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Kaspar Hauser
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
German youth kept in total isolation
Kaspar Hauser<br>Hauser in 1830<br>Born(1812-04-30)30 April 1812Died17 December 1833(1833-12-17) (aged 21)<br>Ansbach, Bavaria, German Confederation<br>Cause of death<br>Stab woundKnown forClaimed unusual upbringing and subsequent mysterious death
Kaspar Hauser (30 April 1812 – 17 December 1833) was a German youth who claimed to have grown up in the total isolation of a darkened cell. His claims, and his subsequent death from a stab wound, sparked much debate and controversy both in Nuremberg and abroad. Theories propounded at the time identified Hauser as a member of the grand ducal House of Baden, hidden away because of dynastic intrigue. However, there were also allegations that Hauser was an impostor.[1] In 2024, a scientific study ruled out Hauser's princely descent by comparing mitochondrial DNA haplotypes with the House of Baden.
Biography<br>[edit]
First appearance in Nuremberg<br>[edit]
On 26 May 1828, Hauser, then a teenage boy, was found wandering the streets of Nuremberg, then part of the Kingdom of Bavaria, carrying two letters. The first letter was addressed to a Captain von Wessenig, commander of the 4th squadron of the 6th cavalry regiment in Nuremberg. Its heading read:
Von der Bäierischen Gränz
daß Orte ist unbenant
1828
"From the Bavarian border
The place is unnamed
1828"
The anonymous author of this letter said that he had assumed custody of Hauser as an infant on 7 October 1812. The author said he had taught him reading, writing and the Christian religion, but never let him "take a single step out of my house." The letter stated that Hauser would like to become a cavalryman "as his father was." The letter invited von Wessenig either to take in Hauser or hang him.
The second letter was purportedly written by Hauser's mother to his former caretaker. It stated that the boy's name was Kaspar, that he was born on 30 April 1812 and that his deceased father had been a cavalryman of the 6th regiment. Writing analysts in later years concluded that the same person wrote both letters. The line from the letter "he writes my handwriting exactly as I do" led them to assume that Hauser wrote both of them.[2]
A shoemaker named Weickmann brought Hauser to von Wessenig's house. Once there, Hauser only repeated the words "I want to be a cavalryman, as my father was" and "Horse! Horse!" Any attempts at gaining more information caused Hauser to cry or simply repeat, "Don't know." Von Wessenig sent Hauser to a police station, where he wrote his name for the first time. While being examined by police, Hauser showed familiarity with money and the ability to say some prayers and a small measure of reading. However, he answered few of their questions and demonstrated a limited vocabulary.[3] Authorities ultimately decided that Hauser was a vagrant and sent him to prison.[4]
Hauser spent the following two months in Luginsland Tower in Nuremberg Castle, in the care of jailer Andreas Hiltel. Contrary to many later accounts, observers described Hauser as being in good physical condition and able to walk well; for example, he could climb over ninety steps by himself to his room. He had a "healthy facial complexion"[5] and was judged to be approximately sixteen years old but appeared to be intellectually impaired. Mayor Binder, however, claimed that Hauser had an excellent memory and was a quick learner. Various curious people visited Hauser to his apparent delight. He refused all food except bread and water.
Hauser's account of life in a dungeon<br>[edit]
Statue of Hauser, Ansbach, Germany<br>At first, most assumed that Hauser was a person with a developmental disability, who had wandered out of the forest. During the course of many conversations with Binder, Hauser told a different version of his past life, which he later wrote down in more detail.[6]
According to Hauser's account, he had spent his youth living in solitary confinement in a dark cell. He claimed that he found rye bread and water next to his bed each morning. At times, the water would taste bitter and drinking it would cause him to sleep more deeply than usual. On such occasions, upon awakening, Hauser noticed that someone had changed his straw and cut his hair and nails. Hauser claimed that the person he met was a masked man who visited him shortly before his release. The visitor taught him to write his own name, stand and walk. The visitor then...