The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-24
RUSSELL IS DYING.
Mysterious Outcome of a Sc
we're Electric Shock.
TISSUES WERE DEADENED
Awful Agony Is Bringing on
Lockjaw and Death.

Walter H Russell, who received such
an intense shock of electricity about three
weeks ago, is dying by inches, at the
home OF Albert Lite, 1247 South Fannie
avenue, where he has been tenderly cared
for ever since the day Of the accident
Russell is the young man who took hold
Of a live wire on the morning Of March 9,
and who startled the scientific men Of the
community by successfully withstanding
an estimated electric current Of 2750 volts,
but at last he is slowly succumblng TO an
awful agony, and was yesterday reported
to be dying. Electricity has never played
a more mysterious part than has been
'demonstras=S - the accident Of young
Russell When he untnoughtedly took hold
of the gIy-wire in the presence Of the
workmen at Steffens new ice plant, ne
was rendered unconscious instantly, and
a bystander jerked him away from the
wire apparently Iifeless and laid his body
upon the ground. Part of the flesh OF his
hands was left clinging to the wire. Smoke
issued from the mans clothing and from
the soles Of his shoes, and the odor OF
burnt flesh was detected by those who
hurried 10 the scene. Yet he was not
dead. To the surprise of every eye-wit-
ness, he soon began to regain conscious
ness, and although suffering severely, he
was able to walk to his boarding place
within a short time after the accident. It
IS said that the guy-wire was crossed with
several arc light wires, and received a.
1.--.R,@ ? hr.r1l
When visited by a reporter for the Eagle,
Mr.. Russell was found to be very badly
burned. His hands showed evidence of
the severity Of the burn, but it was thought
rs would soon get we'll. The worst injury,
however, was not known Of at the time.
This was a large hole which had been
burned in the bottom of the left foot.
reaching 20 the tendons and arteries and
this wound is supposed to be the seat of
the terrible pain which has at last been
carried throughout the entire muscular
system, until the young man has got be
yond the point Of relief. He has been
growing gradually worse ever since the
accident occurred.
It is said, also, that the electric cur
rent has destroyed the tissues lining the
them incapable of being rebuilt, where
upon the organs must eventually die.
DR.. Kitchener, who mas been attending
Russell has had a great deal of trouble
with the wound IN the foot It was found
necessary the other day to make a crit
icaE examination of the wound, which was
giving Russell such intense pain. The
foot was found 10 be in horrible condition.
The physicians probed the wound and it
IS said that all Of the tendons OF the foot
had been burned so severely that they
had rotted and were falling out. The
physicians took their instruments and
caught hold Of the ends of the rotten ten
dons and pulled them out like strings.
This sloughing Of the tendons is said TO
be the effects of the burn of the electric
fluid. which has likewise affected nearly
all OF the membranes Of the system, so
that it is no wonder that the unfortunate
man is slowly dying.
RusseTs first muscular trouble began in
his left toe. The large toe began to bend
down involuntarily and with intense pain.
The patient would prop it up on the other
toes and get relief for a short time. Next
the other toes. one by one, began to bend
and the pain increased. Then the entire
foot became distorted; then the fingers Of
the burned hand. and now. it is said, his
head is beginning to draw back, and every
part Of the body IS more or less affected
by the muscles governing It, until the
mans pain has become almost unbearsb Bile
Yesterday he had every symptom Of ap-
preaching loCkjaw, and it was by the
greatest effort that he was sufficiently re-
Taxed to save him from the attack His
condition became so serious that his faith
er, who lives at Monmouth. Kan, was
telegraphed for and was expected to ar
rive last nieht