Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1841-05-13
D, (CONN.) THURSDAY, MAY II, 1s4l.

stated IN bOrlner paper that IL man named
John White had been hung at Louisville,
KY, for the murder of Messrs. Gwatkin and
Glenn. 1t appears thar the execution was
bungIngfy Performed-the knot Of the rope
slipped up over his chin instead Of under his
cal aud his death, or apparent death, must
nave been eXcrucating. He was cut down
after hanging rs minutes, and his body Civ
Ell over to the doctors for the purpose of ex-
pertinent. The Louisville City Gazette gives
the following interesting account of the as
tonishing and extraordinary result of the ex.
perlments by which the unfortunate man
was restored to life:
| Ihe poles of a powerful Galvanic pile
which had been prepared for the OCCASION
were Immediately applied to him, and to the
unutterabIe 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, universal tremor seemed to
pass over his frame, and fancy, if fancy you
| can. the surprise, the establishment Of all,
when OF sudden he arose upon his bench
to sitting posture, and with great eagerness
| and impotence raised his hand to his neck,
trying TO grasp the scar in his fingers and
tear it from his throat. He first snatched at
it with great rashness, as though the rope
was yet around his neck, and then continued
some moments picking at the seam with his
fingers, as though it was something that ad-
hered to his throat, giving him great uneas-
ness. But this symptom was soon forgotten,
for almost the next moment he rose upon his
feet, raised his arms level with his breast,
and opening his blood shot eyes, gave forth
from his mouth q most terrific screech, after
which his chest worked as if in respiration,
in very violent manner. Every one at
this moment was as mute as death, every
breath was for moment suspended, when
DR.. ID. 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 at
tention to reply to the remark. Every eye
was riveted upon the agitated and shaking
corpse. The operator continued to let upon
it u full quantum of the galvanic fluid, till
the action upon the nerves becoming so pow.
erful that it made n tremendous bound, leap
ing by sort of an imperfect plunge, into
corner of a room, disengaging itself entirely
from the wires which communicated the gal
vaniSEn.
All Immediately drew around the body
For a mopent after its fall, it seemed per-
fectly motfonless and dead. DR.. 3. ap.
preached, and taking hold Of the arm, an
nounced that he thought he felt slight, tho
single beat Of the pulse. The galvanic ope-
rator was just going to arrange his machine
10 give him another charge, when DIR. d.
again exclaimed, he iS-he is alive The
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 seemed to be somewhat agita-
ted his chest heaved his legs trembled,
and he occasionally raised his right arm.-
These effects were supposed to be caused by
the powerful influence fthe galvanic fluid
upon the nerves. None of these movements
were yet supposed attributable 10 the action
of life. 1t was considered that the anima-
| ting 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 otientimes
restored! Then why may be not be resus-
citated were questions mat seemed to en-
gage the minds of all. In the very height of
anxiety and suspense, DR.. ID. 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 !" was the unanimous shout. All
| was the most intense anxiety for some sc.
| conds, when the motion OF his chest, as in
the act of respiration, became visible. His
pulse" said DR.. ID. "does now certainly
beat; 10 J" he at the same instant exclaimed
"he opens his eyes!'
| And horrible, indeed, were those eyes 10
look upon! He rolled them wildly in their
sockets, occasionally closing them, and CIV
ing most terrific scowls. In about five
minutes his breathing became tolerably fire.
quent-probably he would give one breath
| when a healthy man would give four. His
I breathings, however, rapidly increased in
frequency and strength. DR.. ID. began to
speak to him, but he gave no indications that
he heard q word. He looked upon the scene
around him with the most deathly indiffer-
ence, 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 con-
tanning something Of sadness. His action
soon began to take more energetic charac-
ter. He began again TO feel his neck, and
work his body, as though in the severest
agony. Young L., medical student of DIR.
s. approached him. and taking hold Of his
arm and shoulder, White rose upon his feet,
took two steps, being thus supported, and
seated himself in an arm chair. On seating
himself he gave slight grOaD, his muscles
seemed TO relax, and he appeared somewhat
overcome with the exertion he had made
| A bottle of hartshorn was Immediately uppli-
ed to his nose, which revived hiHa much !;
but his life seemed to be that Of IA man much
intoxicated. He seemed, upon one occasion,
10 try TO give utterance TO some feeling, but
| from an unknown cause an Hnpediment, pro-
badly by an accumulation in the threat, oc-
casioned by the execution, he was unable
to give uttcrance TO word. We are satisfi-
ed that he made an effort of this kind, for
Immediately on the cxertiOn he gave Il sor-
| ~ ka ~ tho head which SiunifiP0. If