1314 
Kaspar Hauser. 
Police Officer Wiist said in 1829 that Kaspar, on being asked 
whence he came, replied : “I dare not tell” In 1834 Wist re. 
peated this testimony, and added that when Kaspar Hauser wag 
requested to tell his name he said he must not tell it, which wag 
absurd, as he wrote his name without hesitation, and the name 
was also given in full in the letter he carried. 
Police Officer Roder testified in 1829 that Wiist had never told 
him of Kaspar having said “I dare not tell,” and that he knew 
nothing of such a remark having been made. In 1834 he testi- 
fied that at first he had considered Kaspar Hauser an impostor, 
because when he was asked upon what kind of bed he had 
formerly slept he had answered, ¢Jakobifedern ” (Jacob's feathers), 
the peasant word for straw. Afterwards, when he knew Kaspar 
Hauser better, he did not believe him to be an impostor. Kaspar 
might have learned that word from his jailer, or, what was more 
likely, Von Wessenig’s servant may have used it when he 
allowed Kaspar to lie down on the straw in the stall. Tt is still 
more probable that he never used the word at all 
Policeman Blaimer did not notice Kaspar Hauser’s fatigue in 
the guard-house, as he did not complain, and the only words 
which Blaimer heard him speak were “ham weisen” (“go 
home ”) and “nicht gut” (“not good ”). Even when he was 
threatened with a whipping if he did not tell where he came from 
he made no reply, and did not seem to understand. The general 
belief in the office was that he could say more if he would; but 
Blaimer did not think so, as he could not imagine that any 
person would be able to carry on such an imposture. Blaimer 
went out walking twice a day with Kaspar Hauser while he was 
in the Tower. He had no words to express his thoughts; he 
called all persons “Bua” (boy), and all animals Ross” 
(horse). He repeated the two sentences, “I want to be a 
soldier,” and “ I want to go home,” over and over for everything 
he wished to say, evidently not knowing what the words meant. 
He was bright, and desirous of learning ; in two weeks he could