From the July 15, 1847 Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

“Philadelphia–On Tuesday evening last, in Decatur Street, William Rushworth and Patrick McGuire quarreled, a regular fight ensued, when the former got the latter down, throttled him until his tongue protruded from his mouth, and then bit it off. The physicians fear death will ensue from mortification or lock jaw, and in case of recovery he will be deprived of the power of articulation.”