Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-03-25
STRANGE SEQUEL TOA HAxGlNG.
RssuscItatIon of the Victim by Two Doctors
A Negro Witness Killed and
Placed In the Coffin.
From the Abilene Chronicle ]

From the Abilene Chronicle
We are about TO relate one Of thi
most astounding developments tina
has ever come TO light in this western
community, we may safely assert
within the recollection of any truthful
person. The occurrence, commencing
with the killing of Kelley and the
hanging OF his murderer, with all it
ghastly sequels, is not nearly equal Z
| the dreadful scenes that subsequently
followed, as related to us by an eye
witness. 1t will be remembered thai
the dead culprit was boxed and
| buried by an undertaken, Mr.. EichOltz
short distance from the town GENE
terry. On the night following his
burial, Mr.. johnson, q Texas cattle
dealer, was returning from his herd.
1t was one of those beautiful moon
light nights for which this latitude is
famous. In the bright moonlight he
continued his journey far in the night.
On approaching Abilene he noticed
the suspicious movements OF three
pei SONS, who were apparently dig
giDg in an isolated locality. Dis
mounting, he tied his horse, and ap-
preaching hid himself in a favored
spot. He discovered the parties to be
two well-knOwn physicians OF Abb
lene and a colored man. Presently
the spade of the negro struck hard
substance. "That's it." said one, and
they shortly after had in full view a
large bcx, whose cover was ripped off
in less time than it takes to relate it.
No.Words were spoken, and IN short
time the musical ticking OF a galvan-
ic battery was heard, with an 0ccr-
siOnal sigh, apparently from the box.
Presently, his blood running cold, his
hair almost standing on end, the ter
rOr-sticken loOker-on saw the form OF
the hanged culprit sitting erect in his
box. WhereupOn the negro, more
frightened that he, commenced yell
ing and skrieking in the most piteOus
manner. "Shut up!" said one; "you
will have the people in Abilene after
u.s." as the other doctor passionately
struck the negro with an iron bar
used in prying open the box. The
other, gazing at the new corpse at
tentively, knelt down by his side, put
his hand over his skull, now saturat-
ed with his life current, and in mild
but emphatic words said: Hes
deadW Then ensued q moment OF
such acting as, our informant tells US,
he never before witnessed. Anger,
terror, grief and remorse were quickly
followed by an almost unnatural cool.
ness as these two quietly drew forth
the resurrected criminal from his box
and again nailed the lid over q corpse
not TO be resusci tated-that of
the darky himself. Quietly they
proceeded with their original work,
applying the plates of the poles Of
their battery first over one collar
bone, then over the other, while the
other plate was placed apparently
over the stomach. While this was
being done by one worker, the other
seemed to alternate the work by re-
pressing the chest. AssiduoUsly these
two silent men worked on, not g word
unless from the enlivening hulk that
lay before them. Ever and anon a
movement Of some part of the body
before them would attract attention.
At last the first worker, taking vial
from his pocket, poured a few drops
in the mouth of the, subject. He
seemed satisfied, for he stopped
his work, snd putting his hand
on the heart, remarked, at
beats naturally" A few mo-
ments longer and another applica-
ton from the bottle, and the subject |
spoke audibly, aud in reply to
questions, gave full account of the |
duTiGg what were sup
posed to be his last moments. Hang-
ing, he said, was rather pleasant than !
for after the first sOasmodic |
struggle for breath, a delightful tick
ling sensation followed his veins to |
the tips OF his limbs. Consciousness
seemed to lose itself very gradually,
and for time portion of the brain |
seemed to retEin its vitality. The
happiest moment OF a lifetime was
in a dream at that instant.
Feeling and all thoughts Of the occur
rences about him, went with his effort !
for breath, and at last darkness
the remainder of his mind. |
From that moment until he found |
himself in the hands of science, he |
knew nothing. Our informant, for
lack OF time, promises further devel-
opments for our next weeks issue;
the attention Of the author |
titles will be called to these facts.