Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-11-07

ito call &C DR.. Benefits SliOPi anu %
anime some skulls. He According!
went, and in presence of DR.. Benne''
| Captain Kirtly. and one of the Editor
of this paper, passed his opinion uPol
three skulls that were shewn to aliIl.-
IOf these skulls DR.. B. had no previous
knowledge, nor could he have had any
mo intimation was given to him OF tne!l
character, and he proceeded to tnell
Examination as soon as it was told NH
There were any skulls in the place.
The first he described, in substance
as belonging to a being mild, respect
Iful. sly and cautious; man OF accu
rate observation and memory, but o.
little reasoning powers; rather unso'
cial; a treacherous friend, and capable
of cold bIooded cruelty, thong b OF a dis
position by no means violent; In gener
al very cowardIy, and capable OF nc
daring crime, though of mean and das'
tardIy crime he might be guilty OF the
greatest.
This was the skull of Conway, who
was hung, last spring, at Fulton, for the
murder Of Israel B. Grant, and with the
circumstances of which, the public are
familiar.
The individual, to whom the second
skull belonged, was described as hav'
ing been bold, daring and rash; man
who, when excited would resist, attack
or execute his revenge, without regard
to prudence or safety; of social feel
ings. and family affection; Of little sense
of character; of strong devotional ten
dency; Of mechanical skill and mOder.
ate intellect, though better than the
first.
This was the skull of white man.
best known by the name of"Old Sam,
who was executed at this place, a few
years ago, for the murder of Mr..
Rouse in New London, the seat of JUS
tice for Rails county. Before execu.
ton, he confessed his guilt to the Attor-
new who defended him. In open day,
under cover of an unoccupied house he
shot his victim, who was publicly min
Cling with his fellow-citizens.
The indications of the third skull
were pronounced to be, ordinary INTEL
lect; moderate moral sentiments; strong
passions; a disposition far more fierce,
revengeful, violent and implacabIe than
that Of either of the others.
OF this skull little is known. 1t is
that of an Indian, believed TO rave
been ofthe lowry tribe.
Facts like the above ought to 90 far
in establishing the truth Of the science
of Phrenology. Many such examina-
tons Rave been made, and opinions
formed with equal correctness both in
Europe and America. DR.. Spurzheim
in one instance even pronounced upon
brain which he'd been taken out oil
the skull, and taken before him whilst
Ieeturing. If Phrenology then enables
us to infer character with correctness
from an examination Of the skull, il
must be an accurate science, and q
great number of such combining facts
where few exceptions occur, would
present proof, irresistible at least of the
high claims ofthe science.
During the few weeks that DR.. Buc
hannah remained in this place, we be
lieve that his examinations of livins
heads, were quite as convincing ant
satisfactory, to most Of those who wit
messed them. He gave correct opin
ions as tothe prominent points of char
acter; and sometimes delineated will
detailed accuracy. in saying this mucl
for PhrenOlogy we have merely givel
facts which have happened under Ou
own immediate observation, and W.
think il right, that IN our search afte
truth, in all sciences not certain, sucl
facts should be made public, that the
may have their legitimate influence.