The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-12-05

Archibald Forbes contributes to
Belgravia the curious story found be-
low. He says: Concerning the history
of the subjoined curious narrative, the
original manuscript of which, written
in now faded ink on the rough dingy
paper OF sixty years ago, was placed in
my hands in the course of a recent visit
to America, only few words are
necessary. The narrative is addressed
to "Mrs. Rodgers and sister," and APP
pears to have been written at the
request of the former lady, after the
authors return from the sea on the
termination of his service as surgeon of
the frigate President, the famous fight
ing cruiser of the American republic in
the war with England of 1924.
Commodore Rodgers, who commanded
the President during the war, and who
was the husband of the lady for whom
the account was written, gave to DIR.
Turks narrative his Endorsement of
its perfect accuracy. OF the anthem
ITCHY of the document there can be no
possibility of doubt.
"Some time in the latter part of
December, 1918, man by the name of
William Kemble, aged twenty-three Ga
seaman on board of the United States
frigate President, commanded by Com
modore John Rodgers, on a cruise. then
near the Western Islands), was brought
to me from one of the tops, in which he
was stationed, having burst a vessel in
his lungs, the blood gushing with great
violence from his mouth and nostrils.
With much difficulty / succeeded in
stopping the discharge, and he was put
upon remedies suited to his case. I
visited him often, and had the best of
opportunity of becoming acquainted
with his temper, habits and intellectual
attachments; and under all circum-
stances, during his illness, found his
language and behavior such as stamped
him the rough, profane and illiterate
sailor 1t is my belief, although / can
not positively assert it, that he could not
either read or write. 1t is certain that
his conversation never differed in the
least from that of the most ignorant
and abandoned of his associates, con-
stantly mixed with oaths and the lowest
vulgarity. Had he possessed talents or
learning, he must have betrayed it to
me during his long confinement.
In the early part of January, 1914,
vessel bore down upon us with every
appearance of an English frigate. All
hands were called to quarters, and after
a short aud animated address by the
Commodore to the crew, all prepared
to do their duty. Before / descended
to the cockpit. well knowing Kemble's
spirit and how anxious he would be to
partake of the glorious victory defeat
never entered our thoughts), | thought
it best to visit him. After stating to
him the peculiar situation he was in,
and the great danger he would be ex-
posed to by the least emotion. / en-
treated and ordered him not to stir DUR
ing the action, which he promised TO
observe. We were soon obliged to fire.
At the sound of the first gun he could
restrain himself no longer, but regard
less of my admonitions and of his own
danger, he rushed upon deck and flew
to his gun. laying hold to help run her
out. A fresh and tremendous discharge
from his lungs was the consequence,
and he was brought down to me again
in most deplorable state. l appre-
hended immediate death, but by
the application of the proper reme-
dies l succeeded once more
in stopping the hemorrhage, by
which he was reduced to state of the
most extreme debility. Being near the
equator and suffering much from heat,
his hammock was slung on the gun
deck between the ports, affording the
best circulation of air. He onsinucd
for some time free from hemorrhage.
but was under the constant use of med
icine. and was confined to a particular
diet. This made him fretful, and he
would frequently charge my mates with,
starving him, st the same time damn
ing them in the true sailor fashion.
After some time. being again called to
quarters at night, he was necessarily
removed below to the sick berth (com
monty called bay.) This was followed
by another discharge of blood from his
lungs, which was renewed at intervals
until his death.
'On January IL, in the afternoon.
Dr. Birchmore, my first mate, came to
me on deck, and reported Kemble to be
dead. directed him to see that his
messmates did what was usual on such
occasions preparatory to committing
his remains to the deep. About two
hours after this DIR. Birchmore again
called on me. He said that Kemble
had come to life, and was holding forth
to the sailors in a strange way.
directly went down, where l
witnessed one of the most remarkable
and unaccountable transactions that.
perhaps. had ever fallen to the lot of
man to behold. Kemble had awakened
as it were from sleep. raised himself up
and called for his messmates in partic-
ular. and those men who were not on
duty to attend 70 his words, He told