St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-04-23
DOCTOR KANE.

Elisha Kent Kane was born in Phil
adelphia, on the Sd of February, 1922
SO that at his death he was but 81
years Of age. In lS43 he graduated
after seven years course of studies
at the Pennsylvania Medical Universi
ty, and soon after he entered the Uni
ted States Navy as an assistant sur
geon.
While acting in this capacity he
was appointed as physician in the first
embassy to China from this country.
His natural adventurous disposition
led him to project visit to the interi-
or, but the difficulties were so numCr-
Gus that he could not accomplish his
purpose as fully as he desired. He,
however, succeeded in travelling over
a large section Of the country; and
before his return he had visited the
Philippines, Ceylon and other Islands
Ill that region, and even succeeded in
penetrating into the interior Of India,
his travels through which were full OF
adventures and perils; but perils to a
man OF kanc's temperament appear
onl y to have the effect Of making them
more attractive.
While in India, he descended the
crater of the Tael Of Lcrzon, suspend
ed by a bamboo rope from project
ing crag, which hovered above the in
terror scoria and debris, over two hun
dred feet. This act of daring nearly
cost him his life, for the natives re-
garded it as sacrilegious act, which
could be etlaced by the death of the
suspicious offender. DR.. Kane, how
ever, eluded their pious vengeance,
and afterwards went to the Sandwich
Islands with the celebrated Baron Loe,
of Prussia, where he was attacked by
a whole tribe Of the savage inhabi-
tants Of these Islands. Against these
he successfully defended himself; but
the hardships he and his companion
subsequently underwent We're more
than the latter could endure, and he
sunk under them. Dr. Kane passed
over to Egypt, ascended the Nile as
far as the confines Of Nubia, and re-
manned during whole season among
the ruins Of ancient Egypt; he visited
Greece next, which he traversed on
foot, returning to the United States i'll
1916.
When he arrived, his love Of adven-
ture would not allow him to remain in
active, and he applied, almost immedi-
ately after his return, to the Govern
ment, for q commission to Mexico. II
Failing to obtain this, he accepted an
on board of United |
States vessel, bound to the African
coast. Arriving there, he could not
resist the temptation to see the slave
narts Of Whydah, but was met on his
journey by that terrible enemy of the |
white man, the African fever. He
was brought home in a state of ex-
treme ill-health and emacation; but
almost unable to move, he
made his way to Washington from
Philadelphia, against the earnest wish
OF his family, presented himself with
shaven head and tottering limbs to
President Polk, and demanded what
had before been refused him, com
mission to Mexico. The President
could not deny his request, and in
trusted him with important dispatches
for the Commander-in-chief, General
Scott. He was given as an escort
through Mexico, the notorious compa-
ny OF Colonel Dominguez, who started
with him from Vera Cruz. AS they |
We're approaching Nopaluca, near Pu-
ebla, they were informed by a Mexican
that large body Of Mexican soldiers
We're on their way to intercept them, |
and at that time were but q short dis
tancc off, Dominguez refused to ad-
vance any further and was about re-
treating, when Kane commanded him
to remain with him; threatening the
of his government if his
should leave him. Having
succeeded in preventing him from turn
ing his back ON the enemy, he finally
induced him to attack them. Placin.
himself at the head Of his escort, Mr..
Kane took advantage of rising
ground to sweep down upon the MeNl-
cans, who were then thrown into con-
fusion by the intrepedity of his charge.
Rallying, however, they made a stout
and it was not uutil after
a severe skirmish that they were de-
feated, and the principal part Of them
taken prisoners. They consisted Of a