Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-24

4 VALUABLE HINT FROM DUMAS s.MoNTE
CRISTO" IMPROVED UPON.
From the Utica Observer.
The life of John d. Williams, whose death has
been announced, was most remarkable one.
In 1S47 he caught cold on a Hudson river
steamer by sleeping between damp Sheets and
bacame victim of inf1ammatory rheumatism.
Paralysis followed, both sides becoming af-
fected. He became unable to move muscle,
except his eyelidS, and dumb and blind.
DR. Theodore Dimon reported the facts to f.
s. Brayton. who was one of the most intimate
friends of the deceased, and he became much
recital in Dumas Monte Cristo' of the inven-
ton of a little girl whose grandfather Il
partlytic, affected very much like Mr.. Will
Hams- She told him to wink once when he
meant Eyes" and twice when he meant mo
When he or she had other than affirmative or
negative communications she would spell out
the words by mentioning the letters of the
alphabet until the right one was reached. and
by putting them together their wishes were
understood. This system was adopted by
Mr. Williams friends, and by patience and
perseverance the wants of the sufferer
We're made known and relieved as far
"a possible. OF course the little girls sim
pie code was improved upon, and from 1915
ton was kept up in this way. BY ingenious
and patient efforts the sufferer became able to
move his arms a trfie and bend his head to-
ward his hand. He was never able TO walk
and thirty-seven years were spent in his easy
chair or bed. once he showed by the express
sion OF his face, that he needed assistance, and
with the spelling code gave his sister the word
lily. Ihls was very vague, but patience was
virtue OF which there was an immense stock
In this family. Mrs. Wager asked ii he wanted
bIrd-if he wanted to tiy-and other questions
OF that kind, but the response in the mega
tive Finally he Spelt .'s-le-e-v-e," and on ex-
animation 1T was found that fly under his
sleeve had been making a trOtting course of his
delicate skin. much 10 mis- annoyance, while he
was unable to- move the requisite muscles to OBJ
tain relief. This incident will give faint idea
OF the daily life of this sufferer and his devoted
. friends.
Physicians who had known all about MrWil-
Hams constitution. when attacked, predicted
that ne could not survive As hours. The late
DIR. Coventry made an elaborate report of the
case, which attracted considerable attention
from members of the profession. In spite of all
the physical debilities of the deceased there
was no deterioration of his mental powers He
had a remarkable memory, and his reasoning
powers We're excellent. He was kept well in
formed on the current events OF the day by the
reading of papers. books, magazines. &c He
was patient, appreciative, and had admirable
seli-control and was constantly attempting to
derive means To- relieve his friends of some of
the cares his condition imposed upon them He
labored on deVising a writing apparatus for "a
long time, but obtained one from New York
friend that was of service To him. With this he
learned to write quite easily after tedious prac-
tice.
About n month ago Mr.. Williams began to
Iall, caused by a failure of his digestive powers
lie was IN his 12d year, and for over half of his
life he was helpless.