New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-27
STRANGE SEQUEL TO A HANGING
Reconsideration of the Victim by Two Doc
tors-A Negro Witness Killed and
Placed i'm the Coffin.

fOrs-A Negro itness n nieC and
Placed i'm the Coffin.
From the Abilene (Kansas) Chronicle.
We are about to relate one Of the most
astounding. Developments that has ever
come to light in this Western community,
we may safely assert, within the recOllec.
tion of any truthful person. The occur
renee, commencing with the killing of kel-
ley and the hanging Of his murderer, with
MI its CHASTITY sequels. is not nearly equal
to the dreadful scenes that subsequently
followed. as related to us by an eye witness.
1t will be remembered that the dead culprit
was boxed and buried by an undertaken,
Mr.. Eicho!tz. a short distance from the town
cemetery.
On the night following his burial Mr..
johnson, Texas cattle dealer was return
ing from his herd. 1t was one of those
beautiful moonlight nights for which this
latitude is famous. In the bright moonlight
he continued his journey far into the night.
On approaching Abilene he noticed the sus-
picious movements OF three persons, who
were apparently digging in an isolated To-
ca!ity. Dismounting, he tied his horse. and
approaching, hid himself in favored spot.
He discovered the parties to be two we'll
known physicians of Abilene and colored
man. Presently the spade of the negro
struck hard substance. That's it, said
one, and they shortly after had in full view
large box, whose cover was ripped OF in
less time than it takes to relate it.
No words were spoken. and in q short
time the musical ticking OF a galvanic bat
terry was heard, with an occasional sigh.
apparently from the box. Presently, his
blood running cold, his hair almost stand
ing on end, the terrOr-stricken locker On
saw the form of the hanged culprit sitting
erect in his box. Whereupon the negro.
more frightened than he. commenced yell
ing and shrieking in the most piteous man
ner. 'Shut up said one, you will have
the people Of Abilene after us" 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
attentively, kneit down by his side, put
his hand over his skull. now saturated with
his life current. and in mild but emphatic
words said: Hes dead Then ensued a
moment of such acting as. our informant
tells us. he never witnessed before. Anger
terror. grief and remorse were quickly fol-
lowed by an almost unnatural GOODNESS as
these two quietly drew forth the resur-
rected criminal from his box and again
nailed the lid over a corpse not 10 be re-
suscitated-that of the daikey himself
Quietly they proceeded with their
original work. applying the plates of the
poles OF their battery first over one
collar bone, then over tie other. while tie
other plate was placed apparently over the
stomach. While this was being done by
one worker the other seemed to alternate
the work by depressing the chest. Ass;du-
Ously these two silent men worked on not
a word spoken or scarce an utterance given.
unless from the eniivening hulk that Law
before them. Ever and anon movement
OF some part of the body before them would
attract attention. At last the first worker,
taking a vial from his pocket, poured few
drops in the mouth OF the subject. He
seemed satisfied, for he stopped his work
and putting his hand on the heart, re-
marked. alt beats naturally" A few
moments longer and another appiica-
ton from the bottle, aud the subject
spoke audibly, and. in reply to questions,
gave full account of the occurrences dur
ing what We're supposed to be his last mo-
ments. Hanging, he said was rather
pleasant than otherwise. for after tie first
spasmodic struggle for breath. delightful
tickling 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 retain its
vitality. Tie happiest moment of a life
time was centefed in a dream at that H.
slant. Feeling and all thoughts of the
occurrences about him went with his effort
Tor breath. and at last darkness clouded the
rem linder OF his mind From that moment
until he found himself in the hands of
science he knew nothing