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Life In The N.Y. State Lunatic Asylum; Or, Extracts From The Diary Of An Inmate

Creator: n/a
Date: January 1849
Publication: American Journal of Insanity
Source: Available at selected libraries

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The following day, N. employed thirty hands; the same night he swore to his friends that all should be re-built by a certain day; adding, that he would show God Almighty that if He had the power to burn a few old wooden buildings, that he (N.,) could build new stone ones, so He might do his worst.

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Time passed away, and the day appointed for the completion of the building, at length arrived; -- many loafers were in attendance, who had come to render a little assistance, and drink a great deal of rum; (loafers always love rum,) I should think it very "rum" to meet with an exception to the rule. Rum! -- Rum! -- I wonder how many thousands rum has ruined, -- the greatest enemy to mankind. Well, leave me alone; I'll tell you; but I'm getting tired, so I'll cut my story short.

37  

Yes, that day, little did poor N. know what an hour would bring forth. The warning had been given, but it had not been hearkened unto. 'Twas then too late. The building was nearly completed, but N. was dissatisfied; he swore at everybody; at himself. "D---n my limbs!" This horrid expression had scarcely left his lips, when a large piece of timber fell, and crushed both his legs in a most dreadful manner, breaking one completely off at the thigh. A messenger was immediately dispatched for a physician, but before he arrived the soul of N. was in eternity. He acknowledged that "God had conquered;" his last words being "GOD FORGIVE ME!"

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