The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-07-14
SIX MONTIIS ASLEEP,
Tho Long md InrXplfcnblc Nap OF h Con.
nccticut Man of Thirly-IIvc.

nccticut Man of Thirty.IIvc.
FROM tie Bridg"poH (CDnn.) !S!anNa,W !
Skilllul medical men, deep thinkers,
and even the psychological gifted have
been called on for opinions as to what,
Ails Mr.. Thomas w. Plntt-whut first
induced his drowsincss, and what has
tended to bind and keep him so long in
lctlargic state, compared with which
there is no parallel in medical history.
MIR. Plat is at this time in the house
where he has always resided with his
father, MIR. WanZrr Plhtt, Il well-to-do
farmer, whose dwelling stands four
miles from Ncwtown and about t1c
NHo~m "s Sru,s"i 'i,Sl' rou'r ~ Coriners. 8 i4i!s!
The sleeper is n wcll-Duill man about
t1lirty-tivc years o'd. lie received a
good education, and in manhood as in
youth was above mcdiocrity rs to in
tclligcncc and amiabiltv. While not
leading in the social circle, he always
stood well with his fellows and cniovrd
the respect Of all who knew him. or
II retiring, disposition; he was unlike
most OF the young men Of his town.
IN that lie never had Il hankcling TO
leave home to take position in some
store or business house, prclcrriur
rather the quiet of his native heath.
owning productive farm, the father
sought to condnct il on correct princi,
pies, by which it is understood that to
receive rcal profit, one must do / )st
CT the work within himself, and assist.
ing IN this the sleeper secured pleasure
amd satisfaction. iio Wis ever iii,
obedicht soE, and in payment therefor
was the subject Of special parental
care. During the spring of 1852 Mr..
l,Iatt, to DC in fashion with the rest of
the word, was attacked with malaria.
ana while treatment OF the disease was
III accordance with symptom, recovered
slowly, and afterwards was at no time
tree from its effects. During the sum-
lncr he continued working on the farm,
but manifested a few comatosc sv,np.
toms, and during the having period he
was rs active in the field rs any, and
conducted himself in all particulars as
nc had done in previous years. One
not day, however, he was affected more
than usual by the heat, and, while not
overcome by it, lay down on the hay
under q tree to rest, hoping to feel
better after short nap. While under
the tree the belief is entertained bv his
mother, Mrs. Platt, that he suffered,
for on being removed to the
house !c. acted and talked STRANGELY
and was never aftcrward really HIM
self. Whether it was malaria, sun.
stroke, or the two combined that in.
duccu his present condition or not;
certain it is that after last Thanksyiv-
ing he kept himself aloof; remained
most of the time within doors, and,
three or four days before Christmas,
sank into y keep sleep i'm his bed, con.
4nuing there till tho latter part of
January, scarcely changing his posi-
lo' or rccognlzliIg any person in at
tendance, and not once rousiny from
MS stnpor. Meantime watchiulncss
ana care have been given him day and
mght. Toward spring there was a
sIlsnt cnanGc III the sleeper, which was
,nan,1cs,cd by m inclination to move,
put ne did not open his eyes, and dur
ing thc three months Since the semi
ulcohsclousncss SGT in has scarcely
catoh enough to sustain life. What
lhhucncc kept life in him is moro than
any one can tell. With lcngthcnine
aa!s nc was from time to time boil
lcfCd up IN bed, still with closed cycs
ana mouth scaled against speech. lie
''"'iH'i ii':', alit SliclCC seemed
10 lhulcatc that his Wish was simply to
be loft alone. Later he was assisted
to a sitting position, but the kindrsi
words of an aiicctiumato mother warr
uttered in vain in his cars--thosc words
fell as upon the ear Of one totally be-
rc1t or reason. at last he was taken
from tho bed and his clothes mt on.
This was brought about with Difficult
ty, and he was like one with no life
ana no ipnscnlar power. In April he
began TO walk tromblingly at first,
holding on by articles of furniture.
and aiterWard lic could stand and wall;
alone. Nc! power Of language; how
eyer, resulted in the reply Of q sylla-
b!e. AS days came and went. he
walked from his bed 10 tho rocker, and
back again to the bc,t Daily, Ike an