Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-12-23


/ o. We have already announced the
death of DR.. Wainwright, of New York,
occasioned by the bite Of a rattlesnaks
The following particulars of his death,
from the N Y. Globe, possess thrill
ling interest
"On Thursday afternoon, DR.. VAIN
wright received from brother-in.law IN
Alabama, through one Of our packets,
"A number ofrare plants, Sc.--Ihe produc-
iions OF that section OF the Unlon-and,
probably, for the purpose Of furnishing
subject for more scientific experiments,
rattle snake six feet long, vas contain
ed in the invoice.
The reptile was securely boxed, but
il seems that DR.. W., for the purpose Of
exhibiting it To some friends in the even
ing, took the box to the Broadway House
corner of Grand aud Broadway, where,
knocking off the top, the snake was let
loose upon the bar-room floor. Throw
ing itself into coil, the dangerous
creature Immediately commenced that
low hum, or species OF ringing, mot the
rattle, which Is peculiar to tho species,
and seemed inclined to remain quiet
probably the change of climate produced
a so,t OF torpor, and ii was repeatedly
teased with stick, without beiraying
much viciousness. Indeed one gentle
man ven,ured SO far as TO raise II with
! the toe of his boot ? escaping unsraihed
| After being exposed some twenty
minutes to the gaze OF those present,
/ DIR. Wainwright attempted to return the
snake to the box, and for that purpose,
inconslderately seized the venoInous
thing with his naked hand, when, III an
instant, with only the slightest premoni-
tory rattle, the reptile raised his head,
threw back his upper aw and shucE-
! the iangs entering beiwec thrhngtr, ana
fastening on The INSIDE ol the ring finger
Of the rghi hand.
N Immediate measures were taken to
psevcn, the spread "l the poison through
the s,s'em. The flesh III the nr,ghbpr'
hood of III. wounded pa,t vas cut on'
and DR. WamwiIght removed 1" hI'
house in Crosby street, where oihe
medical aud surgical aid was called
without delay, aud IN few minutes lh
room was filled with hls professional
hiends. among whom were Drs. Whi,a-
kcr, Parker aud Caldwell, Of the In
siilute.
, Energetic means were made use OF to
, countcract the effect Of the venom, bu'
.unaccountably, all known remedies
seemed to be OF no avail, and the entire
arm commenced swelling most iearinl'y
4 At this Iunctufe we are informed tina
= DR.. Wainwright, with much presence {
mind, begged to have an ampn'a'ion
the whole arr performed, but alter coz
suI,ation this course vas deemed inad'isi
c bic, and the victim, enduring the mos
!, excruciating agony, continued to slnl
aud finally expired at half an hour ate
:, idnlght-,he lamp of life going out
u last quietly, and with, apparently, q
struggle.
$ The unhappy man seemed TO posse
: his full faculties almost to ihet last momel
and was perfectly aware Of the fate
y which he was inevitably hastenln!
n Some fifteen minutes before his deceas
4 turning o Il friend who was supportIn
\ him, - MS rs nofIlOI' Shiu Nv, as "
. felt the ext eme pain leaving lis han'
! and the sensation Of ease slowly creeT
E. inr up the arm from the seat OF III
n wound. This is horrible to kno'
,f that death is gradually feeling his wa
to my vi,as That arm is dead alread
aud "-placing the uuinJured hand owe
his heart" the destroyer will soon b
III HERE 80 This acute knowledge
of his sure dissolution, which, as medlc
I'd man, he must have posse ed, could ha'
Il been nought else, than truly fearful
" The body ater death, presented tt
'e usual appearance Of decease from Il
at bite Of those hideous reptiles, 1t be'r
he Gightfully swollen and moilled. lie wi
IN 36 years of age, and has lett vile al
two children, with a large circle
Ct friends, to mourn his early and mos, a
ry onizing death"
Dpr,nruI DE- ITu A man nt ~