The Sad Tale of William S Flynn, Part 2
STILL CLINGS TO LIFE
If He Recovers, Flynn Will Never See Daylight.
Bullet Penetrated Both Eyeballs.
Pierced Right and Left and Lodged in the Skull
William S. Flynn still clings to life at the Beverly Hospital, although the vital thread which holds his soul and body together is so slight that it may snap at any minute, making the chances of his recovery almost infinitesimal.
The death of the unfortunate young man is perhaps more to be desired than his recovery, as the wound which he inflicted on himself is of such a fearful nature that prolonged life would be a terrible burden to himself and his relatives.
In all the particulars which have been given by the press concerning this sad case, very little has been said as to the nature of the wound which the shot caused. The bullet entered the right side of the head, passed right through to the other side and is still in the skull, and can be felt under the left temple. When this is understood, it will be seen how marvelous his continued existence is.
A News reporter called on Dr. G.A. Stickney yesterday afternoon, who courteously gave valuable time in explaining the nature of the wound. The doctor gave a more scientific explanation than the newspaper style admits, but translated into the English of everyday use it is very easy to understand.
It appears that the ball entered at the angle of the right eye-that is, the forward part of the right temple-opposite the center of the eyeball. Flynn probably intended that the bullet should go in a backward direction and pierce the brain, which would of course have caused immediate death. It is evident that the revolver twitched and threw the lead in a rather forward direction, so that when it penetrated the bone of the temple it passed through the right optic cavity, that is, pierced the right eyeball, then crashed through the bony superstructure of the nose, pierced the left eyeball, and having spent most of its force, was not strong enough to break its way out of the left temple, but came against it with so much impact that it can be felt.
The ball kept so near the surface that the doctors do not think the brain itself was touched, but the violent shock to the optic nerves would conduct inflammation to the brain, which in itself might be cause enough for death.
Of course this means that Flynn is now and will be totally blind as long as he lives, as he has virtually blown both eyes out. Altogether, this injury is about as ghastly and shocking as could well be imagined, and leads one to think that the immediate death sought for would have been preferable.
Dr. Stickney says that Flynn's chances for life are exceedingly small. He has never heard of an individual injured in such a manner having recovered.
Transcribed from the Salem Evening News, September 1896