The Yellowstone journal., 1894-11-14
LAPSES OF IDENTITY.
peoPLE WHO STRANGELY DISAPPEAR
FOR LONG PERIODS.


aerings-Cases of a Tinsmith and a Law
ysr Related by DIR. Osborne.
A paper entitled People Who Drop
Dot of Sight" by Dr. A. y Osborne,
superintendent of home for children
aS Glen Ellen, Cal, was read at a re-
sent meeting OF the Medico-Legal So
oiety at the Academy of Medicine, New |
York After speaking of mysterious dis
appearances in general aud the nsnal
stability TO account for them the paper
gsve several instances which the author /
says happened to persons and under cir
oumstances well known to him.
The first case was that of man OF
middle age, ''in rugged health and free
ffom any inherited neuropathic taint "
He was q plumber bv trade and lived
IN q town near Philadelphia. He was
prosperous and was neither overworked
nor the victim of business troubles. His
family life was harmonious, and he had
10 bad habits. The Sunday on which he
disappeared he had been in the house all
day, reading and playing with his chill.
fren. About O'Clock he got up from
the lounge ON which he lay, changed his
house Jacket for an ordinary business
coat and told his wife he was going out
for short walk. He stepped into the
stFeet and suddenly disappeared, as If
ase had vanished into air
Although conspicuous figure in the
town, and although the streets were
crowded, he was seen by nobody. His
'absenee continuing, the next day an ex-
haustive search was made for him. But
nothing could be learned. There was
absolutely 10 trace of him, either in the
Gown or in the surrounding country. In
due course the business was disposed of
'nd the family moved to Chicago, Civ
ing up all hope of finding clew to the
mans disappearanc
One day Two years later a number of
0en We're working at their trade in a
1Anshop in one of the far southern states.
Suddenly one of them dropped his work
end clasped his hands to his head.
my Godr' he cried, looking about
Aazedly, where am |? How did ! get
mere: This ism I my shop! Where am l:
What does it mean?'
-, His companions were at first disposed
- laugh, but when they saw the man 5
changed expression, the beads of sweat
su his brow and his nervous twitchings
4they knew he was not drank, but under
<he influence of some great emotion.
They spoke to him, but he insisted that
She name they called him by was not
his. At last he made his way to the boss
Of the shop and tried to explain about
Ais family and his business in the north.
'The boss was incredulous. He knew the
man as a wandering tinsmith who had
hrifted into the town seeking work al
his trade and whom he had employed.
He had proved to be trustworthy and
skilled workman, and no further inqui'
~ had been made
= Under a fictitious name, Dr. Os
borne says in his paper, 1.-THE man hao
been known to his companions and hac
been paid. He remembered nothing o.
the past during his period of employ
ment, but at last dim recollection hat
come to him of that fateful Sunday-hi
-Yising to go out, his promise to return
'soon-and then all was blank. III
had no money, although he had worke'
steadily in his shop and had receives
of him he was at Chicago, living hi
inormal life Somewhat mystified owe
ihis realization of the strange freak IL
which he figured, although feeling wei
and apparently in mental balance, b.
Realizes that he has been the central fig
are in some eoverstrange mental phenom
enon quite mysterious enough to max
him at times doubt his sanity"
Dr. Osborne's second case he speak
sf thus: "A similar case occurred to
resident of another town near Philadel
phia. This man, whom We shall desig
nate as X, was a lawyer, a prominen
politician-a former member Of con
kress, | believe-a man of fine orator
ical powers and of brilliant attainments
Zone day he got up from his desk
seaving his lawbooks open at the page
ne had been consulting, and steppe'
outside for few moments. He disap
peared. In due course vigorous searcl
was instituted, reservoirs and stream
swere dragged for his body on the pre-
sumption that he had committed sui
side and, in short. all the means tina
money and influence would put int
operation were employed, but in vain
Not the slightest clew was obtained
His domestic affairs were well know
20 be most happy. He was abstemiou
N his habits and more devoted to hi
sUrofession than to society. The hue ar
'sery of premeditated flight was dispelie
by the disordered state of his unlocke
desk, over which were scattered paper
and a mass of unfinished work. His &C
counts were all right, and among hi
papers were found uncashed check
amounting to several thousand dollars
: "After several months had passe
sword came through official channel
chat x. was in Australia and had az
piled to representative Of our govern
sment there to establish his identity an
sDroCure means for his transportatio
home. It was some time before his fam
my were fully satisfied OF his existenc