A MAN WHO SAYS HE DOESN'T SLEEP.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 35, 9 February 1878, Page 3

A MAN WHO SAYS HE DOESN'T SLEEP.

The man who does not sleep, Saunders, now resides near Parkesburgh, California. Some time m 1861 or 1862, Saunrlers enlisted m the Fourth AVest Virginia Volunteers. For several years he had not slept at all, so he says. But it becoming known direotly m eatap that he made such pretensions, it aroused the curiosity of 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' sleep m endeavouring, to entrap Saunders, but during the wholo time that he remained a member of the Fourth he was never, eauejht asleep. He stood guard night after night, and week after week, -paid by sleepy-headed soldiers to take their 1 turns, but never was caught napping He hauled coal several weeks m succession, only stopping long enough to eat and change horses, and ploughed m the fields with five or i six stalwart men until he wore them out completely, but never seemed to tire. During the year186E he went to Philadelphia, and was examined by the- leading physicians of the country. They sat up wilh him m relays ode five, night and day, and kept up an almost constant stream of conversation with him, and at the expiration, of 29 days discharged him with a certificate, but could give no explanation of his freak of nature. Many stories of the untiring energy and activity of this man are told, and all agree who know him that this antipode of Rip Van Winkle is; the m.ost r sleepless man they ever met. MrSaunders is now about 56 years of age, and says that he has not known what sleep fs for 18 years. He himself cannot account for- it, as he say 8 the change m his physical organisation occurred ■within three days, and that he never was sick m his lif e, a«iid took ntecti. cine 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 years yet. He is conscientiously opposed to making a display of himself, ot nodoubt would long ago. have been before the public as one of the human curiosities of the world.