Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-03
A VERY STRANGE CASE.
A Woman Who Has Been Uueonsciors
for Years-Takcs Her Food Unconscious
Iy.


ssseia. TsE4crd,n 10 nS Rsessts-
ASHLAND, KY, October 2.-The over
abundance of tales of long sleeping has
become so pronounced Of late that all
accounts of such character are taken 81
a glance as the production OF the vivid
imagination OF some not over scrupu-
lous reporter; but story comes from
the far Big Sandy valley that has had
but few equals, and certainly none with
stranger features in this peculiar line.
The scene of the case being so FAR re-
moved from energetic journalists, the
matter has never heretofore been given
public attention.
The principal features in the case are
as follows: Ten years ago there lived In
Prestonburg, Johnson county, KY, q
family of half dozen souls. This was
]. K. Hewitt, wife, three children and
Miss Susan Friend, sister OF Mrs.
Hewitt. Miss Friend was a strong,
healthy woman Of tfty-three years,
with apparently long lease on lie.
She had never married, having been
early in life disappointed in love
affair, and had ever since looked on
men rather as mere perquisites than as
absolute necessities.
At this advanced age she was as
lively as a cricket, and one OF the
greatest iavorites in all that section.
One day In the winter Of 'S3|S4 she
slipped while carrying a bucket OF wa
ter from a spring near at hand, and In
falling lit upon the stump OF small
sapling that had been cut down beside
the path. The effects Of the fall at the
time were not unusually severe, and she
gave the occurrence but little thought.
AS the days rolled on, though there was
decided change noticeable In her splr-
its and condition. She was morose and
silent, and her health gave evidence OF
decay. In year she was changed wo-
man to such an extent that old ac-
ouaintances failed TO recognize ber at
first sight. The affection grew more
pronounced, and she finally lost the use
of her lower limbs. Physicians who az
tended her claimed she was suffering
from some battling womb trouble, occa-
stoned by the fall. Finally she assumed
the cross-legged position Of a Turk, al
ways Slttlng on bne uoOI'
Following this came a drowsiness
that was not TO be shaken oil and which
grew In intensity TIL she became prac-
tically dead to all that was about her
and could not be nroused at all. She
was then placed In bed, and In that con-
dition has remained ever since. Once,
when sister died, she was partially
aroused, but gave no indication OF an
understanding of anything said or
recognition OF aught that was about
| her.
For more than seven years she has
never spoken word, and during that
time has given no sign OF recognizing
anyone nor being cogniZant OF the fact
that such things as home, family and
! friends existed. Her sister has consist
emily attended her, feeding her such
soft food and liquids as she could swal
low, and which were calculated TO dc
her the most good. BY the motion oi
her lips or Jaws had IL ever been ap'
parent that she for an instant realized
that she was being fed. The food Is
put into her mouth with a spoon, and
after little while, how none seems to
know, she swallows 1t. This operation
usually takes from an hour to an hour
and a half (of feeding).
ANY OF the family can feed her, and
first one and then another assumes the
responsibility. Her hair, which ha'
been a coal black, has become snow
white, and her skin the color and gen
eral appearance OF parchment The
eyes are sunken and the body mere
skeleton. In the condition she has
clung to life with remarkable tenacl
ty. and a: last accounts was still hold
ing on without apparent change.
The case has been widely known for
wears throughout all the section. but
| Till now has not, to our knowledge, ol
that OF her people, been given outside
mention. All OF the physicians OF the
mountains OF that vicinity have pro
nounced the case hopeless, though
several first attempted TO work some
change with the patient without effect
1t has been the greatest wonder oi
that couatry since 1t first came into no
tice aud the progress OF The years ac
been watched with great interest
Her brother, Hon. r. s. Friend. late
United States Commissioner, bad atone
time all arrangements made for her re
moval TO Cincinnati for special treat
ment, but the other members OF Tho
family were not pleased with the idea
aud II was given up, not to be revived
1t is beyond doubt the most wonderful
case Of its kind that has ever come "
in this section. Such men as Hon. L
V. Fitzpatrick, John Lane, John Johns
Judge j. y. Patton and others tot
numerous to mention can be named a.
thoroughly familiar with the case from
the very start and can youch for IL
| reliability,