Demoine courier., 1855-11-01

Sketch Of the Life and Services OF
Doctor Kane.

before Tie world IN q mere conspicuous
position than he has ever occupied be
tore. He was born in Philadel phia, on
The Sd day Of February, 1922, so that
lie is at present, about thirty three years
old. 10 ls43 De graduated, after a sew
en- years course OF studies, at the Penn
sylvania Medical University. and soon
after he entered The United States navy
rs assistant. surgeon. While acting in
This capacity he was appointed as ply
sician in the first embassy 10 China from
this country. His naturally adventurous
disposition led him lo project a visi, to
the interior. but the difficulties were SO
numerous that he could mol accomplish
he purpose as fully as he desired. He,
however, succeeded in travelling over a
large section of the country; and before
his return he visited the philippines,
Ceylon and other islands in that region,
and even succeeded IN penetrating into
The interior OF India. his travels through
which were full Of adventures and periIs
but Perils 10 a man of Doctor Kane's
temperament appear only TO have The ef-
feet of making them more attractive.
While in India. he dcscendt d the cra,.
CT of the Tael OF Lerzon. suspended oy
a bamboo rope from a projecting crag
which lowered above the interior scaria
and debris, over Two hundred feet.
This act of daring nearly cost him his
life. FOR lie natives regarded it as a sac
religious act, which could only be efTac
ed by the death Of The suspicious often.
der. DR.. Kane, however, eluded their
pious vengeance, and af,erw ards went 10
tie Sandwich Islands with the celebra,.
ed Baron Loe, of Prussia, where he was
attacked by a whole tribe Of the savage
inhabilQnts' Of those Islands. Against
these he successfully defended himself;
but The hardships he and his companion
subsequently, underwent, were more than
the latter could endure, and he sunk un
der them. DR.. Kane alone passed over
] to Egypt, assembled The Nile as far as the
confines of Nubia, and remained during
a whole seaso among the ruins OF anci.
en-. Egypt, in antiquarian research
Leaving Egypt, he visited Greece next,
which he lraversed OR foot, returning to
the United States in 1876. When he
arrived. his love Of adventure would no,
allow HIM 10 remain inactive, and he ap.
piled, almost immediately after his re,u.n,
10 the Government! for a commission 70
Mexico. Failing 10 obtain this, ne ac-
copied ali appointment on board of a
United States vessel, bound to the Aft.
can coast.
Arriving there, he could not resist the
temptation to see the slave marts Of Why.
dab. but was met on his journey BY the
terrible enemy Of the white man, tie AZ
rican fever. He was brough. home 40 q
state of extreme i'll health and enacialion;
but although almost unable TO move, he
made his way TO Washington, from Phi
Iadelphin, against the earnest enlreaiies
Of his family, presented himself with
shavcn head aud toliering limbs to Pre-
s,dens Polk, and demanded what had be-
fore been refused him, a commission TO
Mexico. The President could no! deny
his request, and entrusted him with i'm.
por'nnt dispatches FOR the Commander
IN Chief, General Scott. He was given
as an escort through Mexico tho nolori.
Gus cornpan- of Col. Dominguez, who
started with him from Vera Cruz. As
they were approaching Nopaluea, near
Pueb!a, they were informed BY a Mexi
can that a large body Of Mexican soldiers
were on tSeir way 10 intercept them,
and at tina! time were bI, a short distance
off. 81 ls
D%omingusz refused 10 proceed any
iu!ther mud was abou; retreating, when
DR.. Kane commanded him 10 remain
with him, threatening the vengeance, 0!
his government, if his company should
leave han. Having succeeded in pre-
venting him from turning his back on
the enemy, he finally induced him to
attack them. Placing himself ct the head
of his escort, DR.. Kane took advantage
OF a Using ground 10 sweep Down upon
the Mexicans, who were then thrown in
10 confusion by the intrepidiiy of his
charge. Rallying, however they made
a siou; resistance, and it was not until
after . severe ski,mish tina. they were
defeated, and the principal par. of them
taken prisoners These consisted OF a
number OF distinguished officers in the
Mexican army. who were on their way
20 Join heir commander. Among them
was Gen Torrejou. who led the cavalry
a. Buena Vista, and Major General An.
tonic Gaona and his son. The latter
was dangerously wounded by Dir. Kane,
who, in q personal rencounter, ran him
through the body with his sword.-l
When the skirmish was over the Doctor,
finding tina; his aniagonis. was seriously
injured, had recourse to his surgical skill
10 savo his life. and the result proved
thu, il was Of no ordinary character.
With no other instrument than The
bent prong Of a fork and a piece OF pack
ihfead, he tied up an arier Y from which
the life Of the young soldier was las, etb.
ing. and placed him in a condition .has
lie could be conveyed safely to Puebla.
No sooner, however, had he concluded
this humane act, than he wos informed
BY young Gaona that he overheard Do
mingusz say he would take the life Of his
father. because he had. at one time. put
linn in prisnn n Kane ipet.,,lx ~ |