The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-06

a CASE OF SUPERSEDED AEIxATIoE.--
The st. Louis Republican has the following
account OF curious case of suspended AMI
nation:
"On Monday night last Mr.. Joseph FIRE.
derrick Heitkam, -aAGerman, who resided
over his store ut 907 south Fourth street,
was reported to have died suddenly. The
funeral was possponed-it is deferred in
definitely.
On Christmas Eve, just as the store was
closed, the clerk handed Mr.. Heitkamp
watch, and was surprised that he let it
drop on the floor. Subsequently, when MIR.
Heitkamp attempted to unlock the safe to
put some money in it, it was observed
that ne could not ind the keyhole, and was
neaTd to remark that he could not see
clearly. AT the time the clerk handed him
the watch he had just finished trimming
turkey lot the Christmas dinner. it ap-
peared as II two Of his fingers had been
partially paralyzed, and little while after
wards it was noticed that he dragged one
leg when walking across the store, as if he
had received paralytio stroke. Suisse
quently his speech became affected, then
one side. His daughter said to her mo Their
that he seemed strangely, and when
it was evident that he had been Yisi-
ted by illness of some kind, he was
placed on the clerks bed in the
rear Of the store, and DR.. Gregory
was called in. All possible medicinal aid
was afforded, but no restoration took place,
and after lingering until Monday night
death appeared to have supervened, and, rs
above mentioned the funeral was duly
advertised to take place on Wednesday
We now come to the singular features in the
case-viz., the causes for the postponement
of the funeral. According to the rumor
which prevailed, the body was free from
some of the ordinary indications of death,
and some hours subsequent to his sup
posed decease it was alleged faint trace of
perspiration was perceptbile.
"The strangest feature in this affair is an
apparent premonition of his long sleep
which Mr.. Heitcamp received in dream,
and which he related to his daughter jose
phine fourteen days before he had the pa
ralytic stroke. This was in substance as
follows: .-,i.--.
" Josephine, have had most singular
dream, which I must tell you. / dreamed
that was taken sick and lost my power of
speeCus l NdS pIOuOuuCCu tSu1S huu WOO
placed in o coffin. understood what was
going on, but was unable to speak to you.
I was taken to the church, which was full
of people, and when you were mourning
over me burst the end of the coffin out
with my feet, then broke the lid off, got out,
and all the people in the church. except the
carriage-driver, became so frightened that
they ran out of it. The driver remained
I" This dream was not regarded seriously
by his daughter, but the recollection Of it
was revived upon his being taken i'll and
his supposed decease.
"Apnrt, however, from this most curious
premonition, it is claimed that there is good
reason for postponing the funeral. The
body is entirely destitute of any traces of
decomposition, and has not the ordinay RI
gidity and aspect Of corpse four days old.
CDR. Gregory pronounced him dead, and
said he would stake his reputation for it..
He, however, told the axious family to keep
the body until they were themselves con-
vinced of it. One or two other doctors have
corroborated DR.. Gregory in his opinion.
Quite number of persons have called to
see the body.
"The case is one of interest, and will re-
pay Investigation by the medical fraternity.
The family are determined not to have the
body inferred until there are some indica-
tions either of life or DEATH"