The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-14
UNFORTUNATE JONATHAN BASS.
A Mans Joints Become Solid BOne-Unable
to Move for Twenty-Seven Years.

Mans Joints Become Solid BOne-Unable
to Move for Twenty-Seven Years.
Lockport IN. ~ Special.
One of the strangest and most unfortunate
cases Of long continued human suffering-a case,
in fact, without parallel in this or any other
country-is to be found existing only short
distance from this city, in Niagara county.
Hearing of this peculiar condition of things, your
reporter, day or two since, accompanied by
well known physician, drove out on what is
called Ridge road, in the town of Cambria, to
frame residence, situated about four miles east
of the village of Lewiston, on said road, where,
we had been informed, Jonathan Bass the sorely-
afflicted subject of this history was dragging
out an existence ~, Of peculiar hardship
granted admission to the house and conducted to
the room on the first floor, where, stretched upon
movable or nvalid's bed, lay blind man, fifty
four years old, who had not so much as moved
from his present position for twenty seven years.
AT the present time, and in fact, for years back,
he has been unable to move even single joint
of his whole body; and yet there he lies, with
every vital organ in working condition, with an
enormous appetite and unimpaired digestion,
and with many prospects of a much longer life
of just such torture still before him. But this
is anticipating the facts of this strange history,
which the most wonderful part of this
strangely peculiar case.
In the year 1913 Jonathan Bass, then lad
eighteen years of age, was living in the family
of Mr.. George w. Rogers, in house on Main
street in this then little village of Loekport the
house being located Just where the journal Office
now stands. One evening while en- route to a
pastare-feld, above High street to get the cows,
Bass felt very severe pain in the bottom of his
right foot and on taking of his shoe he failed to
find any cause for the PAIN but from that day
Bass has never been well man. That night and
for number of days his foot and leg were badly
swollen and exceedingly painful. They then
grew some better, but were more or less trouble
some on future occasions.
In the fall of 1S49 Bass went to the Avon New
York; Sanitarum but obtained no relief there,
although he stayed some time. That winter he
attended school in this city, and in the spring
went to Buffalo, all the while growing worse.
For few months of the following summer he
was able to act as captain of a canal boat, and
in 1853 kept books for Buffalo firm, but was
soon compelled to give itup. He then settled
upon his farm, his present abode, and in 1919
did some little work in writing for Lockport
parties. In 1856 his trouble became very dis
tressng, all the joints in his body and
limbs having become more and more
afflicted by this time. In 1857 he
was placed upon an invalid's bed-the one
upon which your reporter saw him-and he has
never been removed therefrom. From 1857 to
1865 he managed, with great difficulty, to feed
himself. But since that time he has been fed with
a spoon by Others it being hard task to
accomplish, as the jaws now firmly set and
immovable: yet he has very strong and hearty
appetite, the most indigestible foods causing him
no apparent trouble He is fond of fat pork and
fat beef, which is fed to him in long strips, and
which he sucks into his mouth and swallows
Baked beans, potatoes and milk are also favo-
rites. Mr.. Bass, who speaks without diff
Guilty, and who is very intelligent, CON
verses readily upon any subject which
he has had an opportunity to
study. He was greatly interested in the late
war, and read everything which came to his
reach. This he was able to do by placing the
hook or paper upon rack before him. He thus
injured his eyes so much that in 1869 he became
blind and has remained so ever since. AS in
credible as it may seem, this mans whole frame
is entirely anchylosed, or grown into solid bone
with the exception of his fingers and toes The
bones of the fingers of the right hand have been
nearly absorbed, and the flesh remaining is puffy
and haceid In the left hand not only the bones
of the fingers but of the whole hand have under
gone the same process of absorption. The
finger nails of the left hand have grown
out from the ends, giving the hand weird
and inhuman appearance The mans arms
| lie immovably fixed straight by his side, and do
not measure over five inches in circumference at
their largest parts. His limbs are straight, with
dislocation of the right hip joint and consist
of solid bone. The thigh measures only eight
and half inches around The bones of the toes
have been absorbed in the same manner as those
of the hands. and the faced toes droop over and
hang down like fringe His spinal column is
now perfectly rigid, and, as he only weighs be-
tween seventy and eighty POUNDS it is quite
possible to lift him up by placing one hand
under his head aud the other under his heels
During the lifting operation the body will not
bend or yield from its stiffened position in the
slightest degree. His muscles are not paralyzed,
and their action seems perfectly under his con-
troll. as seen by the motions of the tendons and
cords.
Another peculiar feature of the case is the
heart This important organ is located at least
six inches below the usual position in other
bodies. This, however, has no apparent effect
upon its action, as the pulse beats regularly,
strong and full, about seventy beats minute.
In fact all his vital organs are sound and in act
i've working condition, thus rendering it pos
sible and even probable from him to live many
years longer other things, of course, being ia
vorable. He does not now suffer the pain ex
perienced in the earlier stages of of his disease
or affection, as the anchylosis being now so com
plete there is now no further change to
Der of eminent physicians and surgeons
of this locality have visited this man
and examined into the case thoroughly, and all
unite in stating that they never saw a parallel
case, ever heard of one. Two or three Lock
port gentlemen have several times visited Mr..
Bass and endeavored strenuously to obtain the
consent of this strangely afflicted one to a pro-
iect for exhibiting him through the country as
living wonder; but so far they have failed to re-
ceive his approval of the scheme Should any
one doubt the trnthfuness of this seemingly in
credible taie he can readily visit the residence
named, or easier still, communicate with almost
any leading physician of Lockport in order to
obtain ample proof that the statements made
are entirely within the facts, and that still more
of interest from medical standpoint could yet
be told of this wonderful case.
A Sufficient Reason.
Ben: Perley Poore.
The Russian legation at Georgetown became
after old Baron Bodiscos marriage to the young
and beautiful Miss Williams the scene of bril-