Year: 1869




From the Cairo (Iu.) Bulletin Nou. d.
Many of our local readers will be able to recall
memory of one Samuel II. johnson, individual
in the sobriauet Of professor" Although not a
resident of the immediate city, he was daily in our
streets, and by his quaint ways, strange and some-
times incoherent expressions, attracted considerable
attention. Those who knew him well knew his mind
to be bordering on insanity, while Others probably
to an eccentric nature. He sometimes appeared in
our streets bareheaded and frequently barefooted,
treating all who approached him with due courtesy,
but permitting familiarity on the part of none.


Early last summer the professor" without any
preparation, and even without announcing his pur-
pose to his wife, left home, taking with him little
son aged about seven years. day or two was per-
mitted to pass by the wife and mother anticipating
an early return OF the husband and child but as they
came not, she instituted inquiry as to their wherea-
bouts. Although understanding the unsettled con-
diton of the husbands mind, she never believed for
a moment that he had summariy disposed OF him
SELF and she was equally assured of the safety of
the child. Weeks and months passed, yet no tidings
came OF the absent enes 1t could not even be
ascertained by what conveyance they left the city.
They had departed with such clothing as they had
on their persons, and If the "ProfessOrn had any
money, his wife was not aware OF the fact.


A few weeks ago Mrs. Il. received a letter from
paragraph clipped from California paper. This
paragraph announced that. man, answering the
description Of her husband, accompanied by seven
year old boy, had been arrested as an insane person
near Sacramento, California. He was ragged and
travel-worn, and the little boy was in condition
equally pitiable. The whole distance from Cairo to
California had been made by them on foot. They
had travelled steadily, begging food on the way
sometimes fasting and thirsting for days. but con-
tinuing their journey the while, at If the route
abounded in eXtravagant plenty. The professor" :"
inspired by the idea that Californiawas indeed land
of gold exerted superhuman strength, carrying
the boy in his for hours after the lads wearied
legs had refused to support him further.


Night and day week after week, the journey was
pursued, until the gap between them and home had
widened out to distance OF more than two thou
sand miles, closing the last day with walk OF over
thirty miles. Stopping for food and rest at resi-
dence few miles distant from Sacramento, the
''Professor" betrayed such unmistakable evidences
of insanity that the man OF the house" felt called
upon, in the interest Of humanity, to have him
properly provided for. The following day jury of
Inquest was: impaneled, and upon their verdict the
professor" was admitted into the Stockton Insane
Asylum, where he now is.


These facts being communicated by the news
paper paragraph spoken Of the relatives OF the un-
fortunate man placed themselves in correspondence
with the keeper of the Asylum, and, by a recent
mail, received photograph of the "Professor -
which any one who knows him will recognize at
sight, The little boy speaks OF afectionate and pa
rental treatment during the long and laborlous
Journey and of the fathers frequent and remarkable
self-denial for his comfort