The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-08-09
Anaeranu gatelligenfer.
WHEN ONES INSANE.
How II Seems-What One Thinks About
An Ex-Lunatics Story.


was once insane, and often muse
over my experience. There are, of
course, many kinds Of insanity. Some
mental disorders take place SO gradually
that even the closest companions Of the
victim are at q loss to remember when
the trouble began. 1t must have been
this way in my case. One evening, after
an opprcssively warm day, day when
experienced more fatigue from the heat
than eyer before or since, sat on my
porch tanning myself This arm that
is nov in notion" mused, "inuit one
of these days be dust. wonder how
long will the time be. Then | mu,ed
upon the evidence had of immortality.
| could do things that others could not
accomplish. had gone through battle
after battle, and though bullets sang and
struck around me thick as hail, yet l
remained uninjurcd. | had passed
through epidemics Of yellow fever. My
idea gained strength ns ] muscd, aud |
was convinced that should live forever.
No, this cannot be, for death follows all
men alike. Yes, am to die like other
men, and believe that it is my duty to
make the most of life; to make money
and enjoy myself, and to educate my
children. | wanted to be rich, and |
began to study over an imaginary list Of
enterprises. At last hit upon radishcs.
People must have radishes They should
be in every store. They could be dried
and sold in Winter. would plant fifty
acres with radish seed, and people all
over the country would refer to me rs
the "radsh king" l would form rad.
ish syndicate and buy up all the radishes
hn nI rol I
hastened to the house to tell my wife that
she was soon to be radish queen At
the breakfast table said:
Julia, how would you like to be q
radisi queen %
ga what7" she exclaimed.
explained my plan of acquiring
great wealth, and during the recital she
acted so curiously that was alarmed. /
feared that she was losing her mind.
Finally she seemed to understand She
agreed with me, but told me not to say
anything more about it, After breakfast
saw her talking earnestly to her father,
and | knew that she was explaining to
the old gentleman how she intended to
pay his debts when became known rs
the radish king. The old gentleman
approached me with much concern and
told me that needed rest and that
must not think of business He was old
and sadly worried, and promised him
that l would not think Of business.
Pretty soon went out to inspect my
radish kingdom. Looking around, I
saw the old gentleman following me.
From the field went to the village.
approached prominent citizen, who had
always been my friend, and told him how
intended to become rich. He seemed
grieved, aud saw at once that he was
contemplating the same enterprise. 1t
seemed mean nat he should take advan-
tage of me, ald l told him 80. Ie
tried to explain, but he made me 80 mad
| would have struck him if my father
in-law had not come up and separated
us. tried to calm myself, but could
not. Those who had been my friends
proved to be my enemies, and was de.
termined to be avenged, but before |
could execute my will was seized by
several men. My father law did not
attempt to rescue me, and hated him.
was taken to Jail. My wife came to
see me, but she did not try to have me
released. | demanded lriul. but no
lawyer would defend me. Then real
lied that the entire community was
against me. became 80 mad that my
oo6Si oSSuSu W hA'E bNSi ilS ilht
dark cloud. 1t pressed me to the floor
and held me there. Men came after II
long time and took me away, thought,
to the penitentiary. One day cat came
into my cell ard tried to bite it. She
made the hair fly, but killed her.
don't know how long remained there,
but one morning the sun rose and shone
in at me through the widow. 1t seemed
to be the first time that had seen the
great luminary for months. A mist
cleared from before my eyes. My brain
began to work, and suddenly realized
that had been insane. I called tho
keeper, and when he saw me he excaim-
ed, THANK God |" and grasped my hand.
l was not long in putting on another
suit of clothes and turning my face to.
ward home, A physician said that
was cured. and everybody seemed bright
and happy at my recovery. boarded a
train with q gentleman and went home.
My wife tainted when she saw me and
learned that had recovered my mind.
I asked for my little children, and two
big boys and = young lady came forward
and greeted mo. 1nad been in the asy.
lum twelve years.