The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-04-11
THREE STRANGE BROTHERS.
TIE ISOLATED LIFE LED by THEM
FOR MANY YEARS.
One of Them for Sixty-three Years n
Chained Nnniac-Eheir Antipa-
thy TO women and NatrimOny.

Chained NauiaC-Ehpir Antipa-
thy TO women and MatrimOny.
The following strange story has been
made public in a recent letter: Five
miles south of Huntingdon, Penn, in
Juniata township, on the banks of the
Raystown branch, a graceful stream
which courses through the most beauti
full and picturesque scenery to be found
anywhere in that State, lived family
named Elawn, consisting of three elderly
brothers, one of whom has been ma
MAC from his youth. The united ages of
these brothers aggregate 243 years, and
by industry and the strictest economy
they have amnsscd a very large fortune,
the greater part of which is popularity
believed to be sccreted on the premises.
Singularly msanthropic, these brothers
have from their youth up strcnuously OBJ
jected to any one of their number mar
rying. The Hawn brothers have been
known for many years as honest, re-
spectacle farmers. And probably no
other men can be found in this country
who have performed as much manual
labor. Asan instance of their frugality it
might be mentioned that in clearing
land or falling heavy timber they would
assume knecling position and cut the
trees level with the ground. Their work
was always so well arranged that each
one knew Just what was required of him.
Until recent years the culinary and other
domestic household duties were per-
formed in turn by the brothers, their dis
like to the opposite sex being so great
that for fifty years no woman was ever
known to enter the house. Finally,
however, owing to their declining years,
they were compelled to renouncc their
cdict against the employment of female
help, and reluctantly engaged a house
keeper. The commodious frame house.
sadly in need of repairs, strikngly re-
semblcs the inn of fifty years ago. The
surroundings indicate the very common
est mode of living, and out of all pro
portion to the luXurics and even comforts
of life that could be afforded. Carpet
less, though bright secured floors I'M
adorned walls and the plainest furniture
greet the eye at every turn. Yet, Access
sible as the house is to the visitor, there
is one apartment in it barred against all
corners, and this is modern eXcmpliiica-
ton of the mythical blue Boards
closet.''
This room or cell contains the oldest
maniac living in Pennsylvania to-day.
Daniel Hawn, the youngest of the Hawn
brothers, who is now elghty-four years
old, has existed in this hovel for sixty
three years. His room contains not a
single piece of furniture, for this he
would destroy. Behind the chimney
place, and IN the furthest corner, he sits
year after year. His face is framed in a
flowing silvery beard, and the play of
muscles as he wrenches and tugs at the
chains that secure his person shows his
great physical power. lie is securely
bound to the floor by linked chains which
encirclc his waist and which are fastened
to the floor by an iron staple. He talks
incoherently, and at times manifests
great violence. He lives in total dark
ness. During the winter months he is
protected against the cold by stove
encased in the partition, so that the fire
can be attended to without having to
enter his room. The cause of this in
durable mania is attributed to his having,
when a boy, drank freely of cold water
while overhcated in the harvest field,
whereupon he took a chill and at once
became a raving maniac. His condition
Is extremely touching and pitiful. Sc
cluded from the sight of man, and de-
prived of pure air, sunlight and the
necessary attention his case requires, this !
unfortunate being is left to grovel in his |
dungeon when by the expenditure of a
small percentage of the boarded wealth !
of his more fortunate brothers he could /.
be properly cared for and protected.