The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-27

How IT FEELS TO DRowN.-My vile
and went 70 see the baptism ,9f the
converts, and took np 9 position on TIE
bridge, about thirty feet from the sarst
pier, and between it and the abutment.y
We were surrounded by people-nnen,
women and children. Suddenly, while
Mr.. Pratt was entering the water with
female, I heard report similar to that
made by small cannon, and in an in
stant the water closed over me, and T
felt that something was pressing me
down. A heavy weight appeared to be
over me. did not sink to the bottom.
1 was perfectly conscious, and in.medi-
stsiy thought of getting out if possible.
My hands camo in contact with the tres
tie work. and. crawling up as if ascend
ing ladder. was fortunate il finding
all opp eg, through which I orawlcd,
aud immediately rose to the surface.
was then, ss near as I can Judge, about
seventy or eighty feet from the shore. I
swan toward tho 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
bold, and l gave stroke or two, when
l encountered dress. Thinking it was
my wife, who was standing besids me
when the span fell, 1 grabbed it, but,
having become enervated. 1 was obliged
to let it go. was almost exhausted at
the time, and do not know that the
dress was that of my wife. I did not
notice it particularly. My thoughts were
almost solely confined to her, and 7 i'm.
agined. when I saw the dress, it was hers.
When I sank I was still sensible Of
surroundings. I wont apparently very
close to the bottom. The current rolled
me over and over, aud my hands fre-
quently came in contact with tho gravel.
/ could feel the water running down my
throat and in my ears and all at once ex-
perienced the most delightful sensation
l seemed to be at peace with everything
and perfectly happy. My whole life
flashed before me like fash Of light.
ming. the events appearing In sequence,
the most prominent appearing to be in
delibly impressed upon my mind. Cir
ounstances I had forgotten appeared
wildly, and did not want to be dis
turbed. I should have preferred to re-
main where I Was. While in the midst
OF q beautiful reverie, thinking what nv
wife would do if she were saved and 1
were drowned, / felt hand on my
shoulder. was pulled out and placed
on rock. was almost insensible, but
gradually came to myself. Oh, how sick
ind wretohed felt
After remaining on the rock about an
hour. I was taken to my home. Here 1
commenced vomiting, and frequently
elected water and partially digested food
until 4 O'Clock in the afternoon. was
taken ont Of the water 600 feet below
the bridge. 7 was very thirsty after
vomiting, and tried to drink some water.
bat the taste was 80 disagreeable that I
could not bear it. The only way I could
quench my thirst was by putting vinegar
into the. water, about an ounce and a
halt to quarter of pint. That struck
me as q rather curious circumstance. I
was greatly astonished at the number of
events that passed Though my mind
while under the water. Nothing that
occurred during childhood was evident,
but everything since I was about nine
teen years old appeared before me as il
photographed. The sensation I expe-
rienoed whiln the water was going down
my throat was not unpleasant. It seamed
as ii l was going on journey and wne
surrounded by all kinds of beautiful
things. While on tho rock, felt very
bad and desired to be let alone. The
sudden transition from the beatific state
in the water to the dry land seemed to
have bad effect, and made me indiffer-
ent to what was going on around me.
Several people came to me and wanted
to take me home, but told them to let
me alone, was 30 miserable. The corpse
Of my wife was found after she had been
in the water about three hours. It is
said that Mrs. Hoffmnn's countenance
was lighted up with lfe-like smile, 80
peaceful and suggestive of such pleasant
thoughts whom dying that everybody 3
attention was attracted to her.
Chicago Tribune
LIBERIA. Shufeldt, of the
United States ship Plymouth, writes
from Monrovia, March 2Gth, to the Navy
Department about the condition Of tho
colony of Liberia. He is glad to find
that there has been no retrogression in
the COLONY but ai1mita that thoro hoo