Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-20
MAN WHOLOSES
HIS MEMORY IS
HELD BY POLICE
REMEMBERS NOTHING FOR
THREE YEARS
TATTOO MARKS ON ARM GIVE
NAME AS o. DRiScoLL
Afflicted Person Says He Worked for
New England Telephone Conn.,
pany and Lived at Brock
ton, Mass.

His mind a blank for at least three
years, not remembering his own name'
where he came from, when or how he
got to Los Angeles, Daniel Driscoll,
SO wears old, was taken to the city Jail
Yesterday afternoon, and the doctors
in the receiving hospital stated ne
presents one of the most remarkable
cases Of "amnesia," or loss of memory,
ever brought to their attention.
The past three years of his lie mao
been as though his mind was cloudeu
and his every action has been auto
smatic, without a realization of what
was taking place until yesterday att
ernoon his mind cleared sufficiently so
that he approached police officer on
Spring street and asked how far 1t was
TO Boston.
His peculiar actions brought to the
policeman's mind the story of Rip van
Wrinkle. and he decided that medical
attention was what the aged man most
needed.
Mr.. Drisco1l who appears to be
man of the laboring class and was
poorly but clearly clad, was an object
of sympathy as he vainly stroVe 10
answer the questions asked.
When he realized that he was to be
cared for and that his interrogators
were friendly inclined he broke down
and wept like child, and he told that
strive as he might he could remember
nothing about himself or his actions
for some years.
1t was only after countless sugges-
lions had been made that he began to
realize what was desired of him, ana
his eagerness to help the officers dis
entangle the mystery in which he was
Surrounded was pitiable.
Name Is Revealed
An examination of the man disclosed
n tattoo mark above the wrist on the
right hand with the name ID. Dris-
coll" and when the words were spoken
he quickly said that wasshis name, and
by mentioning surnames beginning
with the letter d it was found that
Daniel was the name.
The police, anxious to find out if he
had any relatives, after long question:
ing ELECTED the fact he had a son.
Mr.. Driscoll knew his sons occupa-
ton, but the only way he could express
it was by saying that he worked "on
things that go back and forth on the
streets" In answer to another ques--
ton he said that the things" carried
people, and nodded eagerly when the
words electric cars were spoken.
Further inquiry along the same tedi-
Gus line developed the fact that his
sons name was Joseph A. Driscoll.
The question of his place of living
was found by the chance remark that
it was a big shoe center. Various shoe
centers of the United States were mem
toned, but when Brockton, Mass, was
heard he said that was his home.
The time of his leaving Brockton
was established by the fact that the
last he remembered there was that
William L.. Douglas, the large shoe
manufacturer of Brockton, was at that
time governor of Massachusetts. AS
suggestion after suggestion made, 1t
was possible to connect his story, and
he was as happy as little child when
he had succeeded in making known
what he desired.
According to the story, Driscoll had
worked for twenty-three years as a
lineman for the New England Tele-
phone and Telegraph company in vari-
Gus parts of Massachusetts.
He Travelled West
After severing his connection with
the telephone company he Travelled
west and secured a position as night
Waterman in the City National bank
of Midland, Tex.
After working there a time he was
granted a vacation and, DESTROYS of
seeing his relatives, he journeyed back
to Brockton, and that is the last he
remembers.
The only knowledge he had was that
he left Brockton during the term of
former Governor Douglas, which was
in 1905. In Massachusetts governors
are elected for one year, and Douglas
served but one term.
When brought to the city Jail Dris-
coll had but 20 cents with him, but
apparently he did not realize the value
of money. That he was hungry and
weak was shown when a hearty meal
was placed before him, which he ate
with apparent relish
The strange part of Driscolls affec-
ton is that he realizes that his mind
has been blank, and it grieves him to
think he is unable to tell the officers
all he knows.
Driscoll appears to be a man who
has worked hard, and he bears no in
dications of dissipation and has good
command of the English language
when he speaks of happenings just
taking place. but what has taken place
since he left Brockton the last time
he does not know.
He stated he had no relatives in Los
Angeles and knows no reason why lie
should come here, but he was unable
to tell how he has managed to live or
what work he has lately DONE
Recalls No Accident
He does not remember meeting with
an accident or shock that would tend
to cause his loss of memory, and the
surgeons at the receiving hospital say
the case is one of the strangest ever
handled by them.
The police have telegraphed to the
police of Brockton in hopes of getting
trace of the son or other relatives, and
in the meantime Driscoll will be kept
at the city Jail, under no charge, but
simply for lodging and that he may
have proper attention until his rela-
tives or friends are heard from.
The police do not believe that Dris-
coll came to Los Angeles yesterday,
and are in hopes that the publicity of
his case will attract any people with
whom he may have been stopping. 1t
is believed he may have gone along
the even tenor of his way, not realiZ-
ing anything of his past until yester-
day by some unaccountable reason the
cloud that has befogged his mind was
lifted partially and he determined to
make his way back to Massachusetts.
as would be indicated by his remark
to the policeman when he inquired the
distance to Boston.
Anizonage CaIope Adiourn