The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-06-14

l The sensation of Drowning
The following story of drowning scnsa.
ion,' was related by Mr. Hoffman who had
the misfortune to lose his wife in the late
Dixon disaster, and came near losing his
own life by being on the bridge at the time
My wife and | went to sec the baptism of
the converts, and took up "a position on the
bridge about thirty feet from the first pier,
and between it and the abutment We were
surrounded by people-mcn, women and
children. Suddenly, while Mr.. Pratt was en-
tering the water with IA female, | heard u re.
port similar to small cannon and in an in.
slant the water closed over me, and felt that
something was pressing me down. A heavy
weight appeared to be over me. did not sink
to the bottom. | was perfectly conscious
and Immediately thought of getting out if
possible. My hands came in contact with
the trestle work, and crawling up rs ifascend.
ing ladder, | was fortunate in finding an
opening through which | crawled and imme.
diatcly rose to the surface. | swan toward
the bank, but when near 1t my strength gave
out, and sank. While swimming, some per
son who must have been under water, caught
hold of my left leg, and grasped it tight for IA
minute, preventing me from going forward.
The person let go as suddenly as he had tax.
en- hold, gave stroke or two when en-.
ICountered a dress. Thinking it was my wife
who was standing beside me when the bridge
fell, grappled it, but having become enerva.
ted, was oblidged to let it 90. was almost
exhausted at the time and do not know the
dress was that of my wife, did not notice it
particularly. My thoughts were almost sole
~ confined to her, and | imagined when
saw the dress, it was hers.
When | sank | was still sensible of the
] /
to the bottom. The current rolled me over
and over, and my hands frequently came in
contact with the gravel. 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 Il flash of lightning,
the events appeared in sequence, the most
prominent appearing to be indelibly stamp
en- upon my mind. Circumstances had for |
cotton appeared wildly, and | did not want
to be disturbed. should have preferred to
remain where | was. While in the midst of
beatitc reverie, thinking what my wife would |
do if she were saved, and | drowned, | felt IA |
hand on my shoulder. | was pulled out and |
placed on Il rock. | was almost insensible, |
but gradually came to myself Oh how sick
and wretched felt.
After remaining on the rock about an hour,
| was taken to my home-Here commenced
vomiting and frequently elected water and
partially digested food until o'clock in the
afternoon. | was taken out of the water
about 600 feet below the bridge | was very
thirsty after vomiting, and tried to drink
some water, but the taste was so disagreeable
that | could not bear it. The only way |
could quench my thirst was by putting vim
egar into the water, about an ounce and half
to quarter of Il pint That struck me as
rather curious circumstance. | was greatly
astonished at the number Of events that pass
ed through my mind while under the water.
Nothing that occurred during childhood was
evident, but everything since | was 10 years
old appeared before me as photographed.
The sensation | experienced while the water
was going down my throat was not unpleas-
ant. 1t seemed as if | was going on Il jour
ney, and was surrounded by all kinds of beau
tiful things. While on the rock | felt very
bad and desired to be left alone The sudden
from the beautiful state in the wa.
ter to the dry land seemed to have a bad ct.
feet, and made me Indifferent to what was
going on around me. Several people came to
me and wanted to take me home but | told
hem to let me alone was so miserable.
The corpse of his wife was found after she
had been in about three hours 1t is said that
Mrs. Hoffman's cOuntenance was lighted upl
with life-like smile, so peaceful and sugges-
i've Of such pleasant thoughts when dying,
hat everybody's attention was attracted to
I'rtb.