The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-06-02
A Surgical Marvel.
SURVIVAL OF A NAN TSTO WHOSE BRAIN
BREECH-PIN HAD PASSED.


There appeared in the rotunda Of the
Windsor Hotel last night, says the Denver
Tribune OF recent date. a gentleman who at
tracted no little attention and comment
Not that he was odd in make up OF eccentric
in demeauOr, but because he bore on his
forehead the CHASTITY mark of a miraculous
escape from death. Every body who noticed
the long red line looked a second and third
time, and looking, suggested that the man
had something interesting in his history. IN
inquiry at the desk revealed the fact that he
was New York journalist, the editor Of the
GoStrOnOulist, and that his name was John !.
kempster Upon solicitation Mr.. Kempster
told reporter the story OF the wound II
occurred while he was duck-shOOting in New
Jersey on the 23d of September, 1880. said
Mr.. KempSteT
u wandered into the marshes about mile and
a halt from the little village and finally obtained
good shot at flock OF ducks which were swim
ming in shallow slough. I ured. and that was
the last ] remembered fOr some time When I re-
covered consciousness ! was lying fat up0n my
back, the sun beating down on me. ] knew that /
was wounded, but for many minutes could not i'm
me slowly and with 70 strength. I felt something
trickling down my forehead and putting up my
hand touched a thin coating that proved 10 be
mingled blood and brains. Then 1 appreciated
that the gun had exploded OF discharged itself
through the breech. and that something had pen
etrated my forehead. 1 raised my hand a second
time, and felt the smaller end Of breechpin pro-
all was up. and commenced TO make my peace
with God in prayer / grew stronger and more
hope Of securing surg ical aid that might save ny
life 1 struggled 70 nv feet A heavincss. ff my
brain cavity was loaded with lead. al that I
suffered. Everything appeared natural %
the trees the shrubbery and the marshes. and
even the path 1 had taken was distinct 10 my
mind was even thoughtful enough 20 pick up
the broken gun and examine &c. The stock was
separated from the baTrCls-imb bedded fn my brain
was the sbsent breeChpin.
I walked back % the village II seemed an
age before got there. the invisible weight on my
head bending my knees and bearing 60 the
ground. never rested though, but kept on. with
only vague hope for life encouraging nae. When
/ arrived at the hotel where / was stopping the
people. seeing me. fed g 10 ghost were ap
preaching through the daylight. When I told the
1terk 70 20 Tor surgeon he stood palsied. grew
mad and snouted-at him 20 fpl a surgeon or i
would die. and then fell 20 the floor sueechless
was again unconscious until the operation had
been performed and the iron pin was taken from
of my brain. IL was 2 buugifng piece OF w0rz-
two country physicians, who knew as much about
surgery as / do n Choctaw. hacking and hewing
and saving my head until they had opened H. az
yon can sec, more than two and half inches
lhen was put on the train and sent 70 y ew York.
Until unconseiOusneSs came 70 relief again /
was IN the most terrible agony. my brain aching
Is though a thousand dagEers were piercing IT, 1
remembe- being placed n the hospital am bulaure
the remarks OF bystauders that / could not live /:
Ihe lOUng ride through the streets the ringing Of
the ambulance bell, which sounded like q death
knell % me. and after that all was blank. 10 was
several days before again came to. and well 1
reeolieet the nrst q uery 1 made TO the doctor
W az there any probability that my life would be
the desk grinding away as ii my brains were in
tact"
Where the breechpin entered Mr.. Kemp
ster head, there is a space of about a half
inch in diameter where the cuticle touches
the brain and moves with each pulSatiOn Of
the organ. cutting Of the skin would eX-
pose the brain.