New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-05
CLOSE OF A REMARKABLE CAREER.


ESCAPING TIE PIRlLS OF EENOLI llON ~ DAL ~
A NEw-JERsEY HOSPITAL
An old man lay dying last night in 81. Josephs
Hospital Paterson, n. j., the story OF whose NE
furnishes at career of rare adventure and an
example of uncommon ccccntrlcIty. The wasted
form over which the Good Sisters OF the Hospital
watched with tender care, the breath came more
labored and the pallor of death stole over the
features was that of DR.. Francis II. DaumeT, a
prominent leader among the band of enthusiasts
who IN 1S4S set Europe in blaze OF revolution; lie
was boru seventy-fyc years ago I'D Bohemia, where
his father was Government official OF some prom
inencc, and the young man IecelVeu Il
frst-class education. He studied med,
cine in the Universities of Bonn and
Magdeburg and received his diploma III 1910
Among his fellow-students at Bonn was Carl
SchurZ. For six years DR.. Daumcr served as sur
geOn in the Prussian army. when 1913 came,
with its social upheaval Daumer was one Of the
many young men of good birth and education VINO
espOused the cause of liberty and he became intI-
matcly associated with Robert Blum. Frederick
Hecker, Carl Schurz and other we'l-knoWn rev0-
lutOnary leaders. Daumer was arrested for high
treason and spent four years IN the dungeons OF the
fortresses Of Rastadt Ehrenbreltstcn, PreuSs-
ninden and Juich. In Eastadt he spent two years
in solitary confinement. and was ono OF number
sentenced TO be shot 1t decided, how
remove them to Ehrenbreltstcin. Daumer
was one of tie two whom the
lot exempted. In Jul,ch prison Daumer and a
companion crossed the dead.ine in an effort to es-
cape the guard fired and DiumeTs companion
fell dead by his side. The doctor got bayoonet
wound in the thigh and was sent to the prison hos
p;tal. One dark night he escaped. as was Sis
pected through the completely OF the prison
eeon who had been his cassEiate III the university
Daumer made his way to London aud devoted HIM
self to his profession. lie married unnapplIy ana
came alone TO New-York. This was IN 1891 and
soon after that removed 10 Paterson. The Govern
ment police had cOnfscated his diploma III Ger
many and he frequently tried to get 1t returned to
him, but without sccccSs. Under the law Dr
Daumer having no diploma to file with the County
Clerk had not the strict right TO practise medicine
In New-Jcrs y. But he was regarded rs good
physician aud his professional brethren apprcc-
nj SItmatIOn
practice iuterfered with.
If DR.. Daumeps career had been unusual IN
its stirring cvents his personal character and mode
of living were equally so III cccentrcitY. lie lived
alone, hermit, in dingy rooms ia the thlckest
settled part of Paterson. The rooms were marvel
of disorder, DIRT aud dilapdatlOn. Bottles and
papers OF drugs were piled and scattered every
where The only thing that could be called adorn-
ment was rude print on the wall entltlel, ne
Liberty dead, with llecker. Blum and other heroes
of 1S4S as mOurners. The drawers Of long table
were packed with heterogeneous collection OF all
sorts of things. One drawer contained vaccine
quilts, boxes of pills. old coins, bottles OF medicine
three boiled eggs, pctritied biscuit: sp0oIs OF
thread, rabbits feet surgical instruments, plaster
cigar butts, socks pictures OF actresses, bag OF
salt. knives, forks, spoons and other lll-ass0rted
ing was sOme blankets. There Is a crack in the
wall of the old house which let's daylight shine II
ram trckle. but the doctor never would nave 1t
mended anything IN the shape of repair or dis
turbance YVES his aversion. Tho most remarkable
trait of his character his friendship for spiders
w ME lu sGuldTy confinement In herman uuu-
geons they had been to him, as to the Prisoner of
Chillon, his sole companions. Tic had made pets of
the insects there and he brought his affection into
his life In free land He never allowed one of
the spiders any of the webs with which the
walls of his room covered TO be touched. If
lie LAID down a package of medicine or n surgical
instrument i'll the evening and found spiders web
attached to IL in the morning, he would not move
II, but would II necessary go out and buy new
article to replace what the spider had "Squatted
on. The doctors will leayes everything TO his
friend, LOUIS Kirsingcr, and as Mr. Krsingcr is not
particularly fond of spiders ii is probable that old
"CObweb Hall " i'll Ellison-st. will be cleaned out
at last after many years. and that several hundred
RStOnshcd spiders will be sent scurying forth from
the dIngy Businesses where they and their
have long dwelt undIsturbed by broom mop.