Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1880 — A Family Becomes Insane. [ARTICLE]

A Family Becomes Insane.

One of the strangest occorrgpcee on record took place a few days ago some miles west of Jamestown, in Grant county. Wia. A German farmer named Mat. Johnston, together with his wife and brother, John Johnston, all became insane at the same time. John Johnston, who is also a married man, resided at some little distance from his brother Mat The latter first showed dangerous symptoms at night, when both he and his wife arose, dressed themselves in their best clothing, and went into the field to pray. They oontfnued this for a day or two. neglecting their stock and ■Jheir five little children. Finally their rendition waa discovered by neighbors, who triedto quiet them, but Mat, firmed himself with an axe and threatened to kill any one who came near. His mother ana younger Drothere tried in Vain to coax him to be qniet or to permit them to care for his children and femishing animals. His wife, though less violent, was alao a raving maniac, and paid not the slightest attention to her children, who were crying with cold 4nd hunger. A sarge number of the neighbor* disarmed Johnston, took the children to friends who would car© for them, and attended to the home that had been stabled for days without food or water. Johnston, when at liberty, insisted on keeping all the windows m his house open, mud on having a light burning at the same tim«b