Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-05-05
WONDERS OF MAGNETISM.

John White was executed by hanging, at
Louisville, on the Sth instant, for the crime of
murder committed on two menin fiat boat on
the Ohio river, some few months ago. The
following details of an experiment on the body
after execution, are from the Louisville City
Gazette:
"After hanging about twenty two minutes,
he was cut down and conveyed away to be eX-
perimentcd upon by philosophers and anato-
mists. lie was an excelant subject for eXper-
imenting upon, as the execution was such that
no DISCRIMINATION had taken place. The face !
ofthe corpse did not look half so bad as they |
generally do, and in fact he was considered not
| much different from a man twenty minutes
| drowned.
The'poes of powerful Galvanic pile, which
had been prepared for the occasion, were I'M
mediately applied to him, aud to the Inutterable
low of ali present, with the most perfect sue
cess. On the first application OF the fluid to
his body which was yet warm and rembllng'
a universal tremor seemed to pass over his
frame, and fancy, if fancy you cam the surprise
, the astonshment Of all, when of sudden ne
!. rose upon his bench to a aittng posture, and
with great eagerness and Impotence raised his
: hands to his neck, trying to grasp the scar III
HE fingers and tear it from his throat! lie
first snatched it with great rashness,a though
> the rope was yet around his neck, and then
continued some moments picking at the seam
l. with his fingers, as though it was something
Id that adhered to his throat giving hum great un
easiness. But this symptom was soon forgot
n ten, for almost the next moment, he arose up
a. on his feet raised his arms level with his breas
and opening his blood shot eyes, gave tort
he from his mouth a most terrific screech, ate
r. which his chest worked as fin respiration. Il
= very violent manner. Every one at this nj
n mite was as mute as death, every breath wa
on for a mDment suspended when DR.. ID. eXcla
med. "bv heavens he's alive" Too great wa
IN the excitement, too intense and absorbing wa
ne, the interest and wonder, enjoyed and telt :
all. TO allow time or attention tor reply 10 u
IN remark. Every eye was rivlted upon the az
ION tate5 and shaking corpse. The operator col
tinued to let upon it full quantum OF the ga
in vanic fluid, till the action upon lis nerves
coming so powerful that it made trome
The dous bound, leaping by sort OF lmperie
90, nlunce, into corner of the room, diaengaglI
itsnlf entirely from the wires which commul
the Gated the galvanlsm.
and All Immediately drew around the body. I
A moment after its fall, 1t seemed Perlecty Il
the tioniess and dead. DIR. b. approached
,ck, taking hold of his arm, announced that
tLo,,gbt he felt slight, though single beat
tho mise. The galvanlC operator was just
30, r. grrance his machine to give hum ano
ALS' 81 charge. when DIR. d. exclaimed me Is
10 e olyeI he siphs-he breathes. And,t
is ON he did sigh, he gave long gaspat
AIRED eo,,o time raising and gently waving his n
rked Ind Ind His signs continued for couple
sed: ra;n,tee when they ceased entirely
may -.LoIo tame seemed to be somewhat aglta
,rted H. M;s chest heaved. his legs trembled, ana
Il he OCCASIONALLY raised his right arm. NEST
that Cots were supposed to be caused by the p
orfnI influence of the galvanlc nuld upon
dis uorve None of these movements w we're
writ nrnnosed attributable to the acton o! me-
for a r aG considered that the anlmatng PrilclP
ause, 'ot,,ro had left this fame, and coulu neFe
edeas llae o;n rnstored. Why not! Are not pc
,urity a" haye been longer deprived OF lie thal
n on wiiI - 49,, often times restored! Ihen
,efore lldu W not he yesuscitated! were ques
hia{ oon1ed to engage the minds OF al. 4
unded .nov Leioht of anxiety and suspense ~
,e Sc ononnced that he could feel ieeDe Pu'sd:
ON in n;oce of broken looking glass iinllleu.
read hoId before his nostrils, when was ins.
urt is ,,1r1 with a cloud. he Dred'neI
cause SToatbes." was the unanimous shout a.
On tbo most intense anxiety Tor some Sc
party ','hon the motion of his chest, as Ill tiie
nsufi- ros6iration. because visible: ms Puls ;,
eason- Ds n " does now certainly beat-o
same. IL 80 same instant exclaimed, " ne opei
'elveo. eyes" oro those e
by the ID n nnonl He rolled them wildly IN tnel
, ots occasionally closing them, and glvlns
e-argu- Gus U.s. scowls In about five mnuu
be had Sreath;nu became toeraby trequent-5liP,,
d-the 5ewould give one breath when H bo,Ue;
cket oil would give four. His breathngs IRE stren
n mJ increased, in frequency ana sure. l =.
,lerk. P,u'n beoan TO speak to him. but ne E, 9
mil the "a Is;oot;ons that he heard word ne e
IlluiS" Tho scene around him with u
proyi- Ieathlv indifference, seemingly al'0 ! !
;ng. A pin was tried upon his l9o,,,,
ny HE foot. though not very suddenly,
seu Cd the act with horrible row
announce sewn sa,vr containing something o. sadhes
lbus and action soon began 10 .elAo 81 - fool Of
he Bah oSaracter. He began again to leei h %
zee on Ind work his body, as though N ert
~ anu W. Young L. a medical student
next asooched him and taking hold Of ms !
4 bv II. aPPrv1aaor White rose upon his feet, e
posed to stems being thus supported, ana sesif'
hich it is p IN arm chair. On seating nls9 -
tend. slight groan,his muscles seelneu , y j
TKINS. sis s,osred somewhat overcome WiI
NDIER ~ e,;on he had made bottle Oh haI. S.
les. Immediately aPPieo ~, - nes med 10 be
him much but ms NE see''''0 :