The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-01-11
Remarkable Cure by Pain E1tractor-What
will the Doctors say2

4
The Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel is respon-
sible for the following somewhat marvellous and
highly improbable story:
It appears that on Christmas day boy about
eleven years old, the son Of Mr.. Spinks, a well
known citizen who resides on Walker street,
near the Uuion Passenger Depot, was out in the
street celebrating the festival after the fashion
of boys, with fre-crackers, gunpowder and
other combustibles. In his hands he had tin
can containing half pound of gunpowder.-
Having occasion to stoop down, he placed the
the can of powder between his legs and let it
remain there for few minutes. A number OF
boys we're engaged in shooting fre-crackers
around him, and one of the ignited mischief
fell in the can of powder. Before the little boy
could move the half pound of powder exploded.
The explosion was very powerful, and threw
him a considerable distance, besides burning
him in the most horrible manner. His eye
brows, eye-lashes, and large portion of his
hair were burned away, and his face was liter
ally consumed to q crisp, from his chin to the
roots of his hair. His eyes were injured so that
he was blind, and his hands, which were hold
ing the can at the time of the explosion, were
frightfully burned-each one being reduced to
an enormous blister. He suffered the most in.
tense agony, and his piteous screams alarmed
the entire neighborhood. With assistance he
was removed from the scene of the accident
and carried to his fathers house.
Medical aid was at once summoned, and an
experienced physician visited the unfortunate
child. All that science could suggest was done
rently without any result. After the physician
left the agony of the boy was something fright
full to witness. He was unable to lie down, but,
impelled and goaded by the fiery torture, ran
screaming through the house, from one room to
another. At last the anguish became greater
than, he could bear, it was apprehended that ne
would 90 into convulsions, and his parents knew
not what to do
And now comes the singular part of the sto-
~. His father was informed by some one that
there was "fire extractor" in the city, named
]. 81. Stallings, who could cure the worst cases
of burning, and more in desperation than from
any belief in what he had heard, the afflicted
father went off in search of the extractor"
He found him, and he at once stated that ne
had no doubt but that he could effect cure
The Fire Extractor then went with MIR. Spinks
to the house of the latter. There the boy was
found apparently upon the verge of convui-
sions, and suffering the most exquisite pain.
The Fire Extractor brought with him no case
of medicine, no case of instruments. Those
who were present say that he merely went up
to the child and put his hands upon the burned
places. He let them remain there about five
minutes and then removed them. The child
Immediately began to experience relief, and In
about twenty minutes declared that he was en-
tirely free from pain. Shortly after that time
he was entirely at his ease, his sight was re-
stored, he sat down in a chair and sat by the
fire, his burns being exposed to the heat of the
blaze In the afternoon he was 30 we'll that ne
went out into the street and resumed the sport
with his playmates which the explosion in the
morning had so suddenly interrupted. Since
that time he has been free from pain, and has
continued to improve steadily.
The above is certainly wonderful story, and
some of our readers imagine that we are draw
ing pretty heavy draft upon their credulity.
But facts speak for themselves, and evidence IS
within reach which will sustain every assertion
made in the statement. The burned boy can
be seen at any time at his fathers house, near
the Union depot, and Mr.. Spinks will state to
any inquirer what he has already stated to us.
Nay, more he will be glad to see any visitor
who may call for the purpose of investigating
the affair. The Fire Extractor is employed at
the Forest City Foundry, and may be found
there to speak for himself
We can give no explanation of the power
possessed by the Extractor, nor have we heard
any offered. 1t is said that he is what is termed
Shealing medium" and the term would seem
to imply that his cures are wrought by means
of spiritual influences BE charges nothing
for his services, and heals without money and
without price Who can solve the mystery OF
his method?