Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-12-19


T. CHERRY Hill" an
mex to the Charles
town, Mass, state prison, where for
nearly two weeks, in a perfectly rigid
and trance-like position he had baflled
all attempts Of doctors and prison Off
cials to bring him back to normal or
natural state.
"Corkey" had been shamming from
the moment he entered the institution,
and the warden and his officers knew 1t.
They understood the pretended trance
to be a ruse to get transferred to some
outside hospital for treatment, where
he might stand chance Of escaping,
Now "Corkey" admits that the whole
affair was bluff" and is thankful that
the agony through which he passed
during all those long nights and days,
with hardly any sleep and but very
little food or nourishment. Is at last
over and he can once more enjoy what
little comforts there are in store for
one Of his kind.
Almost as soon as he entered his cell
at the state prison, he Strengthened
himself out and went into feigned
trance. He Strengthened out his limbs
and his arms so that it was almost i'm
possible to pull them by force from
their rigid position.
Liquid food, milk and water were
forced down his mouth, so that he re-
ceived some nourlshment, to which Is
largely due, probably, the fact that he
survived.
Tests were made several times to see
If he would partake of the liquid food
and water after official surveillance had
been relaxed.
Sometimes he did partake of the food
but only trife, however, sufficient
to confirm the suspicion Of shamming.
Finally 1t was determined to take
heroic measures. 1t was possible for
man to remain in that state for years
and survive, according to the physicians.
DR., Mclaughlin, the prison physi-
clan, as a last test, applied a bottle Of
ammonia to the convlcts nose. He
kept 1t there several seconds without
q vince from the prisoner, until as the
doctor says, he was about to withdraw
1t, when Hanley threw his head clear
over on one side and tried to stifle a
sneeze. 1t was too much for him, and
hrnka forth loudIv
This, however, did not disturb him,
for he resumed Immediately his GUS
tomary rigid position, while the doctor,
who couldn't control his disabilities,
fairly shook with laughter at the audac-
ity of the man. The officers were at
once ordered to take Hanley out of bed,
and with his bed clothes wrapped well
around him he was placed in sitting
position on the floor with his back
against the wall. Here the doctor de-
termined he should remain until he de-
cided that the bed was more comfort
able.
The officers left him in his place on
the floor for the night, but careful
watch was kept on him by the man in
charge Of the wing. Not until early
next morning did move come from
his corner. He slid down upon the
floor and stretched full length so as to
make 1t appear that some Earring move
ment on the outside Of the building
caused his body to relax from the posi-
ton In which 1t was placed.
There he remained until afternoon,
when an officer who had been eau
tiously watching through peek-hole
In the oaken door of the cell saw him
slowly lift his head and look around.
Warden Bridges, who was passing
down the corridor, was called, and has
tily entering the cell grabbed Hanley
and admon!shed him to cease his bluff
fing, that he understood the trick and
by continuing was only bringing pun
ishment and suffering on himself.
Caught fair and square, "Corkey"
smiled weakly, and said in feeble tones
that he understood everything, but
maintained at first that he had been in
a trance. Later, when lifted to his
bed, as he was too weak to arise him
self, he acknowledged everything and
laughed and ioked about the great eff
fort it was at times to keep up the
hoax.
1t will be some time before "Corkey"
will be strong enough to get UP and
walk about, but when he does he will
probably be put to work braidlng rat
tan chairs.
F..e 80 49, D.