The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-31
WAS IT ALL A DREAM?
The Peculiar Story Told by DR.. W. n. Re?-
nolds.
From the Manning Times.

From the Manning Times.l
Our readers remember short notice
IN the Times, some weeks ago, where
the sudden and unaccountabie disap-
pearance OF DR.. w. II. Reynolds Was
noted; and week or two later another
notice that DR.. Reynolds had returned.
We were unable until last Saturday to
set q correct account Of the affair, and
as DR.. Reynolds is widely known
throughout the county, We publish it
so that his friends may have correct
version Of the affair.
DR.. Reynolds for several weeks had
been drinking very hard, until it finally
affected his brain. On Saturday night,
December Is, while laboring under thi9
! mental alteration, he left his ho!Ge, not
conscious Of what he was doing. He
has no recollection Of when he left
home, or how or when be got to rail-
road station, nor could any Of his falni-
~, by the most diligent search, find
out where he had taken the train. Ali
this is yet wrapped in mystery. He has
no recollection of how much money he
had with him when he left, but it is
thought he had about seventy-five or a
hundred dollars. When first he came
to himself he was ia the city of Nash
vile, Tenn. From this place he wrote
letter to his family, which was duly
received. He here became acquainted
with some gentleman, influential in
large Northwestern railroad syndicate,
who kindly presented him a free pass
over most of the Northwestern rail-
roads. When he left Nashville be does
not remember, but in this same state of
mind visited Cincinnati, st. Paul, st.
Louis and other Western cities.
is INJURED IN CINCINNATI.
At Cincinnati he got a severe fall
which resulted in conclusion of the
spine. He thinks there was a heavy
sleet at the time, and that in getting
off the train he slipped, and fell on a
stone. At st. Louis he was enabled
once again to regain his normal state
of mind, probably owing to the severe
pain he was suffering; or probably be-
cause nature would no longer submit
to such terrible ordeal. He had fire.
quently, in his wild career, written to
his family. the letters being duly re-
ceived and answered, but the answers
never reached him, as he did not wait
for reply: At st. Louis he met kind
friends among strangers, who took him
III charge, furnished him with money,
put him on a Pullman palace car, and
started him homeward, where be safely
arrived about two weeks ago, having
been absent about three weeks. His
family and friends were delighted to
welcome him again, and DR.. Reynolds
himself was probably the most rejoiced
OF all to be again safely restored to his
loved ones after so perilous and re-
markable trip. His suffering is Sc
we're, but it is hoped he will soon be
we'll again, coming and going among
us.
NO FAMILY OR FINANCIAL TROUBLE.
After his sudden leaving the widest
and vaguest rumors were repeated for
facts, and 1t would take the entire six
page edition of the Times to hold the
half of them. Suficeth forit to be said,
and on the best Of authority, that ex-
cessive drinking was the sole cause of
his going. Any rumors as to financial
embarrassment, or as to unpleasant So
cial aud family troubles, are denied by
those who know best. DR.. Reynolds,
his wife and children form, we are re-
liably told, most loving and affection
ate family, with not the shadow of a
skeleton lurking in any secret closet.
DO such temporary mental aberra-
tions occur often? Yes. Whiskey is the
greatest curse on the face Of the globe,
and is the fountain head of three
fourths Of all sin: ruin, misery, damna-
ton. A few months ago We met in
Laurens o gentleman who had just re-
turned from California. He related to
US his experience, which was so sim
liar to DR.. Reynolds that they al
most coincide. He had been drinking
a long time, left suddenly, and came to
himself as he was crossing the Mississ-
ippi River, at st. Louis. With such
cases whiskey generally has little effect
on the muscular or nervous system,
but affects the brain. Such men may
be, to use all uncouth expression, fool
drunk, even crazy drunk, and yet walk
perfectly straight, without the slightest
swagger. Unless one is we'll acquaint
ed with such a person, it is difficult tc
tell when he is drunk. DR.. Reynolds i:
thus constituted.
CALHOUN'S PREDICTION.