The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-22
The Peculiar AfflictiOn of
Morris Gedney.
AT Hospital With Memory and
Power of Speech Gone.
Probably the Result Of Alcoholic
Paralysis Natural Gas.

There have been cases about these plan
tations in which mon have disappeared
from their homes and have turned up at
distant points with the story that they
had been afflicted with sudden and COM
plete loss OF memory. Some of these cases
have been genuine, others have not. There
is now under treatment In Bellevue Hos
pital, New York. "a man who has been
stricken I'm a similar way, though his case
presents many points Of difference from
those of the average individual who claims
20 have been beroft of memory. Morris
Gedney Is his name, and his identity was
discovered through the publication Of =
fac smile OF his writing, or 10 be nearer
the work of his attempt at writing Ged-
new, Is a son OF the late Charles Gedney,
who, with his brother, William H., start.
ing In business as carpenter and builder
in this city years ago, bec;.ne an extensive
real estate owner, and::on his death few
gears ago left valuable property. Tho old
carpenter shop was AZ broadway and
Fortieth street. tho site of hotel long
known as the Gedney House and this
property is part of the family estate, as is
tho manufacturing building occupied by
several concerns at No. Pa West Forty
seventh street.
Morris Gedney with his brother Charles
"
Morris has been what is called rolling
stone. He went To sea when young and
made several voyages on whalers until
ten years ago, when he chose "a land life
His brother Charles is the engineer in
the building owned by the estate in West
Forty-seventh street, and there Morris
found employment, sometimes with the
wood working concerns which occupy the
several floors, again assisting his brother
IN the engine room. There no has since
remained, earning wages and getting
money from the property, harmless and
good natured, all his fellow workmen
say, but too fond of liquor, which. owing
tn his Affections had sorry effect upon
him and often took him 10 hospitals in
ebriate asylums, and even to insane
asylums
Liquor, 1t is said, has brought on in
ternitant attacks of partial paralysis of
the brain and muscles for several years,
which have been more severe since he was
struck on the head three years ago, when
he received the wound which was found
on his head in Bellevue. This was re-
ceived in the West Forty seventh street
building in fight with an employc in
the place, who dealt him terrific blow
with a bar Of iron or hatchet. 1t was
long thought the wound would prove
fatal. Tho assaiiant fled, and New York
city has known him no more.
Whenever Gedney drank after receiving
that injury strange misfortuncs overlook
him. On ope occasion he was found IN
the street apparently insane and taken TO
bellevue. whence no was transferred TO the
wards Island Asylum. Treatment for n
few weeks there restored his mind and he
was released. Again be was committed to
an inebriate asylum in New Jersey and
about year ago he was in Bellevue un.
der treatment for muscular paralysis, at
that time having lost control of his right
arm.
Although he laughed and made various
negative signs when questioned Tuesday
about wife. he WAS married several
years ago to the daughter of "a wealthy
Eighth avenue baker, woman sai IL
have been conspicuous for her beauty.
They did not live long together and
have never been reunited.
There Is some slight Improvement I'm
mis- condition, but he cannot speak ana