The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-05-31
Three Bachelor Brothers.

Five miles south of Huntingdon, Pa. in
Juniata township, on the banks OF the
Ravstown Branch, a graceful stream
which courses through the most beauti-
full and picturesque scenery to be found
anywhere in this state, lives family
named Hawn, consisting Of three elder
ly brothers. one of whom has been a
maniac from his youth. The united
ages of these brothers aggregate 243
years. and by industry and the strict
est economy they have amassed very
large fortune, the greater part OF
which is popularity believed to be Sc
creted on the premises. Singularly
misanthropic, these brothers have,
from their youth up, s,renuously OBJ
jeeted to any of their number marry
ing. The Hawn brothers have been
known for many years as honest,
respectable farmers. And probably
no other men can be found in this
country who have performed as much
manual labor. As an instance of their
frugalitv, it might be mentioned that
in clearing land or telling heavy tim
Der, they would assume kneeling
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 do
nestle household duties were perform
ed 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 renounce their
edict against the employment of female
help, and reluctantly engaged house
keeper. The large and commodious
frame house, sadly in need of repairs,
strikngly resembles the inn of fifty
years ago. The surroundings indicate
the very commonest mode of living, and
out of all proportion to the Injuries, and
even comforts of life that could we'll be
afforded. Carpelless, though bright
secured floors, unadorned walls, and
the plainest furniture greet the eye ut
every turn. Yet, accessible as the
house is to the visitor, there is one
apartment in it barred against all
corners; and that is a modern exempli-
tication of the mythical blue Beard $
closet"
This room. or cell, contains the old
est maniac living in Pennsylvania to-
day. Daniel Hawn, the youngest of the
Hawn brothers, who is now eighty
four wears old, has existed in this howell
for sixty-three years. His room con-
tains not single piece of furniture.
for this he would destroy. Behind the
chimney-place and in the farthest cor
ner. 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.
He is securely bound to the floor by
linked chains, which encircle his waist,
and which are fastened to the floor by
an iron staple. He talks incoherently,
and at times manitests great violence.
He lives in total darkness. During
the winter months he is protected
against the cold by q stove incased in
the partition, so that the fire can be
attended to without having to enter his
room.
The cause of this incurable mania is
attributed to his having, when boy,
drank freely of cold water while over
heated in the harvest field, whereupon
he took chill and at once became =
raving maniac. His condition is ex-
tremely touching and pitiful Seclud-
ed from the sight of man, and deprived
of pure air, sunlight and the necessary
attention his case requires, this unfor-
tunate being is left to grovel in his
dungeon, when, by the expenditure of
small percentage of the boarded
wealth of his more fortunate brothers,
he could be properly cared for and
protected.