The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-03-12
FIom the Boston Journal.
DIR. ELISHA KENT KANE.

phia, on the Sd Of February, 1922. As boy
he was adventurous, and his collegiate course
suffered s,me postponement while his physical
qualities pressed for their necessary training
and discipline. During his collegiate course
he explored the Blue Mountains Of Virginia as
student Of geology, under the guidance of
Professor Rodgers. In 1s4S he graduated, af-
ter a seven years course OF studies, at the Penn
sylvania Medical University, and soon after he
entered the United States Navy as assistant
surgeon. While acting in this capacity he was
appointed as physician in the first embassy to
China from this country. His naturally ad-
ventureus disposition led him to project visit
to the Interior, but the difficulties were so nu-
merous, that he could not accomplish his pur-
pose as fully as he desired. He, however, sue
ceeded in travelling over large section of the
country; and before his return he visited the
Philippines, Ceylon, and other islands in that
region. and even succeeded in penetrting into
the interior of India. His travels through
these regions were full of adventures and per-
lis; but perils to man Of DR.. Kane's tempera-
ment appear only to have the effect of making
them more attractive. While in India he de-
scend the crater to the Tael of Luzon, suspend
ed by bamboo rope, from projecting crag
which lowered above the interior scoria and
debris, over two hundred feet. This act of
daring nearly cost him his life, for the natives
regarded it as sacrelgious act, which could
only be effaced by the death of the impious Of
fender. DR.. Kane, however, escaped their pi-
Gus vengance, and afterwards went to the Lad
rome Islands with the celebrated Baron Loe, of
Prussia, where he was attacked by whole
tribe of savage inhabitants of those islands.
Against these he successfully defended him.
self, 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, ascend
ed the Nile as far as tie confines Of Nubia,
crossing the desert on his camel, to the basis of
Jupiter ammon, climbing at break-neck risk to
the top stone Of the sounding Colossus of Mem
mon, and exploring the tombs of the Pharaohs
for fortnight or three weeks with Professor
Lepsus and his associates. Wrecked again
while passing down the Nile, and wounded in
an encounter near Alexandra, he pushed across
to Greece, and traversed every scene Of class
ic interest, climbing to the Hippocrene Spring,
and sleeping on the shores of Marathon.
He returned by Italy, France and England,
only to rest a few weeks before cruise on the
coast Of Africa. Renewing here some ac-
quintances which he had formed in Brazil, he
was allowed to inspect the machinery of the
slave trade, and pass up into the interior under
the frmsaD of Desousa, the great Intermediary
tricts and the Brazilian carriers. The coast
fever was his pay for this trip, akd he was
sent home by Commodore Read, invalided.
Imperfectly patched up from the effects of
this visitation, he volunteered for service with
the army in Mexico, and was ordered with des-
patches, on a daredevil race, through the
country our troops had left, to overtake Gen.
Scott. He was given as an escort through
Mexico the notorious company of Col. Do
minguez, who started with him from Vera
Cruz. As they were approaching Nopaluco.
near Puebla, they were informed by Mexican
that large body OF Mexican soldiers were on
their way to intercept them, and at that time
were but short distance off. Dominguez
refused to proceed any farther, and was about
retrea.ing, when DIR. Kane commanded him to
remain with him, threatening the vengeance of
this government il his company should leave
him. Having succeeded in preventing him
from turning his back on the enemy, he finally
induced him to attack them. Placing himself
at the head Of his escort, DR.. Kane took ad-
vantage OF rising ground to sweep upon ths
Mexicans, who were thrown into confusion
BY the intrapidity Of his charge. Rallying
however, they made stout resistance, and It
was not till after severe skirmish that they
were defeated, and the principal part of them
Der Of distinguished officers IN the Mexican
War, who were on their way to join their COM
mander. Among them was Gen Torrejon who
led the cavalry at Buena Vista, and Maj. Gen.
Antonio Gaona and his son. The latter was
dangerously wounded by DR.. Kane, who, in
personal encounter, ran him through the body
with hssword. When The skirmish was over the
Doctor, finding that his antagonist was seri-
ously injured, had recourse to his surgical skill
to save his life, and the result proved that his
skill was Of no ordinary character. With no
other instrument than the bent prong Of a
fork, and piece of pack thread, he tied up
IN artery from which the life, Of the young
man was fast ebbing, and placed him in con-
dition that he could be safely conveyed to Pu-
ebla. - s.
+ No sooner however, had he concluded this
humane act, than he was informed by young
Gaona that he overheard Dominguez say that
he would take the life of his father, because
he had one time put him in prison. DR.. Kane
instantly interfered, placed himself between
his escort and his prisoners, and threatened to
shoot the first man who attempted the life Of
Major Gaona. Dominguez became infuriated,
ordered his men to charge; but the first man of
the company named Pallaseoz, fell before the
fire Of DR.. Kane, who piled his revolver with
fatal effect upon all who came within reach.
With severe lance wound in bis thigh; he
to keep him at bay, and saved his
prisoners from their fury, until he arrived in
Puebla, where they were placed under the
charge Of Colonel Childs. DR.. Kane, whose
wounds wero yery serious was detained here |