The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-31

There Is no name in this section of the
that is better known to the public than that
Of MFR. Monroe Peterson. He is situated in
nice, comfortable home. with good farm,
about four miles west Of johnson City, H.,
lie is now 6fty-eght years old, in healthy
"--A55tion, and weighs one hundred and ninety
pounds. Not Smore upright and honorable
citizen does our nation afford. and he is
looked upon with wonder. because of his
healthy condition after so long a period OF
misery and suffering.
The cause of Mr.. Petersons long suffering
was hurt which he received in fall, while
running drill IN 1861. being soldier at
the time. He has been crippled IN his right
leg ever since that date. Sciatic rheumatism
then set in, and his leg began to slowly
wither away and draw up in the joint. and
now IL is about two inches shorter than the
other. 1t began to grow worse and. finally.
his whole body began to shake Ikea person
with the st. Vitus' dance. His first severe
attack was about six years ago.
There is no disease in the power Of human
endurance more awful in its pains and
Affections than sciatic rheumatism. Some.
times its pain may be slow, steady one,
while, at other times, it comes with jerks
and wrenches that seem to twist the body
out of all shape Of recognition. II seems 10
contract the muscles, drawing the body al.
most in a knot. While this is probably the
worst stage of sciatic rheumatism, 1t is some.
times found in milder forms. SO ID was
with Mr.. Peterson, but with it was associ-
ated q feeling and condition almost as nm
comfortable and unbearable. The body was
In a continual shake, rendering ii impossible
for him TO do anything. He had lost all
control Of his muscles. On application to a
physician for relief, he was told that the
affection might last him all his life, or, on
the other hand, it might leave him entirely
at an unexpected moment.
For over three years he was not able to
write word, so severe was his shaking. He
could not even sign his vouchers thereby
having 10 make his mark and witness it, At
this time he could not walk step without
aid, nor even sit down in a chair without
assistance So severe was the shaking Of
his head that II almost caused him 10 70
blind. He could not distinguish person a
rods distance in front Of him. He came
very nearly losing his mind and his friends
thought, as last resort, that he would have
TO be taken TO q hospital. When he was
taken to town for examination by physi-
clan, he had 10 be examined in the buggy,
so difficult was II for him to get out. Ofens
times it would seem that life was nearly ex-
tinct, and his feet and hands would have 10
be bathed In warm water and rubbed in
order to restore the circulation. For two
years he was not able 10 feed himself at the
table. His ever faithful and dut;fiil wife put
the food to his mouth. Alright he would take
smothering spells and would have TO be
lifted up in bed that he might regain his
breath and strength. At this critical period
he was not able TO put on his clothes, not
able to do anything but sit and suffer his
miserable life away.
One phi ysician gave as his decision Of the
case. that his leg would have TO be placed In