The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1883-06-27
DRIVEN MAD BY A GHOST.
THREE PERSONS MADE INSANE BY ON
NIGHTS EXPERIENCE.

Lat night Mrs. Mo0re, u WiuoN,
who lives with her young son in an old
dilapidated house at Brush valley,
near syhdertown, Pa, was startled by
hearing a shrek, followed by agoniz-
ing yells, in the room next to hers, oe,
eupied by her son, a youth about ~
years Of age. In fright she ran into
the room and found the boy almost
dead with fright, trembling in every
limb. She quieted his fears and qiias;
toned him, and after considesaae Z
delay he told her that about / O'Clock
while listening to the furiously raging
storm, he was startled by seeing
through the dim light of a lamp which
burned in the room a man raising the
window. Almost paralyzed with fear
he sat up in bed, unable to move, until
by the aid of a vivid flash Of lightning
he perceived the features Of the man
to be those of his father, who was kill
ed in the mines FIVE years a. %. With
the shrek that had so startled his
mother he sank on the bed and the
intruder fled hastily.
When the mother had heard his
story she turned her gaze. toward the
window and beheld the identical face
pressed against the pane. With Il
terrific yell she sprang to the window,
and raising the sash Jumped through,
striking the ground, twenty-five feet
below. with terrific force, and injuripg
herself fatally. The shrieks and moans
of young Moore brought a few
neiehbors to the spot, and they carried
the limp body of the woman into the
house and after a few hours labor
succeeded in bringing her to sensibiI
ity. As soon as she fixed her eyes
on her son she burst into violent
fit of laughter, in which the son Joined
and which lasted until both fell to the
floor exhausted. On the part Of young
Moore the fit of laughing was then
followed by violent spasmodic attacks.
He foamed at the mouth, barked like
a dog and made vicious snaps at those
who attempted to quiet him.
A young farmer named IIerrick
went up to him. and while attempting
to quiet HIM, caught hold Of his hand.
No sooner had he done 50 than he, too,
was seized with fearful spasms and
writhed on the floor in intense agony,
exhibiting the peculiar symptoms
manifested by the Others. The few
other neIghbors who had come to the
scene we're 50 badly scared as 10 Ne Of
little assistance, and they fed perl ipi-
lately, leaving the three maniacs.dlone
in the room. Mrs. Moore was stark
raviax mad an>l~~o~n. tbs Swyr solTi5g
men we're busy at work dem0lishing
the furniture and striking one another.
One Of the women who had at FIRST
rushed to the scene ran home and re.
turned with her father, an old army
sergeant named Billheimer, who ran
into the room, and, grasping Herrick.
threw him to the floor. and, putting
his foot upon his breast, bound him
with the bed ropes. He then secured
young Moore in a like manner. Mrs.
Moore was bleeding from the wounds
received from falling out Of the win.
dow and lay on the floor insensible.
Lifting her in his arms Billheimer car.
ried the woman to the open air, the
storm having ceased.
One of the neighbOrs had mounted
horse about one hour before and had
ridden at full speed across the rough
country in search of n doctor. After
a long search he found one and brought
him to the stricken family. The
young man IIerriek was taken home
by his father in the morning and
another physician attended him. M
hope is entertained of Mrs. MJore's
recovery. Her son was unusually
violent this morning and could scarce.
~ be held by four men. The case has
occasioned much excitement among
the farmers throughout the neighbor.
hood. Nrs. Moore's husband was
killed in the mining region five years
ago. She aud her son are practical,
steady people. Young Herrick is not
50 violent, but arrangements are being
made for his removal to an asylum.
Mrs. Moore was in a sinking condition
this evening, and she will hardly live
until morning.-Philadeiphia Tines.