The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-24
THE TIMES RICHMOND. VA SATURDAY.

aid I'm his Identification. In an apparently
lucid interval the young man said that he
was Palph Emerson. Of IS Summit ave-
nue.. someryile n. J. Police Captain Nu-
gent telearaphed TO the authorities at
Someryille. but has not received any an
swer The man eats and sleeps well and
e. saeminglv not troubled with any all
ment EXCEPT his loss OF memory as TO his
identity. Some OF the newspapers yester-
dav afternoon said that u was the opIn-
ion OF the physicians that he was sham
ming. That made the man Very indignant
when he read Il and he declared that he
was not shamming.
Chief OF Police Murphy suspected that
he might be "a representative OF one OF
the yellow journals assigned 10 get up a
story OF how a man in his apparent con-
di,ion was treated in Jersey City, ana
questioned him about II. The man shook
his head and said he was not.
Il warn YOU" said the Chief. that
II YOU are you had better get right out
Of here. We have enough 20 DO TO take
care of our sick and injured without be-
Ing bothered by fakirs.'
The man persisted that he was not fax
ing. He IS about p years Old with an
inciplent mustache. light complexion.
IS : feet 10 inches tall and we1rs a dark
sack coat. a polka-dOt waistcoat. dark
trougers tan shoes. and a black Fedora
hat. The contents Of his pocket were a
pocket comb. n handkerchief. a package
Of cigarette paper and n self-closing rub
her tobacco pouch Chief Murphy had
him brought 20 Police Headquarters yes
terdav and tried 20 revive his memory.
but without success
At the Chiefs dictation the man wrote
this letter IN a firm, iesible and business
like hand:
Jersey City Dec. IS. 1898.
MY Dear Slr.-I am In hospital IN Jer-
sew City. Am afflicted with n peculiar
nalady that causes me 90 forget my
name or where ! live. ! am awfully anx-
ious 10 get home. but, unfortunately.
cannot aid the police In finding my fam
ilv or friends Yours very truly --"
'Now." said Chief Murphy. Sign your
name and address that 10 some friend"
ct can't" replied the young man. II
can't remember my name or the name OF
any friend"
Tho man took out his cigarette paper
and tobacco and rolled cigarette. Chief
Murphy handed him n match. saying:
Light your cigarette and we will make
another trial You surrey must have
mother somewhere who is anxious about
you Now suppose You write her let
ter" Tho young man pulled his chair
over TO the desk and without any die
tation or suggestion wrote this:
Dearest Mother. l am in Jersey City
al the hospital. and something has hap
pened. I don't know what. that has taken
away my memory. So I am just writing
this 10 see II the mere act 81 addressing
one who Is all the world TO me will bring
back my recollection. Oh. mother, think
of me with the force Of your mother love.
Aid me in this horrible ordeal Your low
ing SON.
Then he stopped and leaned back IN the
chair with his brow wrinkled, as If trying
20 think.
eco on" said Chief Murphy. encour-
aeingiy. "Sign your name just as YOU
always do when YOU write 20 mother"
After q few moments hesitation the
young man signed "Will' The Chief
urged him 20 address tho letter 20 his
mother The young man hesitated for sew
eral minutes. apparently puzzling his
brain. and then he wrote: Mrs w. J.
Hartman Holyoke Mass
Chief Murphy telesraphed 20 the police
OF Holyoke. but they were unable to
locate Mrs Hartman. Tn young man was
taken back 70 the hospital-New York
Sun.