The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-12-14
n StraMgc "Reminiscences

My greatest friend among the students
at Leipzig Medical College was strange,
erratic genius. named Holman, philo-
sephical enthusiast, science-nad.
His room was filed with electrical ap-
paratus, and all its adjuncts. / was often
at loss to know tow he could afford SO
much extravagaut research, as knew that
his father was broken down merchant,
who lived very plainly in small cottage
some fifteen miles from the city, originally
porter's lodge to a gentleman's seat ia
the neighborhood.
accepted Hoffman's invitation the first
vacation we were together, and spent a
part of my holiday at the cottage, when l
became acquainted with his family, con-
sisting Of bis father, mother and only Sis
ter. "
The father was a large, athletic man. of
apparently forty-fve years of age, with a
bold, scornful look and treacherous eye.
The mother and sister were more like
Hoffman. Still I noticed that his mother
had constant habit of clasping her hands
in constant prayer, and turning her eyes
hcavenward. This surprised me very
much, ,as Hoffman had never professed any
re ligion whatever but. on the contrary.
he would sometimes almost scoff at me for
being a believer. He wauted me to lend
him certain sum, to pay for the making
of an electric apparatus of great size, with
which he intended to restore life. Icould
not assist him; but two days after our re-
turn to Leipzig be called on me to say thai
his father would furnish him with the
requisite amount in few days.
This was the acme of bliss for him; and
just three weeks after the evening be re.
ceired the money frem his father, he called
on NE to soy that the machine was finished
and he would have an opportunity ofusing
it on the following day, ,as a notorious mur
derer was to be hung, and be had madC
arrangements for obtaining his body.
"strange, is it not" said be, "thatthi
scoundrel will furnish the means whereof,
the scientific world will learn to homo
me?" s.
The hall at the cottage was fine large
square room, which you entered from
wide stair on the outside, near the ceiling
and on looking down you would perceiv
semi-circle area.
Two stairs led down among the seats o
either side to this area, in which stood th
electric apparatus, and a long mahogan
table, bound with brass, with number c
hinges and foldings, which was capable G
being swung around in all directions b
means of ball-and-socket joint in its pc
destal. -.. big.
On this table was a small box mounte
in silver, which contained dissecting in
struments, there was also several basin
Of water, and bundle Of towels. s."'
Soon after we had taken our seats, seV
: cral elderly gentlemen entered the aren
! also, one Of them completely covered wit
bis black gown; this was the demonstrate
of anatomy, and he it was who would tc
day operate upon the dead body Of Scan
mel, the notorious highwayman.
The old church bell had pealed out il
, twelfth stroke sometime before any new
, reached US; but at fifteen minutes to one
young man entered hastily, whisperc
: something in the ear of the doctor, wh
was enveloped in the black gown, and e'
erything was excitement. The machin
! was put in action and tue table prepared
aud in another minute several men hur