The Herriges Horror in Philadelphia Part 4

An attendant took his arm, however, saying:

"Come, John, walk straight now; lean on me."

This kindness appeared strange to him, and he made great efforts to straighten up and walk the same way as his friend, looking meanwhile surprised, perhaps to think he could get so far, and that some one could speak kindly to him.

His appet.i.te was good, and he would eat whatever was given him with evident relish. In fact he could be compared to nothing more than an automaton, a human machine, as will be seen from the following conversation which a gentlemen held with him.

"John, where is your right arm?"

"There," was the reply, as he turned his head and looked at his arm, partially raising the member.

"Raise your left arm."

Instantly he would raise it.

"Hold your head back."

He did it.

"That will do, John, now open your mouth."

It was done.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Policeman releasing the Victim from his cage.

Der Polizist befreit das ungluckliche Opfer aus seinem Kafig.]

"Shut it."

"John, where are you living now?"

Of this question he took no notice.

"Do you like to live here?"

"Yes."

"Where did you live before you came here?"

No answer, but a look of half inquiry flitted over John's face.

"Did you not live at Fourth and Lombard Streets?"

"Oh, yes."

"For how long a time?"

No reply, but the same thoughtful look as before.

A variety of other questions was put to the imbecile, to all of which he invariably gave quick and correct replies, provided the reply could be made in monosyllables. But if it required an answer of several words he would remain silent, or apparently trying to think what he should say.

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 inst.i.tution, 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 circ.u.mstances of the case, we made a special visit to John Herriges, the subject of this sketch.

When we reached the inst.i.tution, 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 pa.s.sing 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.

From a gentleman at the inst.i.tution we gleaned the following in relation to the victim and his family, which he a.s.sured us was the correct history of the affair. In some essential points it seems to conflict with the sister's statement made to the reporter of the Sunday Dispatch.

The father's name was Bernard Herriges, who went to Oregon in 1843, and settled in Walumet Valley, and there died and left land worth about $400, in the executorship of Mr. Gla.s.son and Dr. Theophilus Degan. The will is recorded in the probate court of Clarkamas County, Oregon, and explicitly directs what is to be done with the property. By some means or other no claim was established, and the land referred to was occupied by General Abeneathy for twenty years. This information was given in reply to a letter that was written in 1868, by Hon. Leonard Myers, member of Congress, and sent by him to Oregon.

The mother's original name was Barbara Miller, and she is now in her seventy-ninth year. The oldest son, Joseph, is fifty-six. The sisters names are Mary Ann, Sophia, Hannah and Ann Margaret. This gentleman states that John, the victim, is now forty-five years old, that he was twenty-five when he received the injury that resulted in his imbecility, and that consequently the confinement has extended more or less over the period of twenty years. On the night of the great fire at Vine Street, in 1850, he received his hurt as he was returning from a lecture, by being pushed over a railing down into an area by the rushing crowd, striking his head violently in his descent.

In 1847, the family received a letter from Caspar Rudolph, in Oregon, asking them to give him a power of attorney to take control of the father's possessions there. This doc.u.ment was drawn up by the Hon. William D. Baker, signed by all the members of the family, approved before Alderman Benn and sent out to Rudolph.

Great praise is due to Doctor Richardson of the Almshouse for the speedy improvement his careful treatment has made in John, who is, beyond doubt, naturally a very powerful man, has a fine frame and a capitally shaped head. But it is certain he will never recover from his imbecility.

The officials in charge of his case from the commencement, also deserve great praise for their faithful attention to their disagreeable duty, which could not have been performed in a more satisfactory manner.

Particularly is this true of Officers Coniwasher and Reeder, Lieutenant Thomas and Detective Charles Miller.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Correct Drawing of the Herriges House at Fourth and Lombard. The scene of the Horror.

Genaue Zeichnung des Herriges Hauses an der Vierten und Lombard Strae.

Die Scene des Schreckens.]

JOSEPH HERRIGES' ACCOUNT.

Since going to press with this history an account of the affair has appeared in _THE DAY_, and which we have inserted here with the desire to place before the public whatever may be favorable to Mr. Herriges in the matter of his brother's confinement. We deem this a matter of mere justice.

The reporter having called on Mr. Herriges the following occurred during the interview.