The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-03-06
Death of DIR. IZane

l'r. Elisha Kent Kane, the distinguished
Arctic cXplorcr, died on the 10th instant. at
Havana, of q disease OF the lungs, contracted
during hIs recent lolnr expedition. Though
only IN his thlrty-fif;h Year, lie had already at
'n'ned world wide reputation Ills has
been m cvcntful life, and whether amid Polar
SHOWS. or the burning snnds of the Tropics he
has exhibited the same noble enthusiasm and in
""nntaole energy of character. lie has fallen
martyr to science but though cut off irr
the bloom Of youth, lie has lived long enough,
t" accomplish the work Of life time. lie has
imm"raIizeI himself us n successful explorcr
III the field of Arctic discovery, and has given
his mamie to that mysterious open sen, which
surrounded by icy barriers cncirces the pole.
The New York Tribune contains the follow;rr
sketch Of his life:
DIR. Kane was born in PHILADELPHIA in tbc
year 1922, and had accordingly inst entered
upon his 35th year lie received Ills uculrmi,.
education at the University of Virginia, and
graduated ms Doctor Of Medicine at the Tni.
versity Of Pennsylvania in 1875 Soon nftcr
that date he entered the United States Navy
rs assistant surgeon, and accompanied the Fl rst
american e'nbassy to China. With his native
thirst for observing the manners and customs
OF strange countries he visited different parts
OF CHINA. the PHILIPPINES, Ccylon, and the iutc.
rior "l India. llcwas the first white person
who descended into the crater of the Tail Of
l.uz"n. accomplishing this enterprise at the
hazard of his life. lie was SUSPENDED sbv n
bamboo rope around his body. from nro,c-
ting craG, more than two hundred feet above
the remains of volcanic cruptions White
bottles OF sulphur"us acid and other specincus
from the mouth of the crater, he was ,lruppoI
up senseless through the scori,r. Unon This
expedition he wns attacked by the ialronce
and savagcs OF the Nexrot race, and exposed
10 otner hardSinps which proved fatal TO his
travelling companion, Baro Loe of Prussia AZ
ter this he travelled n considerable portion of
India, visited Ceylon, asscnded tile Nile to the
confines OF Nubia, and passed season in Epvpt
lie travelled through Greece on foot. and re-.
turned IN 1916 to the United States lie wns
immediately ordered TO the Coast of Africu. and
sailing i'll the frignte United States v,s;,.l ill.,,
slave factories from Cane Monrt to the R;var
Bonny, and obtained free access to the boro.
c""ns "t Dah",ncy, Returning home in n prc.
cario'S state of health, he recovered sufficiently
to visit Mexico during the war rs yoluntoer
ne succeeded in delivering dispatches from
'he freS'dent to the Commander-in. Chief. cs
G"iteu ,oH INC notorious spy company of the
br'Sand Dominsncz, and after getting The bet.
ter OF detachment of Mexican soldiers whom
thcy encountered at Nopalucn he was forced
10 combat his companions single handed in
ORDER to save the lives of his prisoners, General
Ierrnjon, General Gaona and others. from tl,cir
Jury On the return of peace, he was ordered
upon the Coas: Survey under Prof. Bache. and
was thus employed in the Gulf of Mexico
when he volunteered his services to the first
|rinnch Expedition in 1850 He was accented
as senior surgeon and naturalist of the sound
ron, and entered upon his duties with an en-
'h'sinsn sngarity, and power Of endurance
which admirably prepared him for the more
arduous responsibilities of the second EypcJi
tI"n the results of which are before the world
In hls private character DR.. Kane displayed
nsinEuiarly lovely and nctractive union Of
qualities in striking contrast with the bolducss
nnd resolution which impclIed him on his CA
recr OF adventure. The narrative of his cxpc
ntlons presents delightful illustration of his
personal tracts. In this respect they possess
Tie charm of unconscious autobiography. iii,
modest simplicity, his refined tastes, lis tender
mes, ness OF feeling, and his almost feminine syn,pa-
tines, are .Perpetually revealed in connection
With AS dauntless courage and constancy as
ever ncrved heroic heart to lofty proves
llencc, the magnetic power which he excrted
over the companions Of his enterprise, winning
ihcir romantic attachment, and making himself
| centre of light and encouragement amid the
darkest moments of the forlorn hope in the
Arctic seas. Whatever the scientific results Of
his perilous voyage, they are of still higher
| significance in the example they have presented
OF noble, persistent disinterested and undis-
mayed manhood.