The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-07
TIMELY TOPICS.

TIMELY TOPICS.
The International Marriage Office, e.
tablished in Italy some twelve years
since, is said to be doing q good business.
It forwards circulars regularly to every
spinster, widow, or matrimonially eligi-
bic woman-American and English So
journing in the land of sun and song re-
ceive them periodically-informing them
fully of the benevolent object of the So
ciety. It requires statement of the for
tune and how invested, the permanent
address, photograph and every obtainable
particular of applicants for its service
secrecy in all cases strictly guaranteed.
These items are duly recorded, and cor
rLspondence and interviews are arranged
between persons who wish to become
acquainted with one another for con-
nubial purposes. A preliminary cash de-
posit to insure good faith and to cover
incidental charges is exacted, and if the
match be consummated certain COM
mission, ranging from two to five per
cent, is to be paid by the bridegroom.
As may be inferred, nearly all, if not
quite all, the masculine applicants are
fortune-hunters, who expect to get the
commission from the brides funds. The
office mentions among its applicants,
numbering, 1888, three princes, sixty
counts, ITO barons, $50 landed proprie-
tors, 300 army officers, 6l8 professors and
offlce-holders, seventy-four savants and
artists, ll9 manufacturers, 740 merchants,
295 farmers and 1900 professional men.
1t would be gratifying to know how
many matches are made; but this very
desirable bit of information is withheld,
although the matrimonial bureau claims
that its success has exceeded its most
sanguine expectations.
The Gloucester Relief Association is
the name of q society established in
Gloucester, Mass, for the relief of the
widows and orphans of the lost fishermen
of that city. Ithas no accumulated fund,
but depends upon the voluntary contri-
buttons of the benevolent to meet the
pressing demands constantly made upon
its charity. 1t has no salaried officer or
unnecessary expense. It is cautious in
it's distribution, and makes careful inves-
tigation OF all cases brought to its notice.
Its field is an extended one. Nearly 900
Gloucester fishermen have sunk beneath
the waves the past five years. The last
great gale Feb. 20, 1879 swept off l43
men, and left fifty-three widows and l4l
children dependent upon the charities OF
the day. In their name, and in behalf OF
a large number of earlier benefciaries OF
the organization, the association conf
IDENTIFY appeals to the charitable public.
The widows and children of the lost
fishermen, who are able to work, would
gladly avail themselves of any honest
employment, whereby they could earn
the wherewithal to provide the necessi-
ties of life. But, unfortunately, there is
but little for them to do near their homes
at this season, and they must be assisted
by the charitable. The Gloucester
Fishermen's and Seamen's Widows and
Orphans Aid Society,"" the Female
Charitable Association" and the "Glou:
cester Relief Association" are doing and
have been doing all within their power
to alleviate distress; but to do the work
before them, to relieve the distress which
is so terrible, they must have more funds
and the associations trust that the appeals
which have gone abroad may be prompt.
ly met, and the good work of aiding the
distressed ones in their midst may 60 or
with the utmost alacrity.
At the execution of Knox Martin. al
Nashville, a short time.ago, an unusually
large number of doctors were on hand
and it was generally understood that az
attempt was to be made to restore Lit
To prevent any doubt as to thestotal ex
tinction of life, the sheriff kept the body
hanging fifteen minutes after death wa!
pronounced certain. AS soon as the las
strand was cut the medical men easet
the body to the ground, removed tn!
loop from the neck, and made prompt et
forts to reset the dislocated bones, ane
relieve the pressure on the spinal cord
The body was put into the coffin ane
carried to a cow-shed near by, which, IL
spite of the efforts of the police, wa.
shortly filled by excited people, who
crowded in till the air was so hot ant
close that breathing was difficult for
live man, to say nothing of a dead one
They stripped the body and began Wig
orous rubbing of the arms and legs, al
ternately raising and depressing the ches
to produce breathing. His head wa:
raised and a galvanic battery attached
the electrodes being applied to the bast
of the brain and the chest. When tht
currents were turned on, muscular con
tortions ensued, giving every expression
of emotion. Pain, fear, anxiety, delight
fitted in CHASTITY succession over tht
dead face. After artificial respiration
had been kept up five minutes, the pulse
came back, the hands were clenched ane
returning breath and open, staring eye:
indicated returning vitality. The anima
heat of the body increased from 80 to SO!
degrees in ten minutes. There was also
an apparent return of voluntary motion
the head and neck being spontaneously
raised in the coffin. The signs of anima'
tion, however, subsidized, and the expert.
ment ceased. More was accomplished
than ever before in the way of resuscita'
ton, and if with the usual time of hang
ing and plenty of pure air to breathe in
case the subject did revive, the physician:
believe they might have succeeded in
bringing the dead to life.