The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-09-11
A Drowning Man,s Sensation.

DR.. Hoffman, survivor of the late disaster
by the fall of bridge at Dixon, ILL.,, in which
several persons were drowned-gives the fol-
lowing account of his experience: raa5
"My wife and went to see the baptism of
the converts, and took up position on the
bridge about thirty feet from the first pier, and
between it and the abutment We were sur
rounded by people-men, women and children.
Suddenly, while Mr.. Pratt was entering the
water with a female, heard a report similar to
that made by a small cannon, and in an instant
the water closed over me, and Ifelt something
was pressing me down. A heavy weight ap-
peaIed to be over me. i did not sink to the
bottom. was perfectly conscious, and imne-
diately thought of getting out if possible: My
hands came in contact with the trestle:work,
and crawling up as ifascending ladder. I was
fortunate in finding an opening through which
I crawled and Immediately rose to the surface.
I was then, as near as. can Judge, seventy or
eighty feet from the shore, swan toward the
bank, but when near it my strength gave out,
and I sank. While swimming, some person,
who must have been under the water, caught
hold of my left leg, and grasped it tight, for
minute preventing me from going forward. The
person let go as suddenly as he had taken hold,
and gave stroke or two, when encountered
dress. Thinking it was my wife, who was
standing by me when the spar fell, grappled
it, but having become enervated, was Obliged
to let it CO. Twas almost exhausted at the
time, and do not know that tile dress was that
of my wife. 1 did not notice it particularly.
My thoughts were almost solely confined to
her, and imagined when saw the dress that
it was hers. When I sank I was still sensible
of the surroundings. I 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 every
thing, and perfectly happy. Ny whole life
passed before me like flash Of lightning, the
nent appearing to be indelibly impressed upon
my mind. Circumstances had forgotten ap-
peared vividly, and did not to want be dis
turbed. I should have preferred to remain
yhereI was While in the midst of beaptihc
reverie, thinking what my wife would do If she
were saved, and drowned, L felt hand onmy
shoulder. was pulled out and placed upon
rock. I was almost insensible, but gradually
came to myself. o, how sick and wretched 1
felt! After remaining on the rock about an
hour was taken home. Here I commenced
vomiting, and frequently elected water and
partially digested food until four o'clock in the
afternoon: I was taken out of the water about
six hundred feet below the. bridge. was very
thirsty after vomiting, and tried to crlnk some
water, but the taste was so disagreeable that
could not bear it. The only way could quench
my thirst was by putting vinegar into the wa,
ter about an ounce and half to quarter Of q
pint. That struck me as rather a curious cir
cumstance. was astonished at the great NUM-
Der of events that passed through my mind
while under the water. Nothing that occurred
dar:a- childhood was evident, but everything
since was about nineteen appeared before me-
as if photographed. The sensation I expert
enced while the water was going down my
throat was not unpleasant. 1t seemed as If
was going on a journey and was surrounded 6y
all Kinds of beautiful things. While on the
rock I felt very badly, and desired to be left
alone. The sudden transition from the beatifc
state in the water to the dry land seemed to
have bad effect, and made me Indifferent to
what was going on around me- Several per-
SONS came to me and wanted to take me home,
but told them to let me alone, I was SO miser-
able"