New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-11
DUAL PERSONALITIES.
BrOnr Boy Who Displays Traits
Which Seem Mysterious.


year-old boy living at No lab Brook-ave Bor-
ough of The Bronx an abnormal child and the
possessor of a dual nature? Does he imagine
himself TO be two persons the second person
ality that of a twin brother who died when he
was only few hours old? Or does this twin
brother in some mysterious way influence his
actions? Is he only a rapacious and "fnicky''
youngster, needing corrective in the form of
a strap? This small boy. who wore pants
for the first time a few days ago, has gained
considerable newspaper notoriety lately because
of certain actions which his mother has OBJ
served. and, like a good many other mothers.
stored away in her memory to recount occa-
sionally. when the subjects of children and
strange psychological phenomena discussed
by neighborhood groups. The fact that there
are well authenticated cases Of persons who
have exhibited more than one personality adds
interest to the of this boy. Whether he
has any characteristics of especial interest to
psychologists remains for time to determine
The history Of the boys popularity told
by his mother is as follows: He was born in
April. 1901. AS soon as he came into the world
he began TO moan and cry. About four hours
later twin brother followed him, and he ceased
his moaning and crying. The twin brother died
in the course of a few hours, and he resumed
his moaning For three days he refused nourish-
ment. and for two weeks he gave abundant ex-
preston to his feelings of woe. He would not go
to sleep unless some one went to bed with hlm'
always crying when the other half Of the pea
was unoccupied When he was old enough TO SIT
at the table he would appropriate the plate
fork. knife and chair of the person who sat
next to him. He did not use them himself, but
he objected TO any one else using them. He
,,o,Id even refuse to eat unless he could have
his way in this respect When he could
talk he almost invariably asked for two when
one object was offered to him. If it was penny
for candy he cried, NO no. two" but he did
not spend both pennies, saving one When cakes
were offered to him he asked for two Inc ldea
of two seemed to be in his mind when any
tbing was offered to him. as If he thought him
self two persons and therefore required double
norton. or as if he felt that there was an un-
coon nersonality closely related to him near by.
for whom he must provide and whose COM
,apfonshiD he craYed. He still refuses to go to
sleep alone and he still demands two objects
and a vacant place beside his own at the table
He does not however. demand double supply
of wearing apparel. AS to whether he would
demand double supply of toys If he had the
opportunity is not known, for in his home few
TOYS are to be found There are too many
mouths to be filled.
Mrs Winham, who strikes one as the princi-
nal member of the family, does not worry over
Howard Neither does she humor him. she
has not consulted physicians regarding his pc
culiarities nor does she intend taking him to
SPECIALISTS for she is applying a remedy OF her
own 1t is her hand She spanks him when he
cries for his supposed twin. In the mean time
she is keeping the knowledge of the death OF
the twin away from him in order to discover
If there is a connection between his actions
and the less of his brother
Among he well authenticated cases of per-
sons afflicted with alternating personalities
was Zelda x of Bordeaux. This woman &C
cording to the psychologists who have inVest-
rated her case yibrated between two personali-
ties The change was Involuntary The first