Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-07-09
Singular Case of Endurance.
Twenty-Five Days Without

Mr.. Ellis, of Henrietta, Monroe county, cut
his throat about two months since. He
died on the goth. The Rochester Demo
crat says: We learn that Mr.. Ellis, of
Henrietta, died on Sunday night, shortly
after Q o'clock. For several days pevious,
he appeared to decline more rapidly than
he had done since the first reaction from
the effects of his dreadful wound. He had
taken little nourishment, and at times his
mind appeared to lose its grasp of earthly
things, and ho spoke of "wanting to 60
home" These wandering flights were
temporary, however, and he recognized
persons readily at other times. His death
was calm and easy, the physical powers
ceasing from gradual exhaustion. About
the first sickness which Mr.. Ellis had expe-
rsanced, was occasioned by severe cold
taken last winter in clearing up new piece
of land on his farm. From this he did not
appear to entirely recover, his brain being
apparently slightly affected by it.
Last April, he received an offer for the
purchase Of one-half of the farm on which
be resided-one of the best in that locality,
about one hundred acres in extent, with a
handsome dwelling house upon it. He ac-
cepted it, but after closing the bargain, he
reflected upon it a good deal, and came to
the conclusion he had parted with the land
for less than its value. This troubled him
exceedingly, and deprived him of cheerful
ness by day and rest at night On the
night preceding the first of April, he was
unusually disturbed, and walked the house
continually. In the morning he went out
into the orchard near the house, and cut
his throat, severing the windpipe, and
making ghastly wound.
His son followed him, anxious respecting
his state of ming, and found him lying on
the ground, apparently dying. The old
gentleman was removed to the house, and
physician called, who ascertained that
the principal veins were not severed, but
considered that his death must ensue with
in few hours. He continued to live, how
ever, without taking particle of nourish-
ment for three weeks and four days, when
one of the family, responding to his entrea-
ties for food, gave him piece of potato,
which she was preparing for the table
He held it in his mouth for while, but
was unable, of course, to swallow it. This
seemed to satisfy his immediate craving,
and the experiment was repeated. A few
days afterward, he said be would like to get
up and sit at the table with the family, at
dinner, and was assisted to do so. A lit
tie clam soup, of which he was very fond,
was given him, and small portion may
have found its way into hisistomach-the
greater part, however, oozed out of the orifce
in the neck, which never closed up entirely.
Some three weeks since, DR.. Hazeltine, as
sisted by DR.. Moore of this city, inserted a
tube into the gullet, through which liquids
were conducted into the stomach; and this
appeared to revive his wasting strength
But he has never exhibited any great de-
sire TO live, and had prepared his mird for
the great change, which was evidently ap-
preaching. This singular case has appear
ed to call for more than usual mention,
and we have accordingly stated it at some
length.