The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-11-13
AFTER TWENTY-THREE YEARS.
Bullet is Removed from Il Lexington
Mans Spine.

Kansas city Times.
AS the result of an operation perform
ed Yesterday morning at st. Joseph
hospital by Drs. HALEY, Wilson, Fricl
and L.amdOn, Eugene VI. Ewing of Lex
inGtOn, Mo. may recover the use Of hi:
limbs and his sight. which lie los
Iwenty-three years ago from the effects
Of a pistol ball that lodged in his back
hone, touching the spinal cord and com
pleteiy paTaiy Zing him from the waist
downward
At The time of the shooting and again
in Isl attempts were made to extract
the bullet. but it could not be located
and the doctors gave it up. Ewing has
been. frequently Frustrated by paralytlC
strokes, and for months at a time would
be unable 10 move. At best he could
only get about in a wheel chair.
Finally, last August, it was suggested
that a new attempt be made to extract
the bullet, and he zane to Kansas City,
and DIR. j. \. Scott quickly located the
miSSil by means of AN y ray shadow
graph. 1t had embedded itself in the
backbone, in such u way that TO cut tt
out would imperil Ewings life. but he
decided to have the operation performed.
lie was advised TO spend Il month or SO
recnperating his strength, that he might
be better prepared for the shock.
Yesterday the operation was perform
ed, ard the doctors think 1t will prove
an unqualified success.
Ewing arrived in Kansas City Thurs
day night. lie was accompanied by
Judge William Young of tue Probate
court of Lafayette county They went
at once to st. JOseph's hospital, where
they remained Thursday night.
1T WAS DANGEROUS WORK.
Ewing was placed under the influence
of characterization NnctRfnAV- morning. and
the operation began. An incision about
one and q half inches long was made in
his back, Just under the shoulder blades,
and the bullet was found imbedded in
the bone of the spinal column. SO clOsly
was the bullet lodged within b bone
that it could not be drawn out. and after
a consultation the PHYSICIANS decided to
cut away some of the bone. This was
done, the spinal cord being plainly seen,
the piece of bone with the bullet
imbedded in it vas taken out. The in
cision in the back was dressed and then
Ewing is now resting easily
and on q fair road la recovery.
DIR. HALEY said that 1t was one OF the
most difficult and dangerous operations
that he had ever performed. In taking
the piece of bone in which the bnl-
let Was buried an opening more than
two inches in diameter was left in the
spinal column. IL was thought h OD-
would cost the daring subject
his life, but at the earnest solicitation
If Ewing and his friends, DIR. HALEY
consented to attempt it.
ALMOST A LIVING DEATH.
Eugene NJ. Ewing's life has been
spent almost wholly in Lexington. Mo.
Ia 1874 he was shot on the Main street
IF Lexington by 4 personal friend. The
'eason for the shooting has long since
100000 n roxCfarr Mona Mt tho nnrftQ0
who know the facts will discnss the
story at all. y 80 caliber revolver ball
his back just under the shoulder
blade. lie fell TO the street, as II dead,
md when he regained his senses was
10 be paralyzed from the waist
and almost totally bind.
After a few months he recovered tot
,uch an extent that he was able 10 walk
seeing things but dimly and walking
with an uncertain step. In 1876 an at
.empt was made at st. JOsephs hospital
n this city by Drs. HALEY of Kansas
'ity and L. S. FuikerSon of Lexington
% locate and extract the ball that was
still in his body, but, although a cut
vas made thirteen inches along the
spine, deep down 10 the ribs, the bullet
vas not found. Afterh his recovery from
his operation, almost as maj yelous as
lis first recovery, Ewing was able to go
tItftt to 1IOlR w ~ oA4 Ah
.SS3 he again became paraly Zed, as
when first shot, and has remained in
hat state until this day, although dur
ng the last year he has felt c%Onsiderl-
Die improvement.
The history of Ewing's struggles, per-
severance and achievements during the
asst twenty-three years is full Of paihos
md interest. For more than fifteen
ears he has wheeled himself about the
of Lexington in an invalid's
hair. doing odd jobs here and there as
/ stenographer. lie is an educated
nan. and always stood high in business
md social circles in his native town.
lis friends are numbered by hundreds
It Lexington.
Last night Ewing was the recipient of
many congratuiatory kilograms from his
lafayette county friends. lie expects
return to Lexington as soon as pos
ible.