Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-07-02
Three Bachelor Brothers.

I Five miles south of Huntingdon, Pa, in
Juniata township, on the banks of the
kaystown Branch, graceful stream
which courses through the most beauti-
fui 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. Tie 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. strenuously 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 Ia 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
ber. 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
mestic 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, sally in need of repairs,
strikingly resembles the inn of fifty
years ago. The surroundings indicate
the very commonest mode of living, and
out OF all proportion 90 the luxuries, and
even comforts Of life that could well bc
afforded. Carpetless, though bright
secured floors, unadorned walls, and
the plainest furniture greet the eye at
every turn. Yet. accessible as the
house is 10 the visitor, there is one
apartment in it, barred against all
corners; and that is n modern exempli-
fication Of the mythical Blue Boards
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 years old, has existed in this hoyeI
for sixty-three years. His room con-
tains not a single piece of furniture.
chimney-place, and in the farthest cor
ner, he sits year after year. His face
is framed in a flowing, silvcry beard.
and the play of muscles as hc wrcnchcs
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 incoherentiy,
and at times manifests great violence.
He lives in total darkness. During
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 piiiful. 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 grovcl in his
dungeon, when. by tho expenditure OF
q small percentage of the boarded
wealth of his more fortunate brothers,
he could be properly cared for and
protected.