The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-16
SURGEON WHEATON.
"reminiscences by Colonel
Henry Staples.

Surgeon Francis Leyison Wheaton was
the thirteenth child OF Levi On. ID. and
Martha (Burril) Wheaton, and was born
I'm Providence Oct. n, 1904, receiving his
education in the schools Of Providence
and at the academy at Smithfield, H. J.,
and Uxbridge, Mass. His fathef was an
eminent physician, having q very extern
sive practice, and also had large num-
ber OF pupils. These pupils assembled In
the Doctors office almost every evening,
and IL he was at leisure he would 60 on
and ask one Of them what he was read
ing about, then taking the book TO ascer-
tain what the course OF reading Was, ana
securing the attention OF all present,
would ask questions and explain.
Young Frank, inheriting preference
for physicians life, was usually present,
and thereby commenced qualifying him
self for the prominent positions be subse-
quently attained. For many years he
regularly attended the weekly lectures at
Harvard, A visit there OH those days was
materially different from our present
means OF communication. Instead OF a 55-
minute train connecting Boston with
Providence, the only public means OF
transportation was by stage, and Frank
made his journey on horseback. The late
DIR. Lewis l.. Miller also attended the
same lectures, and they often journeyed to-
gether.
In early youth Frank was credited with
his full share OF mischief and his COM
rades of early manhood solemnly affirm
that these same traits often cropped out in
the form OF practical Jokes IN later years.
In fact, although he lived to a good old
age he never became so ola but that he
could relish a joke. When but a mere
boy, he noticed something unusual going
on at his home. .one day, and seeking in
formation as TO the cause of it. was sent
To bee 20 as to pe out OF the way. While
there and heaxing the commotion increase,
he got up, and in his night clothes went
down into the parlor. This parlor was
nearly filled with guests, and his eldest
sister beckoned him to come and stand by
her, and was cautioned to keep still. The
clergyman was then engaged in prayer,
which was Immediately followed by the
marriage OF this eldest sister to the Rev.
DIR. Gsno. Frank, therefore, instead OF
remaining in bed,. actually stood up with
his sister.
The first patient Frank had was when
he was about IA years of age. Rev. Dr.
Gano called 10 see DR.. Levi, and when he
was told by Frank that his father was alb
sent and that he did not know when be
would return, said he came TO be bled,
and asked. Frank il he could DO it. Be-
fore being told that he could he was taken
into Dr. Gano's chaise and went TO his
residence, and there, barring his arm, he
pointed out the place where the incision
should be msde. Upon Franks remark
ing that that was the place they always
bled from, DIR. Gano said: Snow that you
know so much, you may go on, which he
did.
Upon the return of Dr. Lew he in
quired OF Frank what be had been doing
during his absence. Frank replied that
among other things he went up and bled
DR.. Gsno, and he believed he was alive
yet. DIR. Levi Immediately went there
and said the operation and bandsging
were both properly done.
Franks brother, Walter b., was regu
lar surgeon in the United States army,
and had recently been ordered to the fort
at Sackett's Harbor on Lake Superior,
the garrison then in command Of Colonel
Brady, and Frank, then but n boy, was
sent there to acquire knowledge i'm medi-
cine and'surgery by practical experience.
He was afterwards ordered to fort How
ard, Green Bay, Colonel Pinckney in COM
mand. Upon Franks arrival at Sackett's
Hsrbor he found his brother absent on
his wedding tour. Colonel Brady recog-
nized Frank from his family resem-
blance, and at once made place for him
and warmly welcomed him. Upon Col
onel Brady's inquiry as 10 the condition
OF F-ank's wardrobe, and learning that
he had no flannel underwear told him
that flame was indispensable i'm that
climate and took bin Immediately 10 the
suffers and inquiring how many yards
OF red flannel We're required had it cut
of. Colonel Brady then, with the flannel
under his arm, and accompanied by
Frank, went to the ladies' quarters, and
selecting one lady, he saidfo her: "Your
husband Is just about the same size as
this young man, and | wish you would
take this flannel and make some under
garments for him." In few days Frank
was fitted.
Frank remained at Sacketts' Harbor
nearly two years, and in the meantime
his brother, Surgeon Walter h., was inca
pacitated by long illness, and the whole
medical care OF the garrison OF over
four hundred men devolved upon Frank,
and was performed to The entire sstisiac-
tion of Colonel Brady.
While at Fort Howard ono OF the SOL
diers met with sad misfortune by hav-
ing his legs badly frozen. Gangrene set
in, and ami rutation was necessary to
save the mans life. No old surgeon was
near TO consult, and Frank, then assistant
surgeon, performed his first surgical oper-
alton of amputation, one leg being ampu
tated then. and after an interval OF a few