed
within the Penitentiary walls. The last ac-
counts from Albany are to the effect that
Howard is now one of the most efficient
workers, is in fine health, and as intelligent
as any colored prisoner they have.