Year: 1870

From the ST. Louis Times, May g.


About month ago, a young man, not more
than 26 years of age, named Jese Morgan,
whose father resides at Connersville, Henry
county, Missouri, came to Kirkwood He
was prepossessing in appearance, but ms
actions were so strange as to render 1t ap-
parent that his mind was shattered. HIS
eccentricities increased, and the poor lei
low wandered about the streets, evidently
unconscious of his own movements, or OF
the fact that his singular conduct was at
tTacting universal attention. At one time
he would shrek as though in great BODILY
pain; at another become perfectly quiet,
and lie down in the streets, or wherever he
happened to be. Sometimes he would
pause in the midst of a group of boys
scores of whom, impelled by a desire to
witness his freaks, almost constantly fol-
lowed him-and make wild, incoherent re,
ligious or political harangues. Finally, one
day, in the presence of q large assemhiage,
he stripped himself of clothing, and Shen
perfectly nude, ran down one OF the
streets, shouting that the "devil wanted his
eyes"


After this most extraordinary demonstra-
ton, it was resolved to place him where
he could harm neither himself nor others.
He was arrested and sent to the st. Louis
city hospital for medical treatment. His
conduct there varied from that at Kirk
wood only in the increase in violence and
frequency of his paroxysms. He was closely
watched, and the attendant physician
thought it not improbable thatan improve
ment might be wrought in his condition.


His conduct was wholly inoffensive. Not
even children feared to approach him.
There was nothing to Indicate malice to-
ward any one. Sometimes he would con
verse and act quite nationally. But it was
impossible to divest his mind OF the behef
that the devil desired his eyes. Occasion
ally, when in the height of one of his par
oxysms, he doubtless thought the evil one
literally present, he would cover his eyes
with his hands and beg piteously for pro-
lection. Assurances that he should not be
harmed were of little avail. The fantasy
had complete possession of him. A hor-
rid specter, it followed him day and night.
It seemed to paralyze his whole being.
Nothing could break the terrible spell,
which, while he seemed to shrink from it,
yet appeared to ftsscinate and lure him on
to destruction. "


Yesterday the end came. Poor Morgan
had been for nearly an hour slowly pacing
the floor. His head leaned forward on his
breast, and he was so quiet that those
present began to feel more hopeful of his
ultimate recovery. He had spoken but lit
tie, and his words were properly chosen
Suddenly he startled everybody by shout
ing; ''The devil must have my eyes and,
before he could be restrained, he
with his fingers tore both eyes from
their sockets and threw them on the floor.
The horrible act was scarcely the work of
moment; and when the persons present
realized what had occurred, the maniac,
sightless, his face crimson with blood
which flowed in torrents from the CHASTITY
sockets, and was already forming puddles
on the floor, stood before them, quiet as
though nothing had happened. Medical
attendance was at once summoned, but
without avail. He fingered a few hours
and then death came and ended life of
SOrrOsy