West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-06-09
A SURGICAL MARVEL.
survival OF Man IEto whose
Brain a Breecbpiu Has Passed.

brasu "a Breecb pin Has Passed.
There appeared in the rotunda of the
Windsor Hotel last night Gays the Denver
Fribuae, gentleman who attracted no
little attention and comment Not that
be was odd in makeup or eccentric in de-
meanor, but because he bore on his fore
head The CHASTITY mark Of a miraculous
escape from death. Everybody who no.
ticed the long re- line looked a second
ana Third time, and looking, suggested
that the man had something Interesting in
nis history. An 10 quiry at the desk re-
vealed the feet that he was a New York
Journalist, the editor OF the Gastronomist.
and that his name was John j. Kemp.
ster. Upon solicitation, Mr. Kempster
told reporter the story of the wound.
II occurred while he was duck s hooting in
New jersey on the 23i of September.
1880. Said Mr.. Rempster: IL wandered
into the marshes about mile and a half
from the little village and finally obtained
good shot at u flock of ducks who were
swimming in shollow slough | fred.
and that was the last | remembered for
some time. When | recovered conscious
ness was lying fat upon my back, the
sun beating down on me. | knew that |
was wounded, but for many minutes
could not imagine where the injury was.
Better sense came TO me slowly, and with
II strength. | felt something ,rickling
down my forehead, and putting up nv
hand tpnehaA
to be mingled blood and brains. Then |
appreciated that the gun bad exploded or
discharged itself through the breech. and
that something had penetrated my fore
head. | raised my hand second time
and telt the smaller end of breechpn
protruding from my h. adj Immediately
III ught all was up, and commenced To
make my peace with God in prayer /
grew stronger and more conscious of my
condition, however, and, in the hope of
securing medical aid that might save my
life, | struggled to my feet. a heayiuess.
as Y my brain cavity was loaded with
lead, was oil tia, / suffered. Eyeryth!ng
appeared r.inrll 10 me; the troep, the
shruOnery ard the msrshcs, and even the
pain token. Was Jis;iuct to my naind.
| was "ycu tbnps6iful enough to pick no
The broken qua ard examined it. The
stock was separated from the barrel
'mhejAcd in my brain was the absent
hreechpiS
II walked back to :he village. Ii seem.
cd an age before got here, The invisible
weight On my head Hendng my knees
.nd b ariug ni5 30 the ground. | nsve,
rested, though, but kept on, with only
vague hope for life ENCOURAGING me
Wnen IHriveo at the hotcl where | wa
stopping, the Deopid, seeing me, fad as if
a ghost were approaching through IA.
day light When l told the clerk 20 pc
for surgeon he stood pals,ed. grew
mad aud shouted to him 10 find snrgcon
or 1 Cuid die. and ID, n tell To the Il nor
sptrchIeHS- was again unconscious
unhl the operation had been p.rfnrfned
aud The iron pin was taken from off my
brain. Ii was u burgling pi. c. OF work.
TWO country ply siClnns, who k.nw ss
much "t surgery as l do of Cnoctaw.
hacking and he%lng end saving my head
uh;li they LAD hpehed il, as you can zee,
J was put Gu Tie Train and sent to New
YORK. Until uGc DsciouSnCss came to nv
relief again i was in The most terrible ae
ony, my brain aching us though a thous.
ana daggers were piercing It, | remem
Der being placed in the hospital ambu
lence the remarks of by stahders that I
could not live; the joltiDg ride through
ibe streets; the ringing OF The aInbulenco
DELL wnich sounded like death-knell To
ne, and after that all was blank. IL was
several days before again came to, and
so well rcollect the fret query made
70 lhe doctor Was there any probability
that my lie would be saved p FIN
months afterwards | was once more at
the desk grinding away as if my brains
were intact?"
., Where the breechpn entered Mr..
hempster's head there is a epnce of abont
"A hall inch In diameter where The cuticle
touches the brain aud moves with each
pulsation OF the organ. a cutting of the
skin would expose the brain.