Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-26
SILENT FOR FIFTY YEARS.
Miss GuiIford Wouldn't Talk Wheh
She Could, and Now She Can't.
philadelphia Inquirer =.

iBnlldUtlDDld
There is possibly no other women IN the
world like Miss Experience Gulliord' ol
Blue Hill, Me. 1t is proverpial that a.,
womans tongue never stops, put N nhS
Guilford's case Is an exception 10 .his
rule. and for half n century she mas neiu
her peace. Not a single word or audible
sound has this woman allowed 10 pass her
Inns for a period of nifty years.
The original reason for Miss Guiiford
speechlessness was anger, because she
could not marry the man OF ner SnV ,S,..
When she was 10 years old she fell in love
with William Simpson. the village scnool-
master They were TO be married OH
June rs. 1871. One Of Miss Guilfords re-
iected suitors told tales about the school-
master. and Miss Guilford's parents stop
ned the wedding Miss Guilford thereupon
said: II swear / will not speak Woru,
though | live for fifty years, unless
marry this man.
She kept her pledge. Her parents dled,
and she went to live with her married
brother. When he died she made her
home with a sister, and after the sister
death she went to camp IN the WVous
and kent house for brother. with whom
she Is now living. All this time she per
formed her share I'm the household WIZ,
and did not show any regret Tor ha'ihs
made the VOW.
When the fifty years OF silence expired,
n short time ago. she was visited py a
large number of relatives ana Itlelus'
being present, when she was at liberty 10
sneak Soon after the midday meal MISS
Guilford dressed herself in the garments
which she had not worn for mar CEN
fury. At 2 o'clock she STOOD before '.e ~
people. smiled and opened her month TO
speak. but though she tried hard ana got
red i'm the face trying she could not utter
a sound. Her vocal muscles had become
atrophied from long disuse and refused
when Miss Guilford found that. she
could not talk she sent to Bangor Tor
physician, and took TO her bed. Inc DOC
tor gave no hope OF recovery or speech
hut suggested that she be sent 10
Boston hospital for treatment AS soon
as Miss Guilford gets strong enough 10
take the tourney she will make another
effort TO regain her speech. Her father
left her a good sum OF money az his
death which has been growing every year
In a savings bank, so that she ~ Wen
able to obtain the treatment she requires
Although Miss Guilford never could be
induced to talk. she did not avoid society
and always attended the village dances
and parties. She would join in the gene
raj merriment, and was never sensitive
over any illusions made concerning her
strange VOW None Of the young men or
her question, and when her company
was desired in a dance by any young
man he would simply walk up 10 her and
lead her on the floor, and she was always
"a
The only time she has been known 10
show any Indignation about her peculiart-
Nv happened about a year ago. when
formal invitation was sent TO her 10 par
ticipate i'm the proceedings OF the village
debating society. After this Miss Gullford
secluded herself for over a month. but
after that she was again seen in social
circles.
when Miss Guilford's mother was
diving there was great excitement In the
f.1f haf hlF.
the mother died the daughter would
speak. but they were disappointed. The
end came. the daughters grief was deep,
but It was silent.
There were cases Ike this In institu-
tions for the insane. Pretended deafness
Is common. A refusal 10 speak Is unusual.
A celebrated case is that OF Rose Barneat
and her husband, Ralph. who lived In
Terre Haute. They were loving couple.
Both disagreed. over a tribe one night.
when you come TO me with an apology
shall speak 10 you" she said. when
come to you with an apology you Will
be older than you are now. said he.
These people lived together for thirty
| wears. They never interchanged a word
| directly Communications that they In
| tended for each other We're sent through
an intermediary. A guest at dinner was
| likely TO hear something like this. That
| was what Martha was saying 10 my son
| the other day. and | told him that she
should 20 right ahead. and do as she hac
| figured out. but she told my daughter
| that IL would cost SIS. SO / gave my son
| a check for the amount. and she Is sat
| isfied now. Isn't she. my SOM"
| stiles Phelps. and Armstrong. clos
| dancers. celebrated in their day, travelled
together for twenty years, during nfteen
| OF which Stiles and Armstrong never ex-
| changed a word. Phelps was the recipient
| OF all necessary communications between
| the two. and his life was made miserable