The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-12-21

IL seems to me that there ~ callous
ness in the public mind on this subject
amounting TO criminality. II is seldom We
our view-we take, indeed, the most effec
tual means TO silence them, by hiding their
bodies in the earth We preclude our
selves from inquiring II they died by dis
ease or were stiHed by relatives through
premature interment The living are sale
from reproaches, for the grave is voceless
But At times public attention has been
awakened BY an incident like that above
related. Burial places are chansed-the
ground being required for other purposes
and in removing the ashes ofthe lead some
collins are examined and horrible suspi-
cions are whispered for day or two. and
then "hIshed up
Again, the instances Of persons supposed
dead being resuscita'ed by means OF acci.
dents TO their collins or other fortnitou.
circumstance, before final interment. are
numerous, and for a time, attract aiten
ton. In these cases there are no fear. Of
wounding the feelings Of surviving rela
uves. DR. Waiterson, in an essay on .Pre-
mature lnterments, published some wears
since, gives the following Interesting sum
mary of incident. OF this class.
Sin tho conrse Of twelve years. ninety.
four cases OF premature burial were pre-
vented 10y iortuitous circumstances. OF
these, thirty-'our persons came back TO lite
the moment the funeral ceremonie. wer.
about to commence; thirteen recovered by
the tender care and attention of their G,mi
lies; seven from the all Of the collins. nine
from injuries inflicted by the needle. fv,
from sensations of suiIocation: nineteen
from accidental DELAYS, and six from doubt.
entertained Of their death
But it is impossible to summarize the
instances OF persons buried alive. Dead
men tell no tales. Those OF US who have
lived to middle age, and have had access
To the current news Of the dav. can e,cb
recall instances like that described in ib,
Citizen which nave from time to time been
published. When di-interment- nave ia
ken place, on removing the cofIii.l lid ia.
spectator bias been shocked at no,icin,
same change OF position OF :he corpse. The
limbs, which are orderly placed at death
have been drawn up or otherwise cbarp Il
IN position the head turned Awry, or ia,
body partially turned upon It's .ide
recall one case in which It WAS said tl.at
the corpse had been completely turned
over upon it, face and the evidence OF DIS
turhance OF the bodies subsequent to inter-
ment have been So numerous and .o deci.
"ed AS I" Indicate that no small percentage
OF those who sleep in our graveyard, were
prematurely buried
The ghastIlnes- Of the subject .hould mo-,
prevent ~ ir"m considering it. and sivi,,,
1t that discussion which may be necp,.ar,
TO effect remedy. The gate of ,I,,t.,
must soone" or later open Tor each nt fl.
but We would much prefer to glide through
naturally than in this horrible mnI,. --
w bile this subject nddrc. -rs itself f., eyer,
individual, few seem disposed 10 riv, i,
heed. The Young regard death n far az
It don't concern them the mddle-agrJore
intensely absorbed with the active cares ot
lite while the old lit trembiinely AT death.
portal, more thrilled w,,h the ikea OF the
maj struggle than the possibility Of bri .