The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-08
HIS MIND A BLANK.
A Young Man Loses knowledge Of His
Family and Sweetheart.

TOLEDO, O., Oct. William e. Hig-
gins was born and reared in Sandusky, o..
and is now about twenty-five years of age.
Last August, a year ago. he went to Elyria
to work on electric lines. One day a fell
low-workman let celluloid insulator drop
on his head, inficting a small wound. which
was quickly dressed and thought no more
of for a time. Two three days later his
head began to pain him and he became
worse, until obliged to take train home,
where he lay in delirium for nearly
month. When he recovered he went back
to Elyria to resume work, but in a week or
two it was noticed that he acted strangely.
and one Saturday evening he told his land
lady that he was going home to spend Sun
day. He left the house and for months was
not heard of. His open valise, with a GER
titled check for s12O, lying on the top of his
clothing, were found in his room at Elyria-
A systematic search was inaugurated. but
for months no trace could be obtained.
One day a young lineman in Youngstown
dropped a remark to friend of the Hig-
gins family to the effect that he knew
young linenan in st. Louis who called him
anything about himself or his family, and
only knew that he had been at work in st.
LOUIS seyefai ontns put eoe n not TeGa d
to the father, who at once went to st. Louis
and laid the matter before Chief Harrigan
in all its singular details. His father found
him, but he could not recognize his parent
The two went to Chief Harrigan together
for consultation. ''Will you go with him
TO Sandusky and see whether ne is telling
the truth or not? asked Chief Harrigan,
after the father had exhausted every effort
at hand to recall the young mans men,
ory
Eyes, sir, / wir," said young Higgins
HE says have a Gray-haired old mother
there who mourns me for dead: j want to
see her. and his eyes filled with tears.
IL don't know who am. and Il this man
put me right as to my identity. he will
do me the greatest service any human being
could do
The father and son boarded g. train for
Sandusky, and on the trip home the father
endeavored to recall some incident that
would be recognized or remembered by the
son, but absolutely without success. Upon
his arrival at Sandusky large number
of relatives and acquaintance greeted him
Familiarity. but he recognized no one. His
him, but Le remarked Excuse me- but I
don't know you. His old mother came
up to him as he was taken to the old home,
ard exclaimed: Don't you know me, my
boy?" and the tears streamed down her
cheeks. II do not = said he; Il cannot re-
member of ever having seen any of you
before
It was an awful trial. but the young man
was un1ueStionably honest in his state
ments. He has been taken out by relatives
and friends, and every conceivable effort
made to recall his lost memory OF things
response in his. memory. His affanced
bride overjoyed to see him but he
could not recall ever having seen her. Aft
er remaining with his people several days
he returned to his work in ST. Louis and
writes that he is in excellent health but
can remember no one he ever knew except
his associates with whom he has worked
in st. Louis.