The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-05-29
The Drowned at Dixon Bridge.


the river after the bridge at Dixon, ILL.,,
had fallen, was DIR. Hoffman, of that
village. When taken out he was full of
water and insensible. His sensations
while undergoing the process of drown
ing, make curious and interesting mar
rative. He tells his story as follows:
Ny wife and l went to see the baptism
of the converts, and took up n position
on the bridge about thirty feet from the
first pier, and between it and the abut-
ment. We were surrounded by people
men, women and children. Sudden
ly, while Mr.. Pratt was entering the
water with female, heard q report
similar to that made by a small cannon,
and in an instant the water closed over
me, and / felt that something was press
ing me down. A heavy weight appeared
to be over me. l did not sink to the
bottom. I was perfectly conscious, and
Immediately thought of getting out if
possible. My hands came in contact
with the trestle-work, and crawling up
as if ascending ladder, L was fortunate
in finding an opening, through which ]
crawled and Immediately came to the
surface. was then, as near as 1 can
Judge, about seventy or eighty feet
from the shore. / swan towards the
bank, but when near it my strength gave
out and [ sank. While swimming, some
person, who must have been under the
water, caught hold of my left leg, and
grasped tight for minute, preventing
me from going forward The person let
go as suddenly as he had taken hold,
and L gave stroke or two, when [ en-
countered dress. Thinking it was my
wife, who was standing beside me when
the span fell, I grabbed it, but having
become enervated, was obliged to let
it go.
When I sank I was still sensible of
the surroundings. l went apparently
very close to the bottom. The current
rolled me over and over, and my hands
| frequently came in contact with the
gravel. L could feel the water running
down my throat and in my ears, and all
at once experienced the most delightful
sensation. seemed to be at peace with
everything, and perfectly happy. My
whole life passed before me like flash
of lightning the events appearing in
sequence, the most prominent appear
ing to be indelibly impressed upon my
mind Circumstances | had forgotten
appeared wildly, and did not want to
be disturbed. [ should have preferred
to remain where l was. While in the
midst of a beatific reverie, thinking
what my wife would do if she were
saved, and drowned, felt hand on
my shoulder L was pulled out and
BILE, but gradually came to myself. Oh,
| |, IL n+,l,o L II IL
nov mes s1ck le ana Mregc19 U9 py lfS fUtn uuvuu n
hour, 1 was taken to my home. Here I
commenced vomiting, and frequently
elected water and artially- -digested food
until four o'clock in the afternoon.
was very thirsty after vomiting, and
tried to drink some water, but the taste
was so disagreeable that l could not
bear it. The only way I could quench
my thirst was by putting vinegar into
the water, about an ounce and half tC
a quarter of pint. was greatly as
tonished at the number of events thai
passed through my mind while under
the water. Nothing that occurred du
ing childhood was evident, but every
thing since 1 was about nineteen years
old appeared before me as if photo
graphed. The sensation L experienced
while the water was going down m,
throat was not unpleasant. 1t seemed
as if was going on journey, and wa
surrounded by all kinds of beautiful
things. The corpse of my wife wa
found after she had been in the waite
about three hours. 1t is said that Mrs
Hoffman's countenance was lighted III
with life-like smile, so peaceful ant
suggestive of such pleasant thought
when dying, that everybody's attention
was attracted to her.