The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1872-01-12
A FIRE EXTRACTOR.
WHAT IS IL I--REMARKABLE CURE ny
APAIN EXTRACTOR WHAT WILL
rHE DOCTORS SAY

y
a brief mention of a most singular
case which occurred in this city
Christmas day. Since the article
was written we have obtained fuller
particulars of the affair, and publish
them below
1t appears that on Christmas day
boy about eleven years old, the
son of Mr.. Spinks, a well-known cit
izen who resides on Walker Street,
near the Union Passenger Depot,
was out in the street celebrating tho
festival after the fashion of boys,
with fre-crackers, gunpowder and
other combustibles. In his hands
he had tin can containing half q
pound of powder. Having occasion
to stoop down, he placed the can of
powder between his legs and let it re-
main there for a few minutes. A
number of boys were engaged in
shooting fre-crackers around him,
and some 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
q considerable distance, besides bur-
ming him in the most horrible man
ner. His eye broys, eye-lashcs and
large portion of his hair were burn
ed away, and his face was literally
consumed to a crisp, from his chin
to the roots Of his hair. His eyes
were injured SO that he was blind,
and his hands, which were holding
the can at the time of the explosion,
were frightfully burned--each one
being reduced TO an enormous bis
ter. He suffered the most intense
agony, and his piteous screams
alarmed the entire neighborhood.-
With assistance he was removed
from the scene of tho accident and
carried to his fathers house.
Medical aid was at once summoned
and an experienced physician visited
the unfortunate child. All that sci
ence could suggest was done to al
leviatc the pains of the patient, but
apparently without any result. At
ter the physician left the agony Of
the boy was something frightful to
witness. He was unable to lie down
but impelled and goaded by the frey
torture, ran screaming through the
house, from one room to another
At last the anguish became greater
than he could bear, it was apprehen-
ded that he would go into convul-
sions, and his parents knew not what
to do.
And now comes the singular part
of the story. His father was inform
ed by some one that there was fire
extractor in the city named j. IL
St4linss, who could cure the worst
cases of burning, and moro in des-
peration 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 he had no doubt but that he
could effect cure. The Fire Ex-
tractor then went with Mr.. Spinksltc
the house of the latter. There the
boy was found apparently on the
verge of commissions, and suffering
the most excruciating pain. The
Fire Extractor brought with him nc
case of medicine, no case of instru-
ments. Those who were present
say that he merely went up to the
child and put his hands on the burn
ed 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
entirely free from pain. Shortly at
ter that time he was entirely at his
ease, his sight was restored, he sal
down in a chair and sat by the fire,
his burns being exposed to the heat
of the blaze. In the afternoon he
was SO well that he went out into the
street and resumed the sport with
his pIaymates which the explosion of
the morning had so suddenly inter
rupted. Since that time he has been
free from pain, and has continued
to improve steadily.
The above is certainly wonder
full story, and some of our readers
may imagine that we are drawing a
pretty heavy draft upon their cred
ulity. But facts speak for them
selves, and evidences 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 in
quirer what he has already stated to
us. Nay, more no 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 a
"healing medium and the term
would seem to imply that his cures
are wrought by means of spiritual
- a ...,. H. obo,r,aO pothiDn for