The Herriges Horror in Philadelphia: A Full History of the Whole Affair. A Man Kept in a Dark Cage Like a Wild Beast for Twenty Years, As Alleged, in His Own Mother's and Brother's House — John Shaqi
The Herriges Horror in Philadelphia: A Full History of the Whole Affair. A Man Kept in a Dark Cage Like a Wild Beast for Twenty Years, As Alleged, in His Own Mother's and Brother's HouseAnonymous
History
The Herriges Horror in Philadelphia: A Full History of the Whole Affair. A Man Kept in a Dark Cage Like a Wild Beast for Twenty Years, As Alleged, in His Own Mother's and Brother's House
Anonymous
Herriges, John; Mentally ill -- Care; Mentally ill -- Commitment and detention; Mentally ill -- Family relationships
After several days residence at the almshouse he began to lose a
considerable amount of his former animal stupidity, and if ordered to do
anything in the same way as when he was first admitted to the institution,
he would not do it at all, but remain perfectly motionless. This shows
that his mental feebleness results not so much from natural causes as the
artificial ones of his long confinement, and a withering isolation from
the outer world. He will never be himself again, for that would be
impossible, but it is quite likely that he will recover so far as to
permit him to enjoy the ease and have that care of kind attendants that
his share of the property will command.
Comment on the conduct of those relatives from whose charge he has been
taken is entirely unnecessary. If they have consciences, their feelings
must be of a rather terrible nature. One thing is certain; poor John will
be taken good care of in the future, and in Furman Sheppard, Esq., he has
a friend who will not allow justice to be hoodwinked.
A VISIT TO THE VICTIM AT THE ALMSHOUSE HOSPITAL.
Yesterday, in company with Detective Charles Miller, who had charge of the
investigation of the circumstances of the case, we made a special visit to
John Herriges, the subject of this sketch.
When we reached the institution, the usual ball, which is periodically
given to the patients in the insane department, was at its full height,
and John's nurse, an active and intelligent young man, supposing that the
happiness and hilarity of the scene would have a beneficial effect upon
his charge, wheeled him in his chair to the ball room. John seemed
astonished somewhat, and the excitement took quick effect upon him, making
him very loquacious, although the words he uttered were so unconnected as
to be entirely incoherent.
Finding this to be the case, the attendant wheeled his patient to a quiet
part of the building, where we had a long interview with him. But John
remained excited, and talked almost constantly about McMullin, the
veritable William of the Fourth Ward, of murders and burglars, and
coffins, and kindred subjects. We asked him a number of questions, but
apart from now and then giving us a semi-intelligent glance, he took no
notice whatever, until in the midst of it the attendant stepped suddenly
to one of the insane patients, who, manifesting unusual excitement,
required prompt securing. This was done by the attendant passing his arms
round the man, drawing his hands forcibly down and securing them behind,
as he coaxed him along to a cell.
John Herriges' face instantly lighted up with great animation as he
exclaimed, pointing to the two:
"Ha! that's the way they kill them, that's it, Mully, Mully good
fellow!--he! he! he!"
He constantly has this idiotic laugh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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