Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-26
,JEKYLL AND HYDE.
THE STRANGE STORY OF HARRY MUM
Ter, SANE AND INSANE.
While He Tells the Story Of the Peculiar
Physical Change lie Undergoes
Transformation.

A Chicago special says: A weird and
startling scene was enacted IN Judge tfary 9
court this morning. which brings strong
confirmation in its similarity 70 SHOW that
the Strange Case of DIR. Jekyll and Mr.;
Uyden il much more than the fanciful
creation of novelist delighting in tho
odd and bizarre. That a man cen be sub
ject 20 involuntary physical and psychlcal
changes. in either state being fully alive to
his actions, was demonstrated, II the
strange story of Harry Munzcr Is TO be ac-
cepted without question. The story was
fascinating in its cerie interest and held
the whole court throughout ITS recitation;
MunZer is about twenty-seycn years oid
and has been of exceptional habits. His
face is not unhandsOme. and his features
bear a decidedly innocent but intelligent
expression. The change be underwent du-
ring the hearing was remarkable. HIS story
itself was not so very different from what
one might expect to hear from man who
felt himself becoming insane. What terri
fed the jurors was the complete change IN
his features as he proceeded. From an
innocent, harmless expression at the
beginning they changed 20 one OF ex-
IRENE cunning and malIgnity. As he pro-
ceeded deep lines appeared IN his cheeks
beside the nose. The eyebrows contracted
darkly and the corners Of The mouth drew
down. His forehead wTinkled up as an old
mans. and his voice actually changed 50
that a listener might have supposed that \
man of forty-fve were talking. 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 eyes became
watery. The Court gaZed at the phenome-
non before him III astonlshment. When
the narrator reached that portion of his re-
cital where he spoke of killing the jury
gazed upon the face Of a man about to COM
NIT murder.
For four years he had acted as entry
clerk for Edison Keith, and his manipula-
ton of figures was considered something
wonderful. He had been subject to gloomy
spells at periods about two years apart.
during which he would become reclusc
for weeks at a time. He spoke Of the spells,
saving, Il feel something approaching
heavily, but / can take care of myself
here"
Beads of perspiration stood on his brow,
but he displayed no nervousness. lie
queer sickness came on me again about a
year ago" said he, and this time | be-
came much alarmed at the developments
seemed TO be approaching "A state alto
gether different from the natural one. An
ague-like feeling crcpt over me, beginning
first in nv brain. ! was then living at my
fathers house, on west Lake street. My
mind did not seem TO grow weaker, but to
be altering Its functions materially. Pres
emily the sight of tool or anything with
a blade would start every fibre and nerve
IN me 10 tinghng and became AFRAID OF
mysef-afraid for my friends. | felt an
impulse growing upon me to harm or Kill.
| knew what ! was about.
Il recognized the faces Of my friends, |
had cool control of my mental faculties.
was not ont of my head in the least. but
there was a desire which seemed To be
muscular a. well rs mental and wholly
apart from my natural vOhtions. My Ia
thcr saw only the outside of this, and |
dared not explain 10 him the complete
revolution in my being. tie sent me to
Lake Geneva 20 be treated in private IN
stitutiOn there. and now for seven months
| have been there under the constant care
of several experienced physicians. They
| have been unable to assist me. | grew
worse, and | knew It, aud realized the
dread change. Never have lost my senses:
| The doctors gave me chlorOtOrm, but L
| fear that 1t has hurt nv nervous system
and served to augment this fearful devel-
opment rather than cure it. We consulted
and thought a change would be good for
me.
Il now insist that ! be placed some
where so | NAV be watched and treated
differently. | have not been home since |
| left Geneva. ! will not 90 there, for be-
| lieye that some rapid change for the worse
would take place Immediately should ! 60
back This mania would unman me and
force me to DO that which have been bat
Ting against. / would kill some one. |
might XII myself: and yet would know
what was about
THAT Will do. said the Judge in husky
voice.
Munzer was startled at the command.
He looked up wildly. then fell back IN his
chair, half c~'austed. Tears fell down
his cheeks, L. wrinkles disappeared from
his forehead, the fendIsh expression LETT
his face, and minute more he was again
the young man Harry Munzer with the
innocent face. The jury brought in YER
dict finding him insane.