The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-04-07
A Strange sforu. bat True.
GSt. Paul Pioneer Press. /

A Strange sforu. bat True.
/ lst. Paul Pioneer Press
The experiences of Jonas Nilsson, a
/ lumberman, which are now briefly to be
related, will be regarded extrayagant
and extraordinary, but they are never
theless true in all essential particulars.
1t appears that during the past winter
Nilsen had been employed at one of The
numbering camps, until about three
weeks ago, when portion of tree fell
on him while he was engaged at chopping
in the woods, inficting injuries which
were believed to be fatal from the first.
Nilsson was carried to the camp by his
companions, and after period of ex-
treme suffering he began to fail, finally
becoming unconscious, pulseless, and
with the pallor of death overspreading
his countenance.
The men at the camp naturally con-
cluded that their unfortunate companion
and associate was dead, as no sign of life
could be detected. The body of the
supposed dead man was placed in the
only coffin which could be had at the
camp-a long dry box-and the remains
were sent by wagon to the nearest rail
road station, and from thence forwarded
to an old personal friend of Nilson's,
gentleman named John Peterson, who
resides near the brick-yard, in this city.
The body, after arriving in Minneapolis,
was conveyed to the residence of Mr..
Peterson, according to directions, but was
kept for two days in order TO complete
the preparations for decent burial.
While lying in the rude coffin at the
residence of Mr.. Peterson another old ac-
quaintance called to see the body of his
dead friend, and during his stay he gave
the corpse close and critical examina-
ton. Something about it produced a
profound impression upon the visitor,
and he suddenly looked up with apleased
but startled expression and exclaimed,
"Why, Jonas Nilsson is not dead !" While
the majority of those present did not
place any special confidence in the gen.
tleman's pleasant remark, all agreed that
an attempt to bring the body to life
would not do any harm, even if it failed
in accomplishing any actual good. Nil
sons body was lifted from the coffin,
placed in comfortable he'd, and such
restorative, as were available and sugges-
tive were administered. Under the treat
ment trace of life's healthy blood re-
vealed itself on the pallid surface of the
body, and by the end of two hours, the
eyes of the supposed dead man gradually
opened and rested upon those present,
with the rays of returning consciousness
and intelligence plainly discerned by the
bystanders.
The establishment and joy OF his
friends was SO great that at first no one
ventured to speak to the resurrected
lumberman, but at last one CT those pres
ent ventured the question: " Nilsson, are
you cold p Without moving his body,
but with his eyes resting on the inter
locutor, Nilsson family answered with the
single word, YES" The friends thus
strangely assembled together redoubled
their exertions, and a physician was sum-
moned Nilsson was made as warm and
comfortable as possible, and since the
date of his resuscitation, the attention
bestowed upon him has been tender and
unremitting, and he is responding to the
friendly Offices of those around him
with evidence of gradual but certain
improvement.
The strange trance which was re-
garded as the sign of final dissolution
by his friends of the camp and city, con-
tinued for period of two weeks: and
one of the most astonishing features of
the case is that Jonas Nilsson was not
prematurely buried and thus disposed
of" in earnest. Physicians and others
who may feel an interest in the remark
able case above recorded can verify the
statements made or obtain additional
particulars by calling at the residence of
Mr.. Peterson in the locality indicated.
The story, incredible as it may appear to
the public, is substantially true, the only
exceptions possibly being in minor points
not affecting the general accuracy of a
narrative which must coIifound both
wisdom and science, as one of the most
curious on record.