Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-08-20
Strange Scene in Court.
Harry 3funser's Singular Transfer
nation in Voice and Manner
While IN the Witness Bos.

IPItite IN the Witness Boa.
CHICAGO, July 26.-A most peculiar
case of insanity for psychical study
was that of Henry Munser, which
came before Judge Gary this morn
ing. According to the evidence, il
would appear that the strange case of
DR.. Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde, and the
stranger case of Archibald Malma,
\ which have created much comment in
circles of fiction, are not altogether
physical impossibilities. The story
which Harry Munser, sane, told of
Harry Munser, insane, was so fasci-
mating that the jurymen quailed and
skunk back in their chairs, half-afraid
to be so near one who could admitting
self to be the victim of such psychical
changes as the witness claimed to
have undergone. Munser is about
twenty-seven years of age, and never
having INDUCED in the general prac-
tices of fast city young men, his fea-
lures bore decidedly innocent but
| intelligent expression as lie entered
the witness-box. The soft black hair
curled as an actors about his broad,
business-like forehead. For four
years he, had acted as entry clerk for
Edison Keith, and his manipulation
of figures was considered something
wonderful. He had been subject to
gloomy spells at periods about two
years apart, during which he would
! become recluse for weeks at time.
He spoke of these.
''Just tell us about the last one"
said the court, to the minor details
given above.
Il feel something approaching me
heavily said the witness, ''but l
can take care of myself here" Beads
of Precipitation stood on his brow, but
he displayed no nervousness.
"The queer sickness came on me
again about year ago" said he, and
this time l became much alarmed at
the developments. seemed to be
approaching a state altogether differ
ent 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 grow
ing weaker, but il seemed to be alter
ing its functions materially. Pres
emily the sight of tool, or anything
with blade, woulp start every fiber
and nerve in me to tingle, and 1 be-
came afraid of myself--afraid of my
friends. felt an impulse growing
on me to harm or kill. l knew what
l was about. / recognized the faces
of my friends. had cool control
of my mental facilities. / was not
tout of my head in the least, but there
cdlar as well as mental, and wholly
apart from my volition. My father
only saw the outside of this, and
dared not explain to him the complete
revolution in my being. He sent me
to Lake Geneva to be treated in pri'
vate institution there, and now for
seven months have been there un-
der the constant care of several expe-
rienced physicians. They have been
unable TO assist me. grew worse.
/ knew it and realized tue dread
change. Never have lost my senses.
The dactors gave me chloral, but
fear that has hurt my nervous sys-
TEN, and served to augment this fear
ful development rather than cure it.
We consulted and thought change
would be good for me. l now insist
that be placed somewhere so may
be watched and treated differently
The week / have been here since /
left Geneva have not been home.-
l will not go there. believe that
some rapid change for the worst
would take place Immediately should
1 go back. This mania would unman
! To 1n 4l,nf fstn I
have been battling against. I would
kill them. might kill myself, and
yet / would know what was about. "
The story itself was not so very diff
ferent from what one might expect TO
hear from man who felt himself be-
coming insane. What terrified the
jury was the complete change in his
features as he proceeded. From an
innocent, harmless expression at the
beginning, they changed to one of
extreme cunning and malignity. As
! he proceeded deep lines appeared in
his cheeks beside his nose. The eye
+ brows fell dark, and the corners of
r the mouth drew down. His forehead
: wrinkled up as an old mans, and his
voice actually changed so that lis
tener might have supposed that q
man of forty-fiye was talking. The
words came from deep down in his
chest, and, in fact, the entire aspect
r of the man was changed. He bent
forward in his chair, his shoulders
a stopped and his eyes became yatery,
:, II was remarkable. The court gazed
t at the phenomenon before him in
]. astonishment. When the narrator
E reached that portion of his recital
;. where he spoke of killing, the jury
II gazed upon the face of man about
!, to commit murder.
= ''That will do," said the judge in a
:. husky voice. Munser was startled at
4 the command. He looked up wildly,
+ then fell back in his chair half ex-
s hausted, with sigh. Tears fell down
n his cheeks. The wrinkles disappeared
n from his forehead, the fiendish ex-
S preston left his face, and in minute
It more he was the young man, Harry
BIuuser, again, with the innocent face.
! ! The jury brought in a verdict finding
n him insane