The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-07
AN UNCONSCIOUS BIGAuIsT.
Story of n Man Who Lost His Memory
Through an Accident.
Denver News.

The following remarkable story was told to
News reporter yesterday by the hero or victim
of the strange circumstances which befell him.
His story was as follows II was q building
contractor in St. Louis for q number of years
was doing thriving business and making con-
siderable money. | had comfortable homo
near the outskirts of the city, and dear little
wife and one child, and was as happy and con-
tented as a man could be who had everything
one could want in this world. The chain of
events which altered all this was the most
peculiar, and l doubt whether you have
ever heard of anything so strange.
One day, while upon the scaffoding
of building l erecting a heavy
storm of wind arose. and before could descend
some of the supports gave way, and was pre-
cipitated to the ground distance of forty feet,
striking upon my head. For long time every
thing was blank. From what | have since
learned. however, it seems that lowered for
weeks between life and death. and when finally
recovered from the physical injuries had re-
ceived, my mind was entirely gone AT times
was SO violent that it became necessary to place
me in an asylum How or when escaped from
the institution do not know, but escape did,
taking western bound train and coming to
Denver Here l secured employment and
worked along quietly for some months, appar-
emily as sane as ever, but, strange to say, my
memory entirely gone and the past
was all a blank. The loving wife and
child, the beautiful home and friends, all
as if they had never existed. 1t was per-
came acquainted with young lady living on
California street, rear Fifteenth In short
time engaged and the wedding followed
after The very night of the wedding how
ever, while walking on Fifteenth street was
felled by blow on the head from a footpad and
was carried home insensible.
1t some days before ] recovered when,
strange to say, the memory of my old and other
life returned. Oh, the horror and agony of the
moment! | had deserted good wife-innocent-
ly, it is true--and had unwittingly committed
bigamy. 1t was some time before dared to face
my second wife and tell her the truth. and was
at times tempted to adopt the cowardly eXpedi-
ent of silence and endeavor to forget
those to whom l was rightfully bound by
every tie of duty and love. | fought off the
horrible temptation, however. and summoned
up courage to see the woman had so uninten-
tionaly wronged She came into the room
where was lying, and shall never forget the
painful scene that enSued %! Charles she
said, coming up if 10 caress me- Then fol-
lowed look of wounded love and pride as I
turned away cody with guilty feeling mixed
largely with fear Am | not your wife! she
pleaded in piteous tones Why do you treat me
soP
FINALLY / told her the whole dreadful story.
With blanched face and staring eyes she sat
like statue through it all, and then giving
mighty shrek, fell to the floor in q swOon. The
next day she left the city, and, in spite Of every
effort to find her whereabouts for week,
was compelled to abandon the search. l have
written home TO st. Louis and shall leave Den
tonight. 1t will be as if | had arisen from
the dead when nv dear ones see me-