The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-08-08
A DOuhla Life

CHICAGO, July PA most peculiar
case of insanity for psychical study was
Henry Munser which came before Judge
Gary this morning According to the
evidence it would appear that the
strange cases Of DIR. Jekyl and Mr.
Hyde and the stranger case of Archi
bald Malmasson. 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 fas-
cinating that the jurymen quailed and
sank back in their chairs, half afraid to
be 50 near one who could admit himself
to be the victim OF such physical and
Dsychical changes as the witness claimed
to have undergone Munser is about
twenty-seven years of age, and. never
having INDUCED in the general prac-
tees Of fast city young men, his features
bore a decidedly innocent, but intelli-
gent expression as he entered the wit
ness box. The soft black hair curled as
an actors about his broad, business-like
forehead. For four years he had acte d
as entry clerk for Edison Keith, and
his manipulation of figures was cdnsid-
cred something wonderful. He had been
subject to gloomy spells at periods about
two years apart, during 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
II feel something approaching heav-
ily." said the witness, ''but | can take
care of myself here" Beads of perspi-
ration stood ON his brow, but he dis
played no nervousness. 1.-The queer
sickness came on me again about year
ago. said he, land this time | became
much alarmed at the developments.
seemed to be approaching state alto
gether different from the natural one.
An ague-l like feeling crept over me, be-
ginning first in my brain. | was then
living at my fathers house on West
Lake street. My mind did not seem to
be growing weaker but it seemed to be
altering it's functions materially. Pres
entity the sight of a tool or anything
with a blade would start ever fiber or
nerve in me to tingling, and | became
afraid of myself-afraid for my friends.
felt an impulse growing upon me to
harm or KILL | knew what | was about.
| recognized the faces of my friends |
had q cool control of mental faculties.
was not out of my head in the least, but
there was a desire which seemed to be
muscular as well as mental, and wholly
apart from my natural volition. My father
saw only the outside of this, and dared
not explain to him the complete revolu-
ton in my being He sent me to Lake
Geneva to be treated in private instl-
tuition there, and now for seven months
Z have been there under the constant
care of several experienced physicians.
They have 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 sys-
TEN and served to augment this fearful
DEVELOPMENT rather than cure it. We
consulted and thought a change would
be good for me. [ now insist that l be
placed somewhere so | may be watched
and treated differently. The week |
have been here since | left Geneva |
VII not go there. | believe that some
~ .bo for l,A "a a
place Immediately should | go back
This mania would unman me and force
ne to do that which have been battling
against | would kill them. | might
kill myself and yet | would know what
| was about
The story itself was not so very differ
ent from what one might expect to hear
from man who felt himself becoming
insane. What terrified the jurors was
the complete change in his features as
he proceeded. From an innocent, harm
less expression at the beginning, they
changed to one of extreme cunning and
nalignity. AS he proceeded deep lines
appeared in his cheeks beside his nose.
ne eyebrows lei udIh dIlC Tile COIIlSIS
of the mouth drew down. His forehead
wrinkled as an old mans, and his voice
actually changed SO that a listener might
have supposed that a man OF forty-five
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 should
ers stopped, and his eyes became watery.
1t was remarkable. The Court gaZed at
the phenomenon before him in astonish-
ment 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, then fell back in
his chair, half exhausted, with sigh.
Tears fell down his cheek. The wrin-
l<Ies disappeared from his forehead, the
fiendish expression left his face, and in
a minute more he was the young man,
Harry Munser, again with the innocent
face.
The jury brought in a verdict finding
him insane.
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