Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1876 — Hydrophobia. [ARTICLE]

Hydrophobia.

About half-past one o’clock yesterday afternoon Officer Charles Cranzow, while walking up Gratiot avenue, noticed a man just ahead of him who seemed to frighten everybody he met, and every time he gassed a telegraph pole or hitching-post e would bite at it and give vent to sharp shrieks. The tffougbt that possibly the man was suffering from hydrophobia caused the officer to look for assistance, and fortunately he was just then overtaken by Officer Troy. Together the officers approached the man, and when spoken to he turned, and, In a perfectly sane manner, said: “Gentlemen, I can’t help it; I have been bitten by a mad dog,” auu, as though he felt the spasm coming, he added; “ It’s coming again; take hold of me and look out.”'" ■

They seized him by the arms, and, by great exertion, succeeded in holding him away from themselves and keeping him under control until they arrived at the Gratiot avenue police station. Here they loosened their hold upon the prisoner, as he seemed perfectly quiet. In reply to questions he stated that his name was Albert KutrufT; that he is a baker, and has been in the city but a short time, living in a house in the alley between Brush, Beaubien, Congress and Fort streets. Also that last Tuesday night, while at Long’s saloon, on Michigan Grand avenue, he was bitten by a mad dog. While telling this, Kutruff stood near the door to the corridor, Serg. Burger and Officer Allen were behind the desk, Koundsman Whalen stood just inside of the Captain’s office, while near the stove stood Officers Cranzow and Troy. “Look out, I’ll bite you!” suddenly shouted KutrufT, and with eyes fixed and staring and mouth wide open he made a bound toward Whalen, that officer barely having time to shut the door of the Captain’s office, against which the madman struck with terrible force. At this be began biting the door-casing and screaming frightfully, when Sergt. Berger and Officer Allen each seized an arm with the intention Of putting handcuffs upon him. The instant KutrufT seemed to realize what they were at he became endowed with wonderful strength, and, although the five officers joined in the struggle, lie made a great struggle, snapping his teeth, kicking and twisting frightfully. At last, however, his hands were drawn behind him, and tastened with handcuffs, and he was carried to a cell, where he was locked in. Looking at the case as one of drunkenness, the officers were inclined to joke over the matter, but a seriousness would seize them as they recalled the savage snapping of the man’s teeth and Ins attempts ttr'* bite them However, they became confirmed in the beliet that “arunk” . expresssed the case by ten or fifteen minutes of quiet which ensued after KutrufT had been placed in a cell, and Roundsman Whalen was being joked by his companions when suddenly they heard the words: “My God, this is horrible!” and going to the cell saw the prisoner stanifing "before the door. At their appearance he said: “Boys, this is awful, but 1 can’t help it. 1 feel it coming on again and urn afraid that I will die. Bend for my wife and get a doctor quickly.” Then all nerve power was apparently exhausted and he leaned against the wall and tears trickled slowly over his checks. The next moment, with a savage growl or groan, he seized one of the iron bars of the door between his teeth, and with shrieks and yells terrific shook the door so that it rattled and creaked as though it would be forced open. Then he paced his cell for a few minutes, when he bit at tiie brick wall, at the wooden oinch, the iron water-pipes and in fact everything which projected sufficiently for a uold for his teeth, constantly yelling, while blood streamedxfom his lips and tears from his eyes.' ™

Meanwhile a messenger was sent for his wife, and during the half hour until her arrival the madman continued his ravings. At last she came and with her a son. The son was admitted first, and when he appeared the luther was quiet for a few minutes, during which the two held a conversation in the German language. Next the wife was shown into the cell, and placing her lips between the bars kissed the husband, who the next instant—the wife barely having time to draw her face awaysnapped and growled at her, and during the next ten minutes the scene was truly pitiable. On one side of tbe bars the crazed husband and his ravings, on the other the amazed and speechless wife, silently wringing her hands and gazing fixedly at the husband. , Dr. Kaiser having been summoned" by Gapt. Myler, visited tire station and, learned that violent chills and fever preceded each attack; that dizziness fol- ' lowed, and lastly the biting and barking spasms. The doctor offered Kutruff a cup of water, at sight of which he went into violent spasms, and when he was offered something to cat he refused to partake. Finally a salted herring was procured and cut into long strips, ana by coaxing the father ate the iUh as it was handed through the bars by his son, never failing, however, to snap al liis son’s hand. • ~ ■ - - • ■ r .

At last Dr. Kaiser asked the patient if he had any desire to go home or wished to be sent to a hospital. This seemed to divert the man’s mind from his malady. and after thinking he said he wished to go home. “ Very well," said the Doctort “if you will remain quiet for air hour we will let you go home with your wife and son." The man agreed to make an effort, nil everybody except Dr. Kaiser vacated the corridor, the Doctor seating himself in a chair out of sight of the patient. Here he watched, listened and waited an hour, during which time the patient had three attacks, but stiffed hi* yells (having had his hands released) by stuffing his handkerchief into his mouth, and exerted control over himself sufficient to refrain from biting anything.

At the end of the time designated Dr.. Kaiser praised KutrufT for his behavior, and asked him if he wanted anything to drink before going home. KutrufT refused schnnps, lager beer and water, but when a cup of coffee was shown him he said he would drink it, and before he was satisfied disposed of four cups of strong coffee. At six o’clock he was taken out of his cell, and with his wife and son walked to his home, followed and watched by policemen. At eleven o’clock last night a visit was paid to KutrufTs house, and from the son it was learned that he had five biting and barking attacks, but that by close watching he had been prevented *from doing any injury to himself or family. —Detroit Free Press , April 8. t