The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-12-25
wILLFuLLY DUMB.
Over Twenty Years in an Almshouss ana
Speaking But Twice.

WILLFULLY DUMB.
Over Twenty Years In an Almshouse and
Speaking But Twice.
In that very unromatic spot, the Port
land poor-house, there is man who
may be of the blood of the pair described
by Scott:
There is man in Dryburg bower
Ne'er looks upon the sun;
There is q monk in Melroee tower,
He speaketh word to none.
OF this strange man the Portland
directory for the years 1859 gave the
following name and description: John
L. Attchison, No. 1874 Middle Street,
boards at. the Elm House" At that
time he was in the dry goods line, in
company with his brother. He was
young man of great promise, "quick
and successful in business" as one de-
scribed him; and was also fine scholar,
passionately fond of reading, and q
great boo k-collector. He never mar
ried or set up an establishment of his
own, but had some rooms at the Elm
House, where he was a favorite boarder.
Life seemed to be bright and full Of
promise, when, suddenly, there came q
great change. The keen man of busi-
ness abandoned his store, the student
neglected his books, and the favorite of
the social circle declined all invitations
and refused himself to all friends
He retained his rooms at the Elm
house, but made complete change in
all his habits, remaining in his room all
the time, stunning the sun and fresh air,
| and after a little time refusing to speak.
For time he made his appearance at
the table twice day, taking his accus-
toned seat. Then he seemed to find
| even that limited contact with the
world unpleasant. He would then go
down to the table, make selection of
the article of food that struck his fancy,
and return with it to his room. His
| friends tried to reason with him, but in
vain. He refused to talk, and at last he
was abandoned to his fate. He re-
manned at the Elm house until his prop
erty was all gone, and then his friends
sent for the overseers of the poor, and
| gave him into their charge. It was
hoped even at that late hour his pride
might be aroused and he be led to re-
turn to active life, but he did not make
the slightest objection to being removed
to the poor-house. He was told that
his valuable collection of books would
be sold, but he declined even to talk
about the matter He was taken to the
poor-farm, and was told to go up to
work. He had made no objection to
being taken to the poor-house. He had
exchanged his elegant suite of rooms for
the one room of pauper, but he felt
| II 30 1,-ox 1s,,,
and so made the longest speech he had
been known to make for years:
81 swear / wont work.
He has kept his word. Since that
time more than twenty years have
passed and he has remained an inmate
of the poor-house, but he has never
labored in the least, nor, SO far as is
known, has the sun ever touched him.
He is now an old man of sixty-four,
very neat in his appearance, clean
! shaved, erect, with fine, intelligent
face, an eye that is still bright, and a
step quick and vigorous. In twenty
years his only exercise has been his visit
three times day to the dining-room,
where he takes his food and then re-
turns to his room, and visit once a
week to the wash-room to obtain clean
garments. He looks after his room,
allows no one to enter it, has never been
sick, and, SO far as known, has held nc
communication with the rest of the
world, except on two occasions. Once
he confessed trifiing fault, and once,
in reply to the request of an officer Of
the institution to be allowed to enter his
room, he said, Il am engaged. sir. u
He never reads and seems to have for.
gotten world that has forgotten him.
The cause that led to this great and
sudden change in his habits will prob
ably never be known, and he will carry
the secret with him to his grave. The
world has moved on, while he seems tC
have staid behind. His mind is appar
emily clear, and he is to all appearance.
simply a retired business man. He ha,
been SO long a resident of the poor
house that he is almost forgotten, and
it would probably be impossible at this
late day to discover the reasoS. disap
pointment in love, or whatever it might
have been, that led him to his present
course of life.
| What strange bits of life histories W.
sometimes find in the strangest places
Long years ago there was found at tn,
gate of the same Portland poor-house 9
stricken and helpless man. "He was
little bit of an 1rishman, good littl'
soul," said one of his friends: '.for, poo
fellow! he made many friends. He wa
contented and apparently happy, bu
could never be brought to tell where ht
came from. He didn't belong here ant
had seen better days, but Portland gav'
him home, and, recently, grave. ii,
belonged somewhere, and probably lcf
his home when he found himself be
coming helpless, and wandered here II
die after some years of restful ife.-
Portland me. Cor. Boston Globe.