The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-12-03
WAKE AGAIN AFTER "a YEARS.

mr.. McClellAnd Knows How Rip VaA
Winkle Felt When He Woke Up.
The village of Graysville has ,ievei-
oped q strange case as viewed from
medical standpoint-that of q man who
had lain upon his bed for "a years.
during great part of which time he
was blind and speechless, and some
times unable to hear, but can now walk
about with the aid of crutches, and his
eyesight, voice and hearing all restored.
This man is Asa McClelland. He was A
soldier in the late war, being member
Of company C. Eighteenth Pennsylvania
cavalry, and will be remembered by
many of his old comrades.
In the early part of the '7os he was
taken i'll and became bedfast. He lost
the use of his body, and finally sank
into half-conscious state, during
which he lost both eyesight and power
to speak, and for a time could not hear.
Some time before his illness his mind
became temporarily affected, and he
attempted to take his life by shooting.
The ball struck him near the base of
the brain, but failed to penetrate the
skull. But little injury was done, ap-
parcntly, by the wound, and he went
about for several months afterward.
After he became ill his case baff1ed the
aid Of physicians.
Much of the time he would lie upon
his bed with his head and entire body
under covers. He would show no sign
of recognition, and his food was fire.
quently pushed under the covers within
his reach, and thus he ate enough to
sustain life. This lasted during peri
Cd of "a years. After the first few years
old acquaintances ceased their visits.
and he almost dropped out of their re-
membrance. He now relates the fol-
lowing strange story:
A short time ago he felt strength sud-
denly return to his body, and had an
impulse to rise. He tried to do SO and
found that he could get up. About the
same time he found his eyesight re-
stored. He had not uttered sound for
years, but the thought occurred to him
to speak, and he found his voice re-
stored.
His first attempt to walk was by rest
ing his hands upon the back of chair
and pushing it along, but he now uses
crutches. He had forgotten many
words, and those were taught him just
as little child is instructed. In the
same way he was taught to read again.
Everything was new to him. He, how
ever, remembered the names and faces
of former acquaintances. An old ac-
ouaintance who had not seen him for
many years met him at the store at
Graysville, and was quickly recognized
by McClelland. The latter refers to the
period of his life prior to his illness
as one who has been away in another
pert of the country for many years and
has just returned. He speaks of places
about the village as "when I was here
before they looked SO and So" He says
there were but two or three houses in
Graysville when he was there then.
Like. Rip Van Winkle,- he seems to
have awakened from long dream. He
says that during his illness he was
many times able to hear what was said.
but had not the power to whisper even
reply. He has an interest in piece
of land, and draws small pension, and
says he now is able to conduct his own
business. Mr.. McClelland is 54 years
old, and formerly worked at the paint
ing trade.-Pittsburgh Dispatch.