Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-25


has felt himself going insane for year past,
with desire to kill so strong that he feared
to go to his home. A remarkable alteration
took place in his countenance as he spoke.
He was declared insane.
CHICAGO, July pa most peculiar
case of insanity for psychical study was that
of Harry Munzer, which came before Judge
Gary this morning. According to the evil
dence it would appear that the strange case
of DR.. Jeykll and Mr.. Hyde and the
stranger case of Archibald Malmaison,
which have created much comment in circles
of fiction, are not altogether physical i'm
possibilities. The story which Harry Mum
zer, sane, told of Harry Munzer, insane,
was so fascinating that the jurymen quailed
and skunk back in their chairs, half afraid to
be so near one who could admit himself to
be the victim of such physical and
psychical changes as the witness claimed
to have undergone. Munzer rs about
% years of age, and never having INDUCED
in the general practices of fast city young
men, his features bore decidedly inno-
cent but intelligent expression as he en-
tered the witness box. The soft black hair
curled about his broad, business-like fore
head. For four years he had acted as en-
try clerk for Edison Keith, and his manipu-
lation of figures was considered something
wonderful. He had been subject to gloomy
spells at periods about two years apart, dur
ing which he would become a recluse for
weeks at time. He spoke of these.
"Just tell us about the last one, said the
Court, listening to the minor details given
above.
WATCHING HIS INSANITY GROW.
81 feel something approaching heavily"
said the witness, "but l can take care of
myself here"
Beads of perspiration stood on his brow,
but he displayed no nervousness.
1.-The queer sickness came on me again
about a year ago." said he, "and this time 1
became much alarmed at the developments.
seemed to be approaching a state altogether
different from the natural one. An ague-
like feeling crept over me, beginning first
in my brain. / was then living at my
fathers house on West Lake street. My
mind did not seem growing weaker but it
seemed to be altering its functions materi-
ally. Presently the sight of a tool or a
knife with blade would start every fiber
and nerve in me to tingling, and became
afraid OF myself-afraid for my friends. l
felt Al impulse growing upon me to harm or
kill. l knew what l was about. l recog-
nized the faces of my friends. L had a
conl control of my mental faculties. l was
not out of my head in the least, but
there was a desire which seemed to be mus
cular rs well as mental, and wholly apart
from my natural volition. My father saw
only the outside of this, and dared not ex-
plain to him the complete revolution in my
being. He sent me to Lake Geneva to be
treated in private institution there and
now for seven months 1 have been there
under the constant care of several experi-
enced physicians. They have been unable
to assist me. grew worse; 1 knew it and
realized the dread change. Never have L
lost my senses. The doctors gave NE choral,
but fear that has hurt my nervous system
and served to augment this fearful develop
ment rather than cure it. We consulted
and thought change would be good for me.
WANTS A CURE FOR MADNESS.
''I now insist that be placed somewhere
so NAV be watched and treated differently.
The week / have been here, since 1 left
Geneva, have not been home. / will not
60 there. | believe that some rapid change
for the worse would take place Immediately
should go back. This mania would un-
man me and force me to do that which
have been battling against. l would kill
them. 1 might kill myself, and yet would
know what was about
The story itself was not very different
from what one might expect to hear from a
man who felt himself becoming insane.
What terrified the jurors was the comnlete
change in bis features as he proceeded
From an innocent, harmless expression at
the beginning they changed to one of ex-
tleme cunning and malignity. Deep lines
appeared in his cheeks beside his nose.
The eyebrows fell back and the corners of
the mouth drew down. His forehead
wrinkled up as an old mans and his voice
actually changed so that listener might
have supposed that man of 45 were talk
ing. The words came from deep down in
his chest, and, in fact, the entire aspect of
the man was changed. He bent forward in
his chair, his shoulders stopped, and his
ewes became watery. 1t was remarkable.
The Court gazed at the phenomenon before
him in astonishmen:. When the narrator
reached that portion of his recital where he
spoke of killing, the jury gazed upon the
face of q man about to commit murder.
THAT will do" said the Judge, il a
husky voice. Mnnzer was startled at the
command. He looked up wildly, then fell
back in his chair, half exhausted, with a
sigh. Tears fell down his cheeks. The
wrinkles disappeared from his forehead, the
hendish expression lett his face, and in a
minute more he was the young man, Harry
Munzer, again with the innocent face. The
jury brought in verdict finding him in
sane.