A MAN WHO DOES NOT SLEEP.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 174, 9 November 1877, Page 6

A MAN WHO DOES NOT SLEEP.

Another wonder, in the shape of » sleepless man, has been found in America. A Snn Francisco paper states that his mime is Saunders, and he now resides near Parkcsbury, California. 6ome time in 1861 or 1872, Shu riders enlisted in the Fourth West Virginia Volunteers. For several years he had not slept at all, so he says. But it he coming- known directly in camp that he, made such pretensions, it, aroused tincuriosity oi' many of the men and officers, and they set a watch upon him. A colonel said that he and many others lost a great many nights 1 sleep in endeavouring to entrap Saunders. but during the whole time that he remained a member of the Fourth he was never onughr asleep, He stood guard night after night, and week after week, paid by sleepy-headed soldiers to take their turns, but nnver was caught napping, He hauled coals several weeks in sue cession, only stopping long enough to ext and change horses, and ploughed in the fields with five stalwart, m.n until he wore them out completely, but \ - itnever seemed to tire. ] luring the year 18(53, he went to Philadelphia, and was examined by the leading physicians of the country. 'I'lie.y sat up with him in relays of five night and day, and kept up an almost cons rant stream of con versation with him, and at the expiration of 29 days discharged him with a certificate, but could o-ive no explanation of this freak of nature. Many stories of the untiring energy and ac tivit.y oi' this man are told, and :»1) agree who know him that this nntipode of of Kip Van Winkle is the most dee pies,man they ever met. Mr Saunders is now about 56 years of age, and saythat he has not known what sleep is for 18 years. He himself cannot account for if, as he says the change in bis physical organisation occurred within three days, and 'hat he never was sick in his life, and took medicine but once, and that was when he had catarrh, about three years ago. He is a hale, hearty man, and bids fair to live many J years yet. He is conscientiously opposed to making a display of himself, or no doubt would long 1 ago have been before the public as one of the human curiosities of the world.