New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-24
INSANE FROM A FRACTURED SKULL.
SINGULAR RECOVERY OF POLICEMAN.
! pAIK OFFICER LOSING HIS MEMORY WHILE ILL

Park OFFICER LOSING HIS MEMORY WHILE ILL
his RETURN TO DUTY.
A tall, thin park policeman with soldierly
fearing has been duty daily at the Arsensi In Central
Park for several days. His name ia John O'Shaugh-
nesy. For several years he has been member Of the
police force with good record BY his associates he
often known Captain Jack" having
served 10 the regular army and taken part
in the campaign against tho Hodoo Indians
On the night of Augus, last year. after the funeral Of
General Grant he duty in Central Park, and the
following msrnng he was picked up unconscious az the
foot OF rock suffering from severe fracture OF the
skull. spot 81 the ground above she rock showed
where he had lost his feot hold and fallen OsAaugnnesy
was taken to Roosevelt Hospital where It wac found
that his injury fracture OF the base Of
the skull. Ii pronounced fatal. not person
in thousands survive such injury The
heavy wcignt Of the Ia falling had
crushed . section OF bono large the
PAIN OF hand The broken bone was removed and the
wound carefully dressed, but tho MAS whole system
was overcome by tho shock Though breathing reCu
larry he lay uotouless with his eyes closed. for DAYS
His vigorous constitution struggled to maintain fe aud
al times appeared 10 BE- successful then would i've
way until scarcely breath could DO detected Three
times his death was announced as only aQuostioD OF
few hours but each time ho revived and began the
struggle
Tho ply sclans bad become deeply interested In the
and liant all their sk to aid the
In his recovery. lie supported by stimulans aud
sush nOurishine liquids could be administered TO AID
the weak flame OF life. But At the end OF mouth he
WA s!i "nconsoiou. snS lay hour after hour In the
same orpor. Ills vile or ssmo o! his family passed
mos; Of the time VITA hIp. When Ito entered the nos
pal he was robust man, Weighing nsariy 200 pounds,
skeleton. one Jay he opened his eyes aud glansnx
around wildly for moment rscognized his wife aud
At home. blu. he shook bis head and closed
IN. yS, "s, rS% +. DSn sa
his open nnd Was able to take food. but could
healed and csrtay covering had taken the place
OF t6e bone that had been removed. while MIA strength
sblr to Sit up though he did not recognize any
and Only spoke ossy that no wished TO be taken home
at bsas detained his eyes flashed and he threatened
20 away ATOMS Finally he became dangerous In his
efforts. Ills mind WAS evidently deranged aad it
Thought necessary to send him to an asylum
Tho patient st!ll urged TO be allowed 10 30 homo and
men were necessary 60 control htm. DIR r. r T. Mar.h
tho surgeon Of the park poioe. who had also attended
DoaS S. ws him .GS r ss5s s'tr
before sending him 10 an asylum onco az aome all HI.
and improved rapidly. But a fog seemed TO have
settled over hln mind and the past was banl with
the exception OF hia own name John. ID. Marsh
instructions thgt no should be made familiar from day
day with obtocts around him and n this manner he
At hrst ~ ignorant as CHILD OF letters o. nsures shd
hitG ss be walking In the park aud asked him
Lam pretty well now" returned oshaaghnessy;
In tno business for tho stree, Cleaning
Department. Il required several weeks to ALLEVIATE
and WHOM At last he recognized that he
was attn 10 tho Park Department bs
st sssted that no ca1 led the business for
the d. psrtnsnt Ia peeombsr, after four months ALB
sence no had sufficiently recovered health and strength
and lrsrasd MS duties return his
ton Ha mut eiesr In all bat one particular
when asked 10y Dr. Marsh how tho accident happened
last August, O'SaaughRessy replied:
=" up tho rocks after some people ! there
and iuy foot slipped on the ice"
Now remenboP. John" replied the Doctor. show hoe
u the day before yoa feh when General
Grant buried. IL midsummer. Ice don't
last long IN Central Park 10 such weather"
lie shook his head duhiously. Gradually this inpres
sion has passed away. 81 suppose" Or. Marsh
piaiped, THAT his last recollection OF the surroundings
was by MOONLIGHT which OF summers night often
gives objects tho appearance OF winter with
the grsund. lie lie nearly well as be WAS,
although has not yot recovered his former weight
With little care for time do think that he will
be any the for that accident. Recovery from
such ujary, however, rs very rare. and bis case 10
pAe IN ON enH.