The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-01
THE LATEST HOAX.

THE LATEST HOAX.
Extraordinary Case Of Resuseitati0n. stated
in former paper that man named John White had
been hung at Louisville KY for the murder Of Messrs
Gwatkin and Glenn. It appears that the execution
was bungIingy performed-the knot Of the rope slip
ped up over his chin instead Of under his ear and his
death or apparent death must have been excruciating
He was cut down after hanging about 20 minutes and
his body given TO the doctors for the purpose OF
experiment. The Louisville City Gazette gives the
following interesting account of The astonishing and
extraordinary result Of the experiments by winch the
unfortunate man was restored to life:
The poles of powerful Galvanic pile which had
been prepared for the occasion, were Immediately APP
piled TO him. and to the unutterable JOY of all present.
with the most perfect success On the frst apphca-
ton of the fluid his body, which was yet warm and
trembling universal tremor seemed to pass over ms
frame and fancy if fancy you cam the surprise, the
astonishment of all, when of sudden he arose upon
his bench to sitting POSTURE and with great eager
ness and impotence raised his hand to his neck, try
inc to grasp the in his fingers and tear il from his
throat He first snatched at il with great rashness
though the rope was yet around his neck, and then
continued some moments picking at the seam with his
fingers, though it was something that adhered to
his throat giving him great uneasiness But this
symptom was forgotten, for almost the next mo-
ment he rose upon his feet, raised his level with
his breast and opening bis boodshot eyes, gave forth
from his mouth most terrific screech after which his
chest worked if in respiration in very violent
ner. Every at this minute was as mute as DEATH
every breath was for moment suspended, when Dr.
d. exclaimed "by heavens, he's alivep Too great
was the excitement intense and absorbing the
interest and wonder, enjoyed and felt by all to allow
time attention for reply to the rem ark. Every eye
was riveted upon the agitated and shaking corpse
The operator continued to let uponit full quantum
of the galvanic fluid till the action upon the be-
coming powerful that it made tremendous bound,
eaping by sort Of imperfect plunge, into
of the room, dsengagng itself entirely from the wires
which communicated the galvanism.
All Immediately drew around tAe body. For mo-
ment after its fall, it seemed perfectly motonless and
dead. DR. B. approached, and taking hold of his arm
announced that he thought he felt slight, though
single beat of the pulse The gayanic operator was
just going to arrange his machine to give him another
charge, when DR.. d. again exclaimed, che is-he is
alive The signs he breathesP And, true enough,
he did sigh he gave long grasp, at the same time
raising and gently waving his right hand. His signs
continued for couple of minutes, when they ceased
agtated his chest heayed his legs trembled and he
occasionally raised his right These effects
supposed be caused by the powerful influence ofthe
galvanic fluid upon the nerves None Of these move
ments yet supposed attributable to the action of
life It was considered that the animatng principle
Of nature had left his frame and could never be again
restored. Why not Are not people who have been
longer deprived Of life than he had BEEN oftentimes
restored9 Then why may he not he resuscitated
were questions that seemed to engage the minds Of all
announced that he could feel feeble pulsations. A
piece of broken looking glass was Immediately held
before his nostrils which was instantly covered with
cloud. He breathes-he breathes 7 was the unani-
nous shout All was the most intense anxiety for
some seconds, when the motion of his chest in the
act of respiration, became visible. |" His pulse" said
DR.. B., "does certainly beat 10 |" he at the same
instant 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 scows In about
minutes his breathing became toeraby frequent
probably he would give one breath when healthy
man would give four. His breathings, however ra-
pidly increased in frequency and strength. DR.. d.
began to speak to him. but he gave no indications that
ne heard word. He looked upon the scene around
him with the most deathly Indifference, seemingly
alive to nothing. pin was tried upon his foot. He
moved his foot though not very suddenly and resent
ed the act with horrible frown, but frown contain
ing something of sadness. His action began to
take more energetic character. He began again to
feel his neck, and work his body, as though in the
seyerest agony. Young L., medical student of Dr.
s., approached him. and taking hold of his arm and
shoulder, White upon his feet, took two steps,
being thus supported and seated himself in an arm
chair. On seating himself he gave slight groan his
muscles seemed TO relax, and he appeared somewhat
overcome with the exerton he had made A bottle of
hartshorn was Immediately applied to his nose which
revived him much but his life seemed to be that Of
man much intoxicated He seemed, upon one occa-
sion, to try to give uerance feeling but from
an unknown cause, an impedment probably by an
accumulation in the throat occasioned by the exccu.
ton, he was unable to give utterance to a word We
are satied that he made effort Of this kind for i'm
mediately on the exerton he gave sorrowful shake
of the head, which signifed If rightly understood
the language that he meant something which he could
not express sa f
His system was critically examined, and though he
was pronounced to be perfectly alive it announc-
ed by Dr. D. that he could moi live but few minutes,
for congestion of the brain, which had not yet hap
pened, was rapidly taking place. Every method was
adopted to equalze the circulation of the blood and
save the patient from the terrible consequences of SO
sad catastrophe, but in vain The bood-vessels of
the head were enormously dstended and his eyes APP
peared to be balls Of clotted blood His system was
Immediately thrown into direful spasms, and he died
in few minutes in the most excluciating agonies.
Previous to his execution he wrote letter to his
father in which he stated that he was present when
the unfortunate men were murdered that he did not
participate in the act, but compelled to beg his
own life from two men who murdered them He
names the men as Charles Short and Jerry -, Qy2
surname, a hs N1 -' ~