Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-22
A SLEEPING BEAUTY.
The Remarkable Case OF Young Woman
| of Illinois.
81 Louis Republic

One OF the strangeSt and most inter-
eSting cases to the medical profession,
as well as to the people, is that OF Miss
Grace Gridley, a pretty young
lady OF Amboy, Ill. Her singular case
has called the attention of the medical
profession far and wide, and they have
thus far been unable to solve the mys-
terry. Your correspondent called at the
home of the parents at Amboy, and was
met at the door by Mrs. Gridley, a
motherly woman, who, when told the
errand, said
1t is very embarrassing for us, and We
have felt delicate in saying anything TO
strangers about our dear Grace. There
is hardly a mail that does not bring let
tiers of advice and inquiries from doc
tors and strangers from all over the
country. We have asked the local pa
perS TO respect us in Our sad bereave-
ment and say nothing about the matter,
and they have respected our request,
but. as YOU say, there have been reports
| in other papers, and don't know but that
| il would be best 10 have something like
the facts appear, though my husband or
myself do not like the attention OF orr
/ friends called 10 our sad trial. Grace
had severe case of la grippe along in
February, from which we supposed she
had fully recovered, but in March she
had a relapse, which left her languid.
She was always bright, active child of
| a nervous temperament. She Is now
over 20 years OF age. We first noticed
that, contrary to her usual custom, she
wanted TO lie in bed in the morning,
which gradually grew upon her until on
the LIST OF April we were unable TO arouse
| her.
Medical assistance was called in,
and not until Il strong current OF cleo
tricity had been applied did she wake.
She remained awake for two days, and
on the third we again had to resort to
electricity, She woke with Il scream
and said: Don't do that, it hurts me so.
Mamma. | don't want TO wake;
| am so comfortable. | understand and
know everything that is going on around
me. and she sank back in that dreadful
| lethargy you find her in to-day. Yes, she
got out of bed once. 1t was several days
after the second application Of the bat
terry, and We found her in the front
parlor-her room is up-StairS-by the
window with an open Bible on her lap.
She turned the leaves reStlessly, but
did not seem TO read. l am sure she
did not know what she was doing, and
She did not seem to recognize me when
/ led her back TO her room. She seems
conscious at times, and to this day
seems to notice the presence of Stran'
ger in the room, as the presence OF any
but the family seems to distress her"
When asked if it had not been report
ed that the strange Illness had been
brought on by religious excitement Al
a revival. Mrs. Gridley said: There
has been such report, but there is ne
truth in it, though Grace is an ardent
Christian aud a member OF the Church
She has not attended any reviyaiS Tor :
year, and was never unduly excited
over religion.
Miss Gridley is slowly wasting away
though she is given liquid food abou
every three hours, and swallows natur
ally. At times she seems to be awake
opening her eyes about quarter OF thu
way. She turns herself in the bed, ant
seems to have control of her limbs.
when she had opened her eyes" salt
, Mrs. Gridley, ''we have earnestly asked
even implored, Grace to make some sign
a movemnnt of hand or eye, or TO d.
something to show that she recognized
Us, but she makes no sign. We can
: understand it,"