The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-03-15
Once Alert Business Man Has
to Be Taught to Walk,
Speak and Write.
HURT IN RAIL WAY ACCIDENT
HAD TO BE INTRODUCED TO HIS
WIFE AND CHILDREN AND IS
BUSY NOW LEARNING HIS A. 3.
c.'s-AN APT PUPIL.

Omaha, NeE., March $50. Raschke,
q twenty-seven year old business man
of Omaha, has suddenly reverted to
the condition of a little child and is
now busily engaged in learning his "A
B. C.'s' and getting acquainted with
his own wife and children. 1t took him
a week to learn to walk and two weeks
to learn simple words of one syllable,
but he has not yet mastered the art of
writing his own name. In fact, he
had to learn what his name was be-
fore he could make an attempt to learn
to spell it.
Thirty days ago, Raschke, a keen,
alert business man, met with an acct
dent that rendered him unconscious
when he recovered, his mind was
blank. 1t was necessary that he be
introduced to his own wife and chill
dren; he had to ask the identity of his
own father and even to get some one
to tell him his own name. All day he
sits at a window of his home and looks
out at the wonderful things which pass
the house and which his little boy tells
him are horses, dogs, wagons and
street cars. At times the woman
whom they tell him is his wife, assists
him at studying queer lines which she
calls "A B c." And he learns quick
~, too, never having to be told the
same thing twice.
How He Was Hurt.
It was early in January that Raschke
went to Sioux City on a business trip.
Returning, when the train stopped at
Bancroft, Neb., he swung off for a
breath Of fresh air. AS the train
started Raschke stepped aboard. Be-
fore he got his balance the train
lurched and his head struck brass
rod. He fell from the platform onto
the frozen ground ana was picked up
unconscious and taken to the depot.
He did not recover consciousness for
twenty-four hours. Papers in his
pockets disclosed his identity and ad-
dress and he was brought to hospital
in Omaha. When he recovered con-
seriousness his mind was complete
blank.
He heard the nurses and physicians
talking and tried to initiate them. The
ability to talk returned rapidly. One
day his wife and two little boys were
admitted to the room. Not sign of
recognition did he show.
Don't you know us, Otto?" asked
Mrs. Raschke, with tears in her eyes.
Il never saw you BEFORE" answered
Otto.
He was told that this was his wife,
and that the children were his own.
That's funny" he said. 1.-THE idea
OF me having a wife and children
His Own Home Strange to Him.
After three weeks in the hospital
during which he learned to walk a lit,
tie, Raschke was taken to his home
which he did not recognize when he
entred With child's inability to
Judge distance, Raschke was at first
afraid to attempt to walk for fear OF
falling.
.Who is that man % he asked. 'Tell
him to go out"
Why, Otto, that's your father" he
was told by his wife. Raschke had
been very fond Of his father, but in his
new condition he abhors the very sight
of him. Formerly Raschke was an in
veterate smoker. Soon after his re
turn home he saw a man smoking and
asked what he was doing. He was of
fered a cigar, but declared he did not
like the odor. Al week later he smoked
one and was made violently i'll.
The most wonderful thing he has
seen SO far is a horse, and he never
tires of watching the wagons pass his
house. When a four-horse dray came
by he screamed with delight and called
his wife to see the wonderful sight
The electric light was a great mystery