Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-04-29
REsUsciTATIoN OF AN EXECUTED MUIR
DEFER.

The Richmond Compiler Of the Esd
instant, says We inserted paragraph
yesterday, stating that White, the muir.
dercr OF Gwaikin and Glen, under gal.
vanic operation, after his execution al
Louisville, Ky., on the 9Th inst, had been
brought to life sufficiently TO walk about
the room. 1t is stated tina, he died hard;
owing to something in the arranging Of
the rope, his neck was not broken by the
fall. He was cut down, after hanging
about 20 minutes, and his body given
over 10 the Doctors, for purposes OF ex.
pertinent. The Louisville Gazette gives
the following account of the astonishing
and extraordinary result Of the expcrl-
menis by which the unfortunate man was
restored to life:
The poles of powerful Galvanic pile,
which had been prepared for the occa-
sion, were Immediately applied to him,
and to the unutterable Joy of all present,
with the most perfect success. On the
first application of the fluid to his body,
which was yet warm and trembling, a uni.
versal tremor seemed TO pass over his
frame, and fancy, if fancy you can, the
surprise, the asionishment Of all, when of
sudden he arose upon his bench to a
sitting posture, and with great eagerness
and impotence, raised his hand TO his
neck, trying 10 grasp the scar in his fin.
gers, and tear il from his throat He
first snatched at it with great rashness, as
though the rope was yet around his neck,
aud then continued some moments pick
ing at the seam with his fingers, as though
/ 1t was something that adhered to his
throat, giving him great uneasiness. But
this symptom was soon forgotten, for al
most the next moment he arose upon his
feet, raised his arms level with his breast,
and opening his bood-shot eyes, gave
forth from his mouth most terrific
screech, after which his chest worked as
| if IN respiration, in very violent manner.
Every ono at this minute was as mute as
death, every breath was for moment
suspended, when DIR. d. exclaimed, "by
heavens, he's alive! !" Too great was the
excitement, too intense and absorbing
was the interest and wonder, enjoyed and
felt By all, to allow time or attention for
a reply to the remark. Every eve was
rivettcd upon the agiiated and shaking
corpse. The operator continued TO let
upon it full quantum of the galyanic flu.
i'd, till the action upon the nerves becom-
ing so powerful that it made tremendous
bound, leaping by sort OF an imperfect
plunge, into corner of the room, olsen
gaging itself entirely from the wires,
which communicated the galvanism.
All Immediately drew around the body.
For moment after its fall, Il, seemed per-
fectly motionless and dead. DR.. B. ap.
preached, and taking hold Of his arm, an
nounced that no thought he felt slight,
though single beat Of the pulse. The
galvanic operator was just going TO ar
range his machine TO give him another
charge, when DR.. D. again exclaimed,
"he s-he is alive! he signs! he breathes!"
And true enough, he did sigh: he gave
long gasp, at the same time raising and
gently waving his right hand. HIS signs
continued for couple Of minutes, when
they ceased entirely. His whole frame
chest heaved; his legs trembled and he
occasionally raised his right arm. These
effects were supposed to be caused by the
powerful influence Of the galvanic fluid
upon the nerves. None of these move
ments were yet supposed attributable to
. h. STI lie hat
the animating principle Of nature had left
his Frame and could never be again re.
stored. Why not fare no. people who
have been longer deprived Of life than he
had been, oftentimes restored Then
why may he not be resuscitated! were
questions that seemed TO engage the minds
Of all. Ia the very height of anxiety and
suspense, DR.. d. announced that he could
feel feeble pulsations. A piece of broken
looking glass was Immediately held be-
fore his nostris, which was instantly CO.
vered with cloud. "IIe brea,hes he
breathes !" was the unanimous shout
A was the most intense anxiety for some
seconds, when the motion of his chest, as
in the act of respiration, became visible.
/" His pulse" said DR.. ID. "does now
certainly beat; 10 !' he at the same in
stantly exclaimed, he opens his eyes !"
And horrible, indeed, were those eyes
to look upon He rolled them wildly in
their sockets, occasionally closing them,
and giving most terrific scowls. In abou,
five minutes his breathing became toera-
bly, frequent--probahly he would give one
breath when healthy man would give
four. His breathings, however, rapidly
increased in frequency aud strength. DIR.
d. began to speak to him but he gave no
indications that he heard word. He
looked upon the scene around him, with
the most deathly Indifference, seemingly
alive to nothing. A pin was tried upon
his foot. He moved his foot, though not
very suddenly, and resented the act with
horrible frown, but frown containing
something of sadness. His action soon
began to take more energetic character.
He began again TO feel his neck, and
work his body, as though in the severest
agony. Young L., a medical student of
DR.. S., approached him, and taking hold
of his arm and shoulder, White rose upon
his feet, took two steps, being thus sup.
ported, and seated himself in an arm
chair. On seating himself he gave slight
proaD. his muscles seemed to relax, and