Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-11-17
Sketch OF the Life of DR.. Kane.


! We consider this a particularly appropriate time
to give brief sketch Of the life Of DR.. Kane. now
that he is before the world in more conspicuous
position than he has ever occupied before. He was
born in Philadelphia. on the 81 OF February, ls.2
So that he is at present. about Lrty-three years old
In 1913 he graduated after a seven years course
Of studies, at the PENNSYLVANIA Medical University
and soon after he entered the United States navy
as assistant surgeon--W nile acting i'll this capacity
he was appointed as physician in the first embassy
to China from this country His naturally adyen-
turous disposition led him TO project visit to the
interior. but the difficulties were IS numerous that
he could not accomplish his purpose as fully as he
/ desired. He, however succeeded i'll travelling
over large section of the country and before his
return he visited the Philippines Ceyon and other
islands in that region and even succeeded in pene-
trating into the interior of India his travels through
which were full of adventures and perS but per-
| lis to man of DR.. kanes temperament appear
only to have the effect of making them more at
| tractive While in India, he descended the crater
| Of the Tae Of Lerzon, suspended BY a bamboo
| rope from projecting crag which lowered above
| the interior scoria and debris, over two hundred
/ teet.-ThiS act of daring nearly cost him his life,
! for the natives regarded ii as sacrilgeous act,
which could only be effaced by the death of the
their pious vengeance, and afterwards went to the
| Sandwish Islands with the celebrated Baron Loe,
| OF Prussia where he attacked by whole
| tribe Of the savage inhabitants OF those islands.
Against these he successfully defended himself :;
but the hardship he and his companion subsequently
| underwent were more than the latter could endure,
and he sunk under them. DR.. Kane alone passed
over to Egypt assembled the Nile as far as the con-
fines of the Nubia and remained during whole
season among the ruins of ancient Egypt, in anti
| quarian research. Leaving Egypt, he visited
Greece next which he traversed on foot, returning
to the United States in 1916. When he arrived
his love of adventure would not allow him to re-
main inactive. and he applied, almost Immediately
after his return, to the government for commits
sion to Mexico. Failing to obtain this, ne accepted
an appointment on board of United States YES
sell bound to the African coast. Arriving there, he
could not resist the temptation to see the slave
narts of Whvdah, but was met in his journey by
that terrible enemy of the white man, the African
fever He was brought home in a state of extreme
i'll health and emaciation; but although almost I'M
able to move, he made his way to Washington,
from Philadelphia, against the earnest entreates OF
his family, presented himself with shaven head and
totterng limbs to President Polk, and demanded
what had before been refused him, commission
to Mexico The President could not deny his re-
|
for the Commander-in-Chief, General Scott He
was given as an escort through Mexico the motor
ious company of Colonel Dominguez, who started
with him from Vera Cruz. As they were approach.
ing Nopaluca near Puebla, they were informed by
Il Mexican that large body of Mexican soldiers
were on their way to intercept them, and at that
time but short distance off-Dcn,ingneZ refused
to proceed any further and was about retreating
when Dr. Kane commanded him to remain with
him. threatning the vengeance Of his government
if his company should leave him. Having succeed
ed in preventing him from turning his back to the
enemy, he finally induced him to attack them. Pla
cling himself at the head of his escort, DR.. Kane
took advantage of rising ground to sweep dowr
upon the Mexicans, who were then thrown into con
fusion by the ntrepdity of his charge Ra!ying
however, they made stout resistance, and it wa.
not until after severe skrmsh that they were de-
feated, and the principal part of them taken pris
oners These consisted of number of dstin
guished officers in the Mexican army, who were or
their way to join their commander. Among then
was General Tooreon, who led the cavalry at Bu
ena Vista, and Major General Antonia Gaona ant
his son. The latter Was dangerously wounded by
DR.. Kane. who in personal encounter, ran hin
through the body with his sword. When the Skin
mish was over, the Doctor finding that his antago
mist was Seriously injured, had recourse to his sur
gcal skill TO save his life, and the result provet
that it was of no ordinary character. With M
other instrument than the bent prong OF a fork ant
piece of pack thread, he tied up an artery from
which the life of the young soldier was fast ebbins
and placed him in condition that he could BE-
conveyed safely to Puebla. No sooner, however
had he concluded this humane act than he was in
formed by young Gaona that he overheard Domin
guez say that he would take the life of his father
because he had at one time put him in prison. DR.
Kane instantly intefered, placed himself between
his escort and his prisoners and threatened to shoe
the first man who attempted the life of Major Ga
ona.' Dominique became lflrated, ordered hi;
men to charge; but the first man of the conlpa
nv, named Paascoz, fell before the fire Of Doctor
Kane who Piled his revolver with fatal effect upor
all who came within his reach.-With severe
lance wound in his thigh, he managed to keep then
at bay and saved his prisoners from their fury unit
he arrived at Puebla where they were placed un
der the charge of Col. Childs. DR.. kage- whose
wounds were very serious, was detained here fo
many days during which he was attended anG
nlrsed with the most tender care by the family OF
Major Gaona. who is now among the most ardent
friends and admirers of our noble and gifted coun
tryman. There is one thing in this romantic ad-
venture which we should not omit to mention. DR.
Kane thought, and still thinks. more Of the surg
cal skill which he displayed at that skrmsh than
of his capturing the prisoners Or defending then
from the treachery of his escort.