Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-15
CLARA NORRIS TORTURES.


for notices over four lines
CLARA NORRIS TORTURES.
1t is known that Clara Morris suffered much
before leaving for Europe, aud even during her
last series OF performances uany times she was
carried talntug from the stage, and recovered
only by the strength of a mighty will, which i'm
PEELED her to the Conscientious performances of
what she had undertaken. Her disease was
uore distressing 1t was curvature of the spine,
originating IN prlVatlOn In childhood, and root.
ed by waot OF the proper attention and treat
meut iD later years. Three years ago it could
probably have been arrested, but it was crisis
10 her profession, aud upon success n surmount-
ing many obstacles her Whole future seemed
to depend. Naturally, also, her friends as well
as herself failed 10 realize the profoundly seri-
Gus Dature OF her troubles, aud that complete
recovery would follow intervals of rest aud the
various methods OF treatment recommended bv
attending physicians During the past sum
m"r, however, iii .!tVeiupm@nt Of the disease
has been rapid. a sea voyage failed entirely
TO produce any change for the better, and the
hat OF the highest medical authorities abroad
confirmed her worst fears, and condemned her
to terrible operation, be same to which Chas.
Sumner submitted for the cure of the same
disease.
private letter written from Paris by friend
who stood by and saw the terrible trial, is print.
ed in the Wash Dgton Capital:
ii RUE DE LA BIEEFAISANCE, !
PARIS, Aug. II, 1875
My DEAR - hasten to write you
well as | am aDle uuder the circumstances,
OF the terrible trial to which our dear little
friend has been subjected. As Professor Ball
concurred 10 the opinion given by Dr. BeIyin,
that the disease Of the spine would. if not ar
rested, terminate fatally within two years, she
determined to submit 10 the treatment that it
makes me Audder to think Of She said only,
Let me have it at once; don't let me think of
It, and last Tuesday we drove to the Doctors
rooms, 81 Rue de ia Luxembourg She was
very pale, probably not more SO than usual
but l could not bat notice that the nostrils
were dlIated and the mouth more firmly set
than usual She conversed less than common.
and 10 hts and starts, and, strange to say, Of
the most trivial thiogs We saw upon our way.
Arriving at DR. Bevus we were annoyed at
not hndog Prot Ball there, aud had to wait
Tor hIm nearly halt an hour. All the while our
poor friend sat with her hands clasped between
her knees saying at Intervals If they keep
me waiting | shall fail. koow shall fail"
At last the Professor was announced, and then
nfteen more minutes were given to Preparations
10 au adjoining room. Clara had stipulated
that she should not see the furnace nor the
lroDs, and it cost the physicians some trouble
aud labor to comply with her wishes.
We were at last summoned to enter, and
nothing was visible but the low chair ia
which the victim Was to sit and the two
operators. DR.. Belvin is man not over
thirty live, with a clear blue eye, blonde
head and rather kind expression of face :
prot R.l Z
eu nose, small gray eyes, and Gt less than the
medium height. 1t may have leen the circum-
stauces, bu, he looked to me the beau ideal of
an iuquisllor, of the Spanish inquisition, well
deserving the title given him 10 Paris among
medical men of ''the butcher" Oh account of
his terrible and frequent operations.
Poor Clara was obliged to sit on low chair
with her back barred, and sire went through the
ops ration quiet enough, but with her face pale
and rigid as marble The only evidence be-
you'd this was the pi,iful tr, milling of her poor
little hands. She spoke calmly, however, re.
'questiug me to hold her head, not her hands,
and as she sat looking up at me as if to read
my tace what Was going on behind her, be-
Jeyc suffered the more of the two.
TheD DR.. BelviD lit his furnace, aud the
roaring OF the haue that was to heat the iron
TO white heat in few seconds was dreadful
l" ticdt, auu Willie tnlS was going on Prot. Ball
marked with pencil the line the iron was to
follow 90 either side Of the spine Every touch
OF the pencil sent thrill through the delicate
frame OF the poor victim; but the Professor had
scarcely ended making the pencil marks when,
with a flash, the roo was applied. It was
dreadful. The white point seemed to sink au
inch into the quiverng form, with that sick
enlng sound OF burning fash; but beyond
Wrlthing Of the body, accom- panied by deem.
heavy breathing, there Was 90 rcsponse-uot
shrek, not sign or groan The doctor
had nearly completed his dreadful task when
Clara, suddenly starting up, cried ont 10 voice
that even muyed Prot. Ball:
My God, l cannot, cannot bear it,
1t Was all over, however, and do YOU know
she helped replace her clothes after the wounds
were dressed, aud walked calmly down to the
carriage. The doctors said it was wonderful
exhibit OF nerve She is quite pros,rated to-
day. aud suffers from vioeut paiu in her head
but the doctor says it is all right, and she will
he up and we'll soon. forgot to say that she
was urged to have the operation performed
while uoder the Influence OF chloroform. but
positively refused.
:, Since writing the above, Dr. Barker, of
New York who happens to be here on visit
mas been called 10 consultation with Professor
Ball and DR.. Belvin. | will write you the
result as soon as hear it.
Yours.
LII Is DOT very long since an association of sol :