Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1879 — A Man with a Baby’s Mind. [ARTICLE]

A Man with a Baby’s Mind.

A very singular case comes from Burgettstown, Pa., which place the Rev. Dr. Marqus Ormond left that he might walk through the Southern States in search of health. Late one night in 1878, when he was in bed, word reached him in Washington, Pa., that his residence and fine library at West Alexander had been burned. This was a great shock to him. In March of last year he complained of pain in his head. For two months he was unconscious and lost his speech. Gradually he began to make known his thoughts, but he was much like a child. Mrs. Ormond and his children worked hard with him, and finally he learned the alphabet and could make out short words. He knew the faces of his children, but could not remember their names. When he wanted Mollie he would ask for Clara. The physicians advised that his mind should not be overstrained again. They also concluded that his weight should be reduced, for he was in robust physical health, and he was fed with skimmed milk. By suoh treatment his weight was brought down from 220 to 150 pounds. He has not improved aDy for the last year. His writing is merely a mechanical act—simply a copy of the words his wife writes for him. Singularly enough he is able to count, and can make a good bargain. Physicians cannot account for his condition. He goes on the walking tour \o strengthen his mind.

Letter from Perkins to the Committee. “I shall lecture at Rensselaer on Monday evening, the 15th inst., unless t am assassinated by some of your citizens. lam an “old stager”on the platform, and “old stagers” never miss. “I know your town is a hard place to reach, but I will be on band if I have to buy arailroad and run it my nelf. ElJt PERKINS.” Des Moines, lowa, Dec. 8, ’79. Speakers fr< m a distance are ex* pected to address the Greenback Meeting to be held at this place tomorrow. Hayes nhd Evarts contributed to the Indiana negro colonization fund at Washington the other day. In the Indianapolis procession last Tuesday, the coach containing Grant was drawu by four white horses, each horse led by u negro. O-ESaii! The Valparaiso Messenger has placed in its office .a couple of new presses and engine. Zira. is now pur suing one Professor Michael by steam. A North Carolina paper is of the opinion that New England will lose mote members of Congress under the next apportionment than the ."'outh. In the event of the uex r presidential election being thrown into the House, Mr. Do La Matyr declares his intention of “giving the Democrats the benefit, of a doubt. ' Hun. Charles H. Voorbis, Radical M. C. from the sth District, New Jersey, has been arrested for embezzle merit. Mr. V. will no doubt be sue -ceded in the National House of Re preseutalives by a Democrat. The radical party through its repre seututives, Fraud Hayes and John Sherman, desire to unsettle financial affairs. Mr. VoorUecs is first to the front, and bids them hands off, and we rather think they will obey him. The Fraud, in his message, urges the withdrawal of the greenback tender circulation; advocates no more e linage of silver, and recommends a tajiff oil tea and coffee, for the benefit of consumers. Three grand pro positions, which may be discussed to his heart’s content before the adjournment of the present Congress. Hayes is anxious for Congress to appro,- risfe money for the employment of U. S. Miir-dials iff. tiie polls !ii the coming State elm.-tiuns. Con gu.ss np.ou.id re pass the lull of last s«‘n*i< r, with ii- i mai iv-rsix iolii tclause-', it u-cesMiry. 1 Uj 'gill- Fi'.-uo in his superlative wisdom minks pro per to interpose a veto, let turn shoulder the resoonsibilPy. The organ of the ff vH ul party of Indiana, the Indianapolis Journal, of the sth inst., contains the declaration, “Nobody’s daughters demand white husbands or none, except those of Democrats.” Piopt-rly eomplimeumry to Democratic hisses, but what of tsho reflection and disgraceful slur cast on Republican maidens? Is it .rue that they prefer negro husbands to none? Mr. Journal, your lusinua lion is a bane slander.

Washington Capital: During the ceremony of unveiling the Thomas monument Governor Young, John Sherman, James A. Garfield and Stanley Matthews, each in turn, stole into the Senate chamber and patted his • •out-tails over the seal of Senator Thurman to try how it would feel. I'oru looked as if he were going to invite f ho chamber out to drink, Sherman as if he had stolen the chair, Garfield appeared as if about to apologize for the intrusion. Stanley Matthews alone sat ‘grand, gloomy and peculiar, wrapped in the cloak of his own originality,” as if born to greatness he would never inherit. It is said that General Grant made • the remark to tire governor of Neva da that lie sincerely hoped the “necessity for itis nomination would uot arise.” The New York Sun, in connection with the j (.mark says: “What concftitl As if there could arise any circumstances which would render it a matter of necessity that one par tioulur individual should be elected president of the United States!” And tiie Indianapolis Sentinel adds: “i’es! we would like to know wiiat extraordinary power Grant could ise if he were president. We have had enough of this sort of talk. Do those who indulge-in it propose that Grant shall go outside of the constitution of ihe country to rule it? If they think that he possesses that sort of talent that would lead him bevond the limits of the iaw, Grant becomes a Very d ngel'ous rnan to have iu the White House. ThU really is what makes tiraut a favorite candidate with the advanced centralization wing of the iludical party—the certainty that he possesses the daring to act outside the constitution under certain cir->-u in stances. The circumstances cun ue brought about by such men as Bluiue, Colliding, John A. Logan and John Sherman.” Bid you ever hear Eli Perkins? (Melville D. Lamlon). Why, he is the funniest man living. Ho is funny to begin with, and as he speaks on ingots as funny as iL is possible fp>- a man to be, and then keeps on getting funnier. The sui-jcct of bin lecture will lie “The Philosophy us Fun.” O! course you will want to -take youi opera glasses, so that you can the more readily see the point of liis iokes. When is he coming? now does he look? -Why of course he does! And ha has a habit common

with most witty individuals of wear* ing his nose right between his eyes; and ho invariably* when standing, keeps his mouth above his chin. He says that “those purchasing tickets to his lecture will be admitted to a front seat at the funeral tn t ease he should be hung before the time arrived. He will be at Starr’s Hall on Monday e.veuiug, December 15, 1879. Those not holding season tickets will still find it to their advantage to purchase, as a reduction has been made proportional to the number of entertainments yet »o come. Eli Perkins, at Starr’s Hall, next Monday evening. Yesteiday tne weather brightened up clear and cold. Emmet Kannal expects to occupy his new quarters about the holidays. Arrangements are being perfected by the M. E. Sabbath School for a merry festival Christmas eve. “Just awful,” were the most frequent ’’cuss words” used with reference to the recent “spell of weather.” John Bartley, aged about 22 years, died of typhoid pneumoaia, at the residence of his father, in Barkley towuship, Saturday morning last. McCoy & Thompson purpose erect" ing a new bank building next spring. It will occupy the site of their present place of business, and adjoining lot. Cards* are out tor the wedding of Miss Katie, daughter of oar old-time Iriend, R. li. Pettit, Esq,, of Remington, and W.H. Lego, of this place. - Time—l7th iust. Willey <& Sigler’s new business rooms have been illuminated with gas during the week, and the workmen are driving work to completion. It is probable Messrs. W. & S. will occupy them the coming week.