The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-13
MAKING A LONG FAST.
Curious Case of n Prisoner in Jail
at Chicago.


After nineteen days of alleged abstinence from
food Br. Henry X. W. Andrews, a prisoner in
the county jail, walked the grating of the cell
room yesterday with Light step, smiling face,
ana a heaithy color glowing in his bearded
cheeks and announced his determination TO in
crease the period of his fast to eighty DAYS il
he is not released before that period has elapsed.
Since July 3 DR.. Andrews asserts that no food
has passed MS lips, a small allowance OF water,
IN which some salt sugar has been dissolved.
being all he permits himself. Dr. Andrews state
ments are doubted by the guards in the building
and his fellow prisoners. but their skepticism
and wa;ohiuiness have failed to detect the faster
In the act OF eating or smuggling food to his
cell
Until one week ago no particular attention had
been bestowed upon Andrews. He had not boast
cd o. his fast, and it only when i chance
remark 10y former ceilmate attracted the
tice of Jailer " hitman 10 him that watch was
put on the prisoner. The attention of DR.. F. ".
Mcnamara, the Jail physician, was called TO the
man, but, after scrutinizing and questioning him
for few minutes, DIR. Mcnamara expressed in
credulity to the three weeks fast.
The man, in all probability, has had food
Struggled TO MS CELL the physicians COM
ment. HE evidently weighs more now than
when received at the Jail As long he re-
tains his health we shall not interfere. If he
is really fasting and his health becomes affected
shall that ne is given sustenanee, whether
not he accepts it voluntarily"
Jailer Whitman and the guards are much puz-
lied by Andrews actions
Whitman said. HE impresses being sin
cere in his statements, but / cannot reconcile
therl with his appearance, which would indicate
Enst instead Of fasting he was eating tour or i've
meals day
Dr.. Andrews displayed no hesitancy in con-
refsiug about his peculiar last
This Is not the first time have tasted" he
said y am imprisoned in this place for crime
Of which / am guiltless- Ny fast is not peni-
tenee Tor an evil deed done, but a call 10 the
Lord to come 10 my aid when human power has
failed. / do not belong to any sect, nor /
an evangelist as has been stated. Ny faith is
founded entirely on the Old Testament and that
part Of the New that does not conflict with it.
for an ordeal to come thes retired TO
Guided spot and prayed and tasted. Before the
limit Ct time 1 have placed on my fast has ex-
Iired I expect TO be released from the bondage
in which ! placed. Three times before when
in trouble nave tasted, once for nine, once for
eleven, and again for twenty-thTee days. Each
time my prayers were granted.
Il have felt 10 i'll effects since the third day
OF my present fast My only drink has been
water. II ! were in a position 10 procure pure
spring wate-, as l had heretofore done, that
would have been sufficient for my needs But in
this case ] an compelled to dilute a little salt
or sugar in the liquid to neutralize the fat and
iusip.I taste / have lost fifteen pounds in the
shall complete the forty-day fast, and if not re-
leased within that time / shall fast still another
forty"
Andrews IS a veterinary surgeon, and from this
he gets his title Of doctor. He speaks in slow,
deliberate tones, and is seemingly a wellread and
cultured man. He IS 4 resident Of Vermont and
apparently fifty years Of age.