The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-30
MYSTERY MAN
CLEARS UP HIS
SHR0UDED LIFE

finance remark LeauS 10 d
Definite Establishment Of
His Identity.
KALAMAZOO. Mich, Jan. 29.-ROb-
ert William Orr, who for the last ten
years has been regarded as a man OF
mystery at the Kalamleloo state hos
pital, a few days ago in n chance re-
mark, disclosed his identity, and the
hospital authorities have by CORE
spondence located his relatives and
have obtained a complete history of
his case. N
Orr was brought to tho institution
June Q, 1905, from Marshall. He had
been picked up by officers Of that city
who found him acting strangely on
the streets, waving his arms and talk
ing to imaginary companions. He
then gave his name as Edwin Tadd,
but absolutely refused to give any fur
Their information concerning himself.
He was thereupon taken into the pro-
bate court where physicians pro.
nounced him insane and committed
him to the Kalamazoo state hospital.
Tho young man was about 90 years
of age; with mind much weakened,
and he laughed foolishly. He at once
adapted himself to his new. surround
ings, but although he looked upon the
physicians and nurses as his friends,
he maintained silence regarding his
past. Inquiries made Of the Calhoun
county authorities failed to bring forth
any information concerning him, OK
cept that he was q stranger to that
county and evidently was a tramp.
Confession after Ten Years.
For the entire ten years that the
man called Tadd had been IN inmate
of the hospital he has given no trouble
and has answered promptly to tho
name which he gave on entering the
institution. A few days ago, however,
he approached one of the doctors and
stated that his name had not always
been Edward Tadd, but that at one
time he was Robert William Orr,
whose father was Robert Orr, who
once lived about twenty miles from
Mobile, Ala. The patient was then
questioned and he ELECTED the infor-
nation that he had twice been an In
mate Of the Bryce hospital at Tusca-
loosa, Ala.
A communication sent to the head
of the Bryce hospital brought back
the information that a young man
named Orr had been an inmate of
that institution and had twice escaped
the last time being August 0. 1904.
His name had been carried on the
hospital books for a number Of months
and then dropped. The name Of Mrs.
Capitola Crowell, of Oak Grove, Ala.
was given as that of Orr's mother, and
to her a letter OF inquiry was sent.
Mrs. Crowell Immediately sent a re-
ply in which she said that the man
calling himself Tadd or Orr was un-
doubleday her son, who had 9disap-
peared ten years ago and was be-
lieved to be dead.
Escapes and Goes to Sen.
The mother said that the boy be-
came insane when but is years of
age. He was placed in the Bryce hos
pltal, where he remained for a time
and then escaped, returning to his
home. Evidently fearing that he would
be sent back to the hospital, he dis
appeared, going to Mobile where he
shipped as a sailor, remaining away
from home for four years. On RETURN
ing he was again committed to the
hospital, which he left a second time.
The mother, not hearing from her boy,
had believed him dead for many years
Mrs. Crowell said that Mr.. Orr died
when their son was but 3 years Of
age and that she had married again.
Orr has informed DR.. A. j. Noble,
medical superintendent OF the Kalama-
ZOO hospital, that he remembers moth
ing of his life from the time he es-
capped the second time from the Bryce
hospital until he was committed to
the institution here. He can give no
account OF his wanderings which
brought him north and which covered
a period of nearly a year. He de-
clares that he does not want to re-
turn to Alabama. saying that he is
perfectly satisfied with the treatment
he is receiving here.
Mrs. Crowell will be again commu-
nicated with and will be asked II she
viii not make some arrangements for
her sons return home. II she does
not do this, or is unable to furnish
means, the authorities Of the state Of
Alabama will be communicated with
and an effort made to have him re-
committed to the institution from
which he escaped ten years ago.