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
Mr. Gibson, taking it up for his mother, then said:
"Yes, he did frighten my mother very much last night."
"Well, if my brother frightens you so, you had better move out of the
house, as quick as you can" said Herriges.
"I will, if you only will give me back what money is coming to me" said
Mrs. Gibson.
"No, I won't give you any money back" answered Herriges.
"Well," said Mrs. Gibson, "I can't afford to pay you a month's rent in
advance, and then move some where else and pay another month's rent in
advance too."
Herriges then began to talk so offensively insolent, that Mr. Gibson and
his mother were obliged to leave the store. They at once went down town to
see about another house, for Mrs. Gibson had been rendered so exceedingly
nervous by the startling events of the past few days that she was almost
sick.
By the time Mr. Gibson and his mother had returned home from their house
hunting, the officers had arrived, and brought the insane man down stairs.
After that the back of Herriges house was shut tightly up. The next day
the officers came down again and removed the insane man in a carriage to
the Central Station.
During the time that Gibsons lived in the house, if Mr. Gibson at any time
got up to drive a nail in the fence or side of the house to fasten a
clothes line to, or, as on occasion to fix wire to bold stove pipe,
Herriges would come out in a hurry and order him to get down and not do
it; saying it would destroy the property; but as Mr. Gibson now thinks to
prevent him getting near the window of the room where John was.
THE EFFORT TO GET THE GIBSONS AWAY.
After the discovery of the affair, on the following Thursday June 16th a
sister of Herriges, Mrs. Mary Ann Hurtt came down to Mr. Gibson's house.
"Good morning, Mrs. Gibson," said she.
"Good morning, ma'm," replied Mrs. Gibson.
"I am Joseph's sister."
"Do you mean Joseph Herriges?" asked Mrs. Gibson.
"Yes," answered she, "and I want to know, whether you can't move away from
here? I will give you every cent of the rent you have paid, back again. I
will make you a handsome present besides, and reward you and be a friend
to you as long as you live. Perhaps when you get old you will need a
friend. I will do this if you will not appear against Joseph."
Mrs. Gibson answered:
"Charity begins at home, and it is not likely you will befriend me, if you
couldn't befriend your own brother, fastened up there in that cage of a
room!"
At this moment Mr. Gibson came in, and his mother whispered to him:
"That's that Herriges sister in the corner there."
Some neighbor in the room said to Mrs. Hurtt:
"There is that young man," referring to Mr. Gibson.
Mrs. Hurtt then said to him:
"Can't you drop that case?"
"No," said Mr. Gibson, "it is in the hands of the authorities."
Mrs. Hurtt said:
"Then move out of the neighborhood, and I will pay you back what rent you
have paid, and will make you a handsome present, if you will leave the
city."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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