Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-25
HAD DESIRE TO MURDDR,
And Placed Himself Under Restraint Of
the Law.

CHICAGO, July PA most peculiar case
of insanity for psychical study was that of
Henry Munser which came before Judge
Carey this morning. According to the
evidence it would appear that the strange
case of DR.. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde and the
stranger case of Archibald Malmaison
which have created much comment in
circles of fiction are not altogether physical
impossibilities. The story which Harry
Munser. sane, told of Harry Munser, in
sane, was so fascinating that the jurymen
uualed 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.
Munser is about q years of age and
never having INDUCED in the general
practices of fast city young men, his fea-
lures bore a decided innocent but intelli-
gent expression as he entered the witness
box. The soft black hair curled as an &C
tors 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 some
thing wonderful He had been sub
ject to gloomy spells at periods
which he would become a recluse for
weeks at a time. He spoke of these. Just
tell US about the last one," said the court,
listening to the minor details given above.
II feel something approaching heavily"
said the witness, but / can take care of
myself here" Beads of perspiration stood
on his brow, but he displayed no nervous
ness.
The queer sickness came on me again
about a year ago." said he "and this
time | became much alarmed at
the developments. | seemed to be
approaching state altogether different
from the natural one. An ague-like feel
ing 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
10 be altering its functions materially.
Presently the sight of tool or anything
with blade would start every fiber and
nerve in me to tingling and l became
afraid of myself; afraid for my friends.
/ felt an impulse growing upon me
TO harm or kill. l knew what
1 was about. 1 recognized the
faces of my friends. | had a
cool control of my mental faculties. /
was not out of my head in the least but
there was desire which seemed to be
muscular as well as mental and wholly
apart from my natural yolItion.
'My father saw only the outside of this
and dared not explain to him the COM
plete revolution in my being. He sent ME
20 Lake Geneva to be treated in a private
institution there, and now for seven
months | have been there under the con-
slant care of several experienced physi-
clans. They had been unable to assist me.
| grew worse. ] knew it and realized
the dread change. Never have | lost my
senses The doctors gave me choral, but
/ fear that has hurt my nervous system
and served to augment this fearful devel-
opment rather than cure it. We consulted
- l.. IL, i L.
me. now insist that | be placed some
where so | may be watched and treated
differently. The week | have been here
since | left Geneva / have not been home
l will not so there. l believe
that some rapid change for
the worse would take place
Immediately should | go back. This ma
MIA would unman me and force me to do
that which l have been battling against.
would kill them. l might Kill myself
and yet l would know what | was about"
The story itself was not so very different
from what one might expect TO hear from
man who felt himself becoming insane.
What terrified the jurors was the COM
plete change III his features as he pro-
ceeded. From an innocent. harmless ex-
preston at the beginning, they changed to
one of extreme cunning and ma
lightly. As he proceeded, deep
paleness appeared in his cheeks and brow.
Inc eye lbs Tell Dack 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 sup
posed that a man of 45 were taking The
words came from deep down in his chest
and IN fact the entire aspect of
ahe man was changed. He bent
forward in his chair, his shoulders
stopped, and his eyes became watery. 1t
was remarkable. The court gazed at the
phenomenon before him in establishment.
When the narrator reached that portion of
his recital where he spoke of killing. the
Jury gazed upon the face of man about
to commit murder.
THAT will do said the judge in a
husky voice.
Munser was startled at the command.
He looked up wildly and then fell back in
his chair half exhausted, with sigh.
Tears fell down his cheeks. The wrinkles
disappeared from his forehead the fiend-
ish expression left his face and a minute
more he was the young man Harry Nun
ser again with the innocent face.
The jury brought in verdict finding
him insane