The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-01
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.
Horrible Euferings and Death of a
a Young Man:

On Tuesday evening, upon leaving friend, be
casually informed us that he was going to sit up
with mutual acquaintance In the Third District,
who had been quite III for several days. We
parted, not thinking any moro of the matter until
yesterday morning, when our friend called upon
u.s. stating that the case Of the sick man was cu-
rious and desperate one, perplexing bis physl.
Clans. Drs. Eugene Lamirod and Otto v. Vein.
near st. Anthony.
Having to make our daily cal at the Third Dis.
trict station induced by curiosity at the few pre-
liminary stat,ment. Of friend. we consented to
take the cars and ride down to the residence of
the patient, brief history Of whom We viii frst
give. CASTOR Luylsy, the unfortunate young man,
whose singular illness and death have to chron-
icle, was q Frenohmsn by birth, and born In
Nantes, France, of we'll to do parents, his father
being an extensive dealer In French linens. He
received q fair education ct the schools Of the
place Of his nativity, and exhibited great dispo
stion for mathematics and drawing, In which
by two years travel in Europe. aud at the COM
mencement Of our war, about seven years ago,
came to New York In the hope OF obtaining po.
stion in the Federal army, and promoting his ac-
quirements; but failing in this he came to New
Orleans. and was for several years lucrativey
employed in drafting plans for our principal auc.
tioneers, and otherwise exercising his industry
He was good.looking blonde young fellow, very
intelligent and sober in his habits, with one ex.
be drank excessively, although he was
never known TO use any other liquor,
tobacco in any shape or form. and never
showed signs Of intoxicstion. Luylay was knotcn
to have absorbed in a single day fourteen bot
ties Of claret at his meals, no account being kept
of what he may have drank at other times
About two years ago bis passion for wine began
TO tell upon him mentally and physically until he
disappeared from the sphere OF his former ssso-
ciates. From time to time he was heard of as Q
hanger on at q one.horss grocery store, at the
corner of Bagatelle and Humanity streets, kept by
a.gressy and portly member Of the African race
named Gros Louis or Big Louis, who assisted
CASTOR the best he could, In recompense for the
menisl services which he performed about the
shop. Luylay was reported in wretched con-
dition, his appearance showed evident signs OF
bloatedness and yet no account could be given OF
the cause inssmuch as his purse did not permit him
to purchase liquor. Of which there was none for
sale at the GROCERY, and Gros Louis himself, never
drinking wine at his table, could much less afford
to supply his protege with the object OF his fond.
ness. Besides Luyay was never out Of ight of
the grocery except to go to his room on White
street, opposite Union square. On Wednesday
OF last week, however, Luylay, who
had been left in the shop, was detected by Nine.
Louis actually drinking from i've gallon can
which contained coal oil or kerosene. part Of the
ton left the store and was not heard OF until last
Saturday, when be was reported quite Ill, having.
among other things, lost the sense of hearing to
considerable extent. He suffered greatly from
interior pain OF an acute character. In company
with our friend, we reached the residence of Luy-
lay Yesterday. The building was one of those
red painted kitchens standing back few yards In
a picket inclosed lot, and was apparently Of re-
cent construction. His room, which was chsrita-
bly, placed at his disposal by an old woman named
Florestine Treme, who rented the kitchen, was on
the second floor. and presented s1ch an appear
ance Of poverty that it was heartrending to look
upon. The patient was lying on an old single
yellow pine bed, clean withal, and when we en-
tered, recognizing our friend, looked upon him
most pite0usly, without, however, saying word.
Since 8 O'Clock, when our friend left him, the
pain had changed its character, and the patient,
we were told by DR.. Lsmirod and MI.
Tener, druggist, residing In the neighborhood,
had not changed his position, he having lost all
control of his limbs. The pain consisted now
of q stinging sensation In spots about the body.
although, in his own words, circular combs. inside
his flesh, at the lower extremities especially were
being driven with the points outwardly, and the
stngiDg increased In intensity until 1t became so
excrucatng that we left the scene promising to
return in order not to hear the piercing shreks OF
poor Luylay. Walking down stairs with DR..
Lsmirod I'VE asked him II he could account for the
strange disease. The doctor answered simply:
"J'u perds mon Latin. l have never met with
any thing similar during twenty seven years OF con.
stant practice" The only treatment which had
been resorted TO was the application Of wet COM
presses upon the whole surface OF the body.
Soothing solutions were also administered, all OF
which seemed to have not the least effect. This
was about half.past ii o'clock. About l o'clock
we returned to Union Square to witness one OF the
most horrible sights that has ever como within our
experience. Luylay was now stretched upon the
bare floor in perfect state of nskedness. his eyes
almost out Of their orbits, his whole frame dis
torted, and the body in curious state OF ebuli.
tiop-we might state, the flesh much swollen,
and perfectly translucent and the blood coursing
In the veins seeming to be rushing through them
abnormal appearance, seemingly filled with
foreign globular bodies The epidermis 10 spots
varying from the size of pins head to that OF a
small apple, would become inflated and suddenly
the blisters would collapse, very like as the bub.
bles on the surface Of boiling pot Of starch or
other thickened liquid. As the blisters subsidized
they left on their surface hot liquid Of yellowsh
red color which trickled down the sides OF his
body, and stained the floor, the idea OF wiping 1t
off having been abandoned, owing to the copious'
ness of the flow. To remain in q room with such
sight In view was more than we could do and we
retired once more, to return, however, about
O'Clock, upon being informed that life was ex-
stnct IN poor LuyIsy; During g our our ABSENCE \; sas
of blood or liquid matter, become perfectly dried
up and shrunken and as black as charcoal. About
six o'clock in the afternoon the deputy Coroner ar
rived on the spot, but upon Hooking at the body
and being told OF the case dsbeleved the state.
ment, even after touching the body which left its
| charred marks upon his hands.
In consequence Of the extraordinary nature OF
the case the inquest was deferred until 10 O'Clock
this morning, in order to allow the medical facul'
| ty to view the body, and that q grand in
| quest should be held upon the body, Mr.. Avils
Claiming that the attending physician failing to
ascribe cause to the death, II was absolutely
necessary that he should officially take cogni
nance Of it. -,
CASTOR Luylay leaves many friends who viii
mourn his loss, for he was an excellent com
| psnion and when the news reaches his pool
mother we hope that it may be broken softly tc
/ her.
We cannot close without prsising the worthy
colored ladies Of the neighborhood for their disin
terested devotion 10 charity in giving their long
continued services TO aperfect stranger. Luylayl
| funeral will take place on Friday morning at II
| O'Clock.
| A Down EAST Boy FINED FOR SWEARING
The Pennington (Me.) Chronicle reports the fol
| lowing interesting case:
| The neonIe of philIips Village have attained