The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-27

THE LATEST HOAA.
Extraordinary Case Of Resuseifafion.-We stated
in former paper that a man namsd John White hsd
been hung al Louisville KY, for the murder Of Nessrs
Gwatkin and Glenn. Il appears that the execution
was bunginaIy pe1formed--the knot OF the rope sup
ped up his chin instead Of under his ear and ms
death, apparent death must have been excruciang
He was cut down after hanging abou. % minutes ana
his body given TO the doctors for the purpose OF
experiment The Louisville City Gazette gives 'ns
following interesting account Of the astonishing ana
extraordinary result Of the experiments by when the
unfortunate man was restored to life;
The poles Of powerful Galvanic pile, which had
been prepared for the occasion, were Immediately APP
piled 10 him. and to the unuterablc JOY Of all present,
with the most perfect On the first appllca-
ton Of the fluid 10 his body, which was yet warm and
trembling, universal uemor seemed 10 pass over MS
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 eager
ness and Impotence raised his hand TO his neck, try
ing 10 grasp the in his fingers and tear from his
throat He first snatched at il with great Iashness as
though the rope was yet around his neck, ana theh
continued some moments picking at the seam with ms
fingers, as though il something that adhered to
his throat, giving him great uneaslness. But TINS
symptom soon forgotten, for almost the next mo-
men he upon his feet raised his arms level with
his breast and opening his bloodsho eyes gave forth
from his mouth most terrific screech, after which his
chest worked in respiration in very violent man
ner Every at this minute 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 attention for reply TO the ,rk Every eye
rveted upon the agitated and shaking corpse.
The operator continued to let upon it full quantum
of the gayanic fluid till the action upon the be-
coming powerful that it made tremendous bound,
leaping by a Of imperfect plunge into a corner
Of the room dsengaging itself entirely from the wires
which communicated the galvanism.
All Immediately drew around the body For mo-
men after its fall it seemed perfectly motionless and
dead. DIR. b. approached and taking hold of his arm,
announced that he thought he Eel, slight, though
single beat Of the pulse. The galvanic operator
just going TO arrange his machine to give him another
charge, when Dr. y. again exclaimed, "he is-he is
alive he signs he breathcsl" 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
entirely. His whole frame seemed to be somewhat
agtated his chest heaved his legs trembled, and he
occasionally raised his right These effects
supposed TO be caused by the powerful influence ofthe
galvanic fluid upon the nerves. None o. these
mens yet supposed attributable to the action Of
life. II considered that the anmating principle
Of nature had left his Frame and could be again
restored. Why not Are not people who have been
longer deprived of life than he had been, oftenmes
restored2 Then why may he not he resuscitated
questions that seemed to engage the minds of all
In the very height Of anxiety and suspense, DR.. b.
announced that he could feel feeble pulsations. A
piece Of broken looking glass was Immediately held
before his nostrs which instantly covered with
cloud. He breathes-he bTeathes 7 was the unani-
nous shout. All was the most intense anxiety for
seconds when the motion Of his chest, as in the
act of respiration became visible. His pulse said
Dr. b., does now certainly beat; o!" he at the
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 terrific scowls In about
minutes his breathing became toeraby frequent
probably he would give breath when healthy
man would give four. His breathings however, ra-
pldly Increased in frequency and strength. DIR. ID.
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 pin tried upon his foot He
moved his foot, though not very suddenly, and
ed the with horrible frown but frown contain
ing something Of sadness His action soon began to
take more energetic character. He began again to
feel his neck, and work his body, though in the
severest agony. Young L., medical student of DR..
81 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 a slight groan his
muscles seemed 10 relax, and he appeared hat
overcome with the exerton he had made. bottle Of
revived him much but his lie seemed to be that Of
man much intoxicated He seemed upon one occa-
son. to try to give uterance some feeling but from
an unknown cause, an impeachment, probably by an
accumulation in the throat occasoned by the exccu-
tion, he was unable to give utterancc to a word. We
are satfed that he made effort of this kind for i'm
medatey on the exertion he gave a sorrowful shake
OF the head, which signifed, if rightly understood
the language that he meant something which he could
not express
His system was critically examined and though he
was pronounced to be perfectly alive it was announc-
60 by Dr. ID that he could moi live but few minutes
for congestion of the brain, which had not vet hap,
pened, was rapidly taking place Every method was
adopted to equalizc the circulation of the blood and
save the patient from the terrible consequences Of so
sad catastrophe but in vain. The blood vessels Of
the head were enormously dstended and his ewes an
pearcd to be balls of cotted blood. His system was
Immediately thrown into direful spasms and he died
IN few minutes in the most exciucialing agonies
Previous to his execution he wrote a letter 10 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 conn clled to beg his
own liie from two men who murdered them He
names the men as Charles Short and Jerry -, Qy?
surname