The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-08-13
A PECULIAR CASE.
An Illustration of the JekyI-Hyde Phe-
nOmena In a Chicago Court.

An Illustration of the JekyI-Hyde Phe
nomena In a Chicago Court.
Chicago special: A most peculiar case
of insanity for physical study was that OF
Harry Munzer, which came before Judge
Gary this morning. According 10 the evf
denee it would appear that the strange
case of DIR. JekyIl and Mr.. Hyde and the
stranger case OF Archibald Malmaison,
which have created much excitement in
circles OF fiction, are not altogether impos-
sibilities. The story which Harry Mupzer,
sane. told of Harry Munzer, insane, was so
fascinating that even the jurymen qualled
and skunk back in their chairs, half afraid
T. be so near one who could admit himself
10 be the victim of such physical psychical
changes as the witness claimed to have un-
dergOne.
Munzer is about q years of age and of
lrreprOAchRble morals. according to the
story OF his former employers and all his
friends For four years he was an expert
accountant in the employ OF one of the
largest dry goods houses in the city In
the witness box to-day he told how he had
been subject TO gloomy spells at periods OF
about two years apart, during which he
would become recluse for weeks at a
time.
MY queer sickness came on me about a
year ago" said he, "and this time l he
came much alarmed at the developments.
L seemed 20 be approaching a state alto
getheT different from my natural one. NY
mind did not seem 70 be growing weaker,
but Il seemed 70 be altering its functions
materially. Presently the sight OF a tool
or anything with blade would start every
more and nerve IN me to tingling and / be-
came afraid Of myseli-afraid for my
friends. / felt on impulse growing upon
me TO harm or kill. l knew what ! was
abOuts recognized the faces Of my friends:
/ had a cool control of my mental faculties:
IL was not out OF my head in the least, but
there was desire which seemed to be
muscular as we'll rs mental and wholly
apart from my natural VOlitions
MY father saw only the outside Of this
and l dared not explain to HIM the COM
plete revolution ia my being. he sent me
70 Lake Geneva TO be treated in a private
institution there, and now for seven
months have been there under the con
stant care OF experienced physicians. They
have been unable TO assist me. / grew
worse. l knew IL and realized and dreaded
the change.
81 now insist that 1 be placed some
where, so l may be watched and treat d
differently During the week 1 have been
here since | left Geneva / have not been
home. / will not go there. / believe that
some rapid change for the worse would
take place Immediately should | 20 hack.
This mania would unman me and force me
against. / would kill him 1 might kill
myself, and yet L wouldn't know what /
was about"
The story itself was not so very different
from what one might expect 70 hear from a
man who felt himself becoming insane.
What terrified the jurors was the complete
change IN bis features as he proceeded
From an innocent harmless expression at
the beginning they changed to one of cum
ming and maliRnity as be proceeded. Deep
lines appeared in his cheeks beside his
nose. His eyebrows fell down and the
corners Of his mouth drew down. His
forehead wrinkled up as an old mans and
bis voice actually changed so that q listener
might have supposed that a man Of as
years was talking. The words came from
deep down in his chest and. in fact, the
entire aspect of the man Was changed. He
bent forward ia his chair. His shoulders
stopped and his eyes became watery. IL
was remarkable.
The court gszed at the phenomenon be-
fore him in astoniShmenG When the mar
rstor reached that portion OF his recitEl
where be spoke OF killing, the jury gszed
upon the face of a man about to commit
murder.
s'That will do said the Judge in husky
voice. Munzer was startled at the com
mand. lie looked up wildly, then fell
back in his chair, half exhausted, with q
sigh. Tears fell down bis cheeks, the
wrinkles disappeared from his forehead.
the 6endish expression left his face, and in
a minute more he was the young man
Harry MUBzeT again with an innocent
face. He will be taken to Kankzkee for
treatment.