Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-13
A SEVERED HEAD ALIVE.


A Remark able Recital by n Veteran
Chicago Engineer.
Chicago Herald.]
"How was it about the explosion you wit
nessedf'
"Woll one was near Susquehanna, on the
York a. Erie now the New York, Lake Erie
& Western. Poor Walter Arnold was rum
ming the engine. He was as nice chap and
as steady and careful an engineer as you ever
saw. was standing near the Office door
talking to the mechanical superintendent
about some new hammers that we were put
ting into the shop 1t was in the fall Of 1857,
but remember it as if it occurred yesterday.
Walter hauled up about 2CO yards to
the right Of where we were standing,
and his engine had hardly stopped when
the explosion took place. 1t was a fearful
sound. 1t stunned US for a second or two.
Then we rushed down to see sight which l
don't want to SOC again. A lot Of the work
people and their wives and children had got
on the tender. 1t was pay day, and they
were nearly all cut to pieces. The fragments
of the bodies We're seen lying around, mixed
up with the wreck of tho engine and tender.
Immediately on getting up to the spot l
rushed across the track 30 sec il | could tnd
anything of poor Watty, for he and | were
close friends. Well, sir, sure enough, there
was his head resting upright OH a flat stone
in little stream of water by tho side Of the
road, and the color Of life was still seen in
his cheeks My God said to the man next
In. there is poor Watty's head and with
that the eyes actually closed and opened as
much as to say, Yes, old man, here | am
This is as true as you aud | are hero now
No. l don't want to be in any more explo-
sions."
"And you really think the head heard your
remark and answered it by winking Lis
eyes"
'Ins, sir; 1t is true as death. Watty Ar
mold knew me. and heard my voice, and an
swerel it. You 500, the head was taken OIL
clear, below the jaws, and very likely the
superheated steam scared the ends of the
veins and stopped the flow of blood fronlShe
head and face. There was good color in
the face and the eyes were full OF intelli-
gence,"
The reporter ascertained that the name Of
the speaker is William Nugrnt, mechanical
engineer and draughtsman. The person who
was with him at the time Of the accident sras
ono Richard Bates. who afterward removed
to Philadelphia. Mr.. Nugent is employed in
the office of the ChicagoTiro andSprng works.
conscious after severance it is on record
that several of the heads taken Off by the
giillotne in Paris during the reign of terror,
showed signs of life and consciousness after
execution took place, and that vital action
continued for u considerable time in some
cases. 1t is by no means impossible that
nervous contraction Of the eycids might
have taken place Whether thore was really
conscious motion is another question. 1t is
certain that Mr. Nugent thought at the time
that there was, and that he continues in that
behef to this day. The conditions aro Ger.
tainly more favor able for the momentary
maintenance of consciousness i'll Walter Ar
nolds case than i'll the cases Of victims of tho
guillotine. There was much les, loss OF
blood, and the whole system was probably III
condition of more robust and active life.
There was also the fact that the flow of blood
from the head in this case had been partially
checked, first, 10y the superheatol steam, and,
second by the cold wator of tho creek