Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-02-14
Shstt5es from Gife.
A WONDERFUL REVELATION.

IL ttCto utItllitlAtCIl HttIldtcl OCCulIc
in the year 1918, and were fully confirm.
ed to John f. Watson, Of Philadelphia, b.
Commodore Rogers, in 1924, through tht
medium Of Joseph Nourse, Esq, Register
of the Treasury. The narrative, as fol
lows, was published in the Norristowr
Herald OF the 9Th July, 1929:
Although the events now for the frs
| time recorded, occurred ten years ago
they are still fresh in my recollection, anG
and nave made SO strong an impression
upon my mind, that time can never oblit
crate them. They partake so much of tn,
marvellous, that would not dare to com
nit them to paper, were there not 50 man,
living witnesses to the truth Of the fact
narrated; some of them of the greatest re
spectability, and even sanctioned by Com
modore Rogers. The story is considered
by all who have heard it, too interesting
to be lost / therefore proceed to thu
task, while those are in existence who car
confirm it.
Living in an enlightened age and conn
try, where bigotry and superstition liav'
nearly lost their influence over the mind
of men, particularly among the citizens 0
this republic, where knowledge is so uni
versally diffused, have often been deter
red from relatinga circumstance, SO won
derful as to stagger the belief of the mos
credulous; but facts are stubborn things
and the weight of testimony in this cast
cannot be resisted. Unable for the wan
of time or room to enter into any partic
ulars as could wish, / viii give to the
best of my recollection, the most prom
nent and striking occurrences in the order
in which they took place, without comment
or establishment.
Some time in the latter part of Decem
Der, 1912, man by the name of William
Kemble, aged about % years, seaman
on board Of the United States frigate
President, commanded by Com. Rogers
on a cruise, then near the Western Islands
was brought to me from one of the tops
in which he had been stationed, having
bursted vessel in his lungs. Being al
that time in danger of instant death, the
blood gushing with great violence from
his mouth and nostrils, it was with much
difficulty that succeeded in stopping the
discharge. He was Immediately put on
the use Of remedies suited to his case.
visited him often, and had the best oppor-
tunity Of becoming acquainted with his
temper, habits, and intellectual attain
ments, and under all circumstances during
his illness, found his language and beha-
Ivior such as stamped him the rough, pro-
fame and illiterate sailor. i is my belief
though | cannot positively assert if, that
he could neither read or write. tits Ger.
tain that his conversation never differed
in the least from that Of the most ignorant
and abandoned of his associates
stantly mixed with oaths and the lowest
vulgarity. Had he possessed talents OF
learning, he must have betrayed it to me
during his long confinement.
In the early part Of January, vessel
bore down upon us, with every appear
ance, Of being an jaglish frigate. All
ter short and animated address by the
Commodore to the crew, all prepared to
do their duty. Before descended to the
cockpit, well knowing Kemble's spirit
and how anxious he would be to partake
in the glory of the victory, defeat never
entering their thoughts,) I thought it bet
ter to visit him. After stating to him
the peculiar situation he was in, and the
great danger he would be exposed to, by
the least motion, / entreated him and or
dcred him not to stir during the action
which he promised to observe. We were
soon obliged to fire. At the sound Of
the first gun he could restrain himself no
longer-regardless Of my admonition, and
of his own danger, he rushed upon deck
and flew to his gun, laying hold to help to
run her out. A fresh and tremendous dis
charge from his lungs was the consequence
and he was brought down to me again, in
a most deplorable state.
apprehended immediate death, but by
the application of the proper remedies, !
succeeded, once more, in stopping the
hemorrhage, by which he was reduced to
a state Of extreme debility. Being near
the equator, and suffering much from heat
his hammock was hung upon the gun deck
between the ports, as affording the best
circulation of air. He continued some
time free from hemorrhage, but was under
constant use Of medicines, and was con.
fined to particular diet. This made him
| fretfnl, and he would frequently charge
my mates with starving him, and at the
same time damning them in true sailor
style. After some time, being again called
to quarters at night, he was. necessarily
removed below to the sick berth. (com
monty called bay;) this was followed by
another discharge of blood from his lungs
which was renewed, at intervals, until bis
death
On the 18th Of January, in the after
noon, DR.. -, (my first mate,) came to
me on deck, and reported Kemble to be
dead. | directed him to see that his mess
mates did what was usual on such oeca
sions, preparatory to committing his re,
mains to the deep.
| About two hours after this DR.. ----
again called upon me, and said that KEN
Bile had come to life, and was holding forth
to the sailors in strange way. I direct
| " went down, where witnessed one q
the most remarkable and unaccountablt
transactions, that perhaps has ever falle1
to the lot of man to behold Kemble had
awakened, as it were, from sleep, raised
himself up, called for his messmates in par
! ticular, and those men who were not OF
duty, to attend to his words. He tolt
them he had experienced death, but wa
allowed a short space Of time to return
and give them, as well as the officers, som,
direction for their future conduct in life
! In this situation I found him, surround
ed by the crew, all mute with astonish
ment, and paying the most serious atten
Is