The native American., 1837-12-23


t at 1882 called to mind Somnerafs account {
fishes living in the hot springs OF the Manlllas
+ water at a temperature OF upwards OF l5O0; an
taxed my memory to recollect the names OF tn
plants which the same writer mentions as flourish
ling in the island of Lucon, with their roots IN
thermal rivulet so hot, that the mercury plunge
in its waters rose to l74o. considered that
perhaps, the cause of the heat now surroundin,
me was no more than the reverberation OF so gTea
body of flame as that overhead OH the metal, ant
that as the flame diminished in volume, which
it plainly did every minute, the heat OF the cop
per might be expected to abate. But the contn.
ually rising temperature of the air, indicated as
it too plainly was by the thermometer which
held in my hand, soon deprived me of the vague
comfort of such a surmise. next endeavored to
form some estimate of the heat the metal must ac-
quire before the contained air would rise to tenn
perature of $500, which ! supposed it possible
that might be able to bear; but, what with anxi.
ETY. and confusion, could make no approximation
to an answer. These various processes of thought
had, however, restored certain degree of pres
ence of mind, as may be judged from the fact,
that dreadful as the prospect was which had be-
fore me, was calm enough to make several me-
moranda on my tablets, with the purpose of at
taching them to weight to be tied to the end of
i my handkerchief, and flung out in the hope of
Il
l have now before me; / have preserved them
ever since, as a memorial of moments such as
trust have fallen to the lot of no other human be-
! ing. | transfer the memoranda UerbGtim. 1t
will be seen that many of the words are but half
written, and that in places entire words have
been omitted but if any one would try the expe-
riment Of writing in such situation, dare say
| his composition would be scarcely more correct.
| began thus:--
| am Doctor -------- of $500 st. If any one
finds this, come to the copper in the new build
ing, where am burning to death for want OF a
ladder. Half-past IL o'clock. Haste! haste!
| 1.-TWO such memoranda as this i had already flung
out by weights attached to my suspenders, but
they seem to have fallen in the flames.
! My will is in the upper left hand drawer OF the
ment of my papers. wish all the papers rela-
ting to rs business to be burned with several
other memoranda relating to my private affairs,
which omit.
i am wrapped in cloud of steam from my wei
clothes. The thermometer stands at 1902. 1t is
now 26 minutes to o'clock. The air is suf,o-
catingly hot | am drenched in perspiration.
will note all can.
Is m. to o'c. Therm. 100. IL m. 1892.
i 10 m. 1852! This is horrible. can see the
mercury mounting in the. tube. The moisture
from my clothes has all exhaled. They are now
as dry as finder, and hot and hard to the touch.
II minutes past o'c. Therm. l7Oo. Have
taken off both my coats and laid them over thu
hole--the rush of air from it agitated the hot at
mos phere, and made it intolerable.
i s m. past o'c. Thenn. I77o. My watch
burning-hot. Have taken it out my fob. The
pencil case begins to feel hot in my fingers.
Strange to say, my body is still cool! --- s
theory about the rad[ iation of heat must be err
roneous.
Is m. past &C. Therm. 1862. l6 m. past
l. Therm. 2OOo! Have laid off every thing but
my boots: could not bear the touch of any thing.
Breathe cooler on exhal atom than on inhalI a.
ton.
Thermometer 21Oo. Watch stopped, owing
to expan sion of metal. Flame overhead de-
creasing. Light failing. Can see part of the cop
per changing to dull red Water would boil
now where i hold the pencil in my fingers. But
for the rubbish, my clothes on which | stand
would take fire. have taken off my boots:
the metal heels have left their mark singed in the
cloth.
200. am to be roasted alive. My last
wishes are with -- and the dear ones. Oh,
my God, have mercy on me, and support her!
| shall suffer greater pain than any other man but
l PhalI arts. dead OK would be baked if hung
[[where1 now stand.
] 2280. The soles of my feet are blister ing. ]
One spot Of the copper is quite red-hot. My
vital $ are turning to sweat. Gracious God, how
long is this to last! / must shrivel soon now.
God grant that | may die before the hot metal
touches me! Oh my dearest --
1922. Whoever finds this, take it to Mr.. $1,000
of -- ST., and leave all to his dis cretion .
The thermometer burns my hand-I have dropped
| it, and it is broken. The heat increas[ esl. The
smell of the metal is suffocating. Unjust stop.
| The heat has increased very much l can
hold the tablets but little longer My vitals are
drying up. The persp[ iration is coming slow
ly. am blistering all over! Good God, what
have done! (erased). Have mercy on my soul
for Christ's sake-O God, have mercy on my
soul | die, forgiving all my emf emies
With almost the last effort was capable Of
making, put the tablets, with heavy piece o.
mortar (bM for the mortar / aoould haze beer
burned to the knees achere stood into the enc
of my handkerchief, and flung it with allmy fore.
out Of the mouth of my fiery prison. The agony
| endured in moving my naked arm rapidly
4 through the hot air, was almost insupportable;
was like stirring boiling water with it. So grea
was the pain that had almost tainted; and whe
| felt the sickness and giddiness that precedes
Il sWOOn. / was almost grateful for IL: as I kney