Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-01-26

NARROW ESCAPE FROM A TERRIBLE
DEATH.-A correspondent OF the Boston
Journal gives that paper an account ola
curious affair which occurred in the town
of Hill, N. H., on the 18th inst, and which
came near resulting in a sad tragedy.
About o'clock in the afternoon, as a resi-
dent of the town was driving home from
his work through a sparsely settled dis
trict, he noticed that the house of one of
his neighbors presented an unusual APP
pearance. There were many indications
that the family we're not about. He OBJ
served no smoke rising from the chimney,
and the wind had filled up the path through
the yard with snow. He drew up Lis horse
for moment, thinking that he heard hui
man sound like groan issuing from the
house. Apprehensive that something was
wrong, he quickly made his way throu b
the snow to the house and gained an en-
trance. The rooms were very cold, and
there were no signs that any one had been
about since morning. In a moment be
heard faint moan, apparently coming
from dark closet near the front door. He
quickly unfasened the door OF the closet
and beheld on the floor the inanimate form
of Mrs. Salomi p. Sanborn, an elderly lady
Of feeble health, with whom he was ac-
quainted. The limbs of the woman were
stiff with cold, and she was unable TO ar
ticulate distinctly. He carried her into the
sitting room and built fire, and then sum-
moned the nearest neighbor. physician
was also called, and the other members OF
the family sent for.
After being restored to consciousness, in
the evening Mrs. Sanborn related the story
other terrible sufIerings during the day.
She had been left alone in the morning,
the head OF the family being at his work,
and at her request the wife going away TO
attend upon very sick neighbor. Soon
after being lefl alone she was seized with
severe faintlng spell and tried to walk 10
the door in order 10 get sOme fresh air, but
in her weakness and confusion she acct
denially opened the closet door, which sud
denly closed with a strong spring lock up-
on the outside, and she, unable 10 help her
sell, fell 10 the floor. This was the only
part OF her experience which she remem-
bers. She had recollections, however, Of
partial realization of her terrible condition.
Dho So"I" neat 'eaulS passing Al intervals,
and she would try 10 make herself beard,
but in her weakness she was unable to
arouse any one. She beard The clock strike
hourly until noon, when, convinced that
she could not survive until the family re.
turned, she gave up all hope, and unable
10 make any further effort for relief she
awaited death in her dark prison.
She said she dreamed of attempting 10
cut holes through The door near the lock.
An examination of the premises proved
that the poor woman had, in her delirium,
found knife and actually cut two holes
through the door, as she had related, but
the opening did not enable her TO push
back the bolt. Her story and the diseov-
elies made showed that the sutferngs Of
the woman during TIE nine hours she was
imprisoned must have been terrible. Her
frozen limbs testified 10 The clld which she
had endured, while the wounds upon her
hands showed how desperately she had
struggled In her desperation TO gain access
TO the lock. The latest account from her is
that, notwithstanding her age and feeble
health, there Is possb ility that size may
recover.