Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-09-16
Everybody a Crank.

II have not the least doubt" said an
eminent American physician at recent
medical convention, THAT at least one
out of every ten of the people in this
country live under some form of insani-
ty. In some it becomes violent; in 9TH
ers noticeable; in others never known
nor suspected, except there is what
might be termed collusion of circum-
stances.n
There have been some curious cases Of
this last species of insanity. Some sew
en- or.eight years ago well-known pub
lie official of the state of Ohio visited
Niagara Falls with his family for a
months rest. He was nervous and
worn out, and there were certain busi-
ness and. political matters which fol-
lowed him there and could not be
shaken off. The gentleman did not realize
that.bis nerves were all shaken; on the con-
trarv. he prided himself in believing that he
couid endure more mental worry than three
ordinary men. He had been at the falls
three or four days when he was joined by q
Chicago capitalist. The two had specula-
tion together, and the details were to be
settled here.
One day after dinner the pair went into
Prospect park and sat down on bench facing
the rapids, and not over five feet from the
water. When they had talked for an hour or
so. the Ohio gentleman seemed to be some
what excited in his speech and movements.
He threw several sticks into the water, talked
in loud tones, and soon attracted attention.
The Capitalist thought it bit queer, but felt
no uneasiness until the other suddenly seized
him in tremendous grip and said:
'Blank, you are id scoundrel, and
I'm going to send you over the falls!''
The capitalista smaller and the weaker man,
and he felt the helplessness of the situation.
He was gripped by the shoulders, but he used
his hands to clench the seat behind him, and
replied to the lunatic:
III know am bad man, and you must
give me time to pray"
GAN right, all right" said the Ohioan:
"you shall have two minutes for prayers, and
then we'll go over the falls together. Say,
Blank, you are ID good fellow, after all
and we'll 60 together"
The idea with the Chicago man was, of
course, to gain time, The people who had
been attracted by the loud talk had passed on,
and it so happened that no one else came that
way. He hoped the lunatic might change
his mind after two or three minutes, but in
stead of that he grew more impatient, de-
ciaring that they must hurry up or they would
be to late. Despairing of aid from others,
the capitalist finally said:
"See here, Mr.. Blank let's go up and Jump
off the Goat Island bridge. We'H have far
ther to swim, and want to leave my wallet
with some one."
"By George! Good idea; come onn' ex-
claimed the other, and they walked up the
path and out of the park arm in arm. They
were no sooner out of sight of the rapids,
than the Ohioan began to grow calmer, and
as they bore off toward the hotels he remov-
ed his hat, scratched his head in thought
full way, and picked up the point he dropped
quarter of an hour before and went on de-
batting the transaction as if nothing unusual
had occurred. An hour later, when asked II
he was in earnest in threatening his friend,
he was completely dumbfounded, nor could
he be made to believe that anything of the
sort had occurred. However, dim susplc.
| ion that he might have been unduly excited
by the roar and clash of the waters crept into
his mind. He went down to the park alone
but returned almost at once, his face very
| pale, his eyes betraying wildness, and his
whole manner showing that he had passed
through severe struggle.
"I shall keep away from the water here.
after" he said to the capitalist. II couldn't
stay there five minutes without committing
suicide or murder"
The matter was of course kept quiet ever
| from the wife, but two years later, while the
gentleman was making trip on the Ohio
river he was suddenly missed, and he has
never been heard of since. The boat was
racing with another, and the probabilities
| are that the excitement brought back his
passion, or self destruction, and that he
went oyerboard.-N. Y. Sun.