Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-02-28
A Remarkable story.
OceRc.1

OCiIitCh VI nIlduclpuLi, WHO was ucCl1roO
dead on Sunday morning, Jan. n, and
alive and well at noon, has been referred
to. Later reports as to Mr.. Schrack' g con-
dition make it clear that this instance of
suspended animation, in its experiences
and effects, is one Of the most extraordina-
ry on record. There have been many
cases Of suspended animation that have
puzzled the doctors. and have shed flick
ering, unsteady light on the mystery of
the life after death, but compared with the
most notable of these the case OF Mr..
Schrack presents many new features.
Among the well-rcmcmbered cases of
suspended animation in the past was that
of the Rev. VIM. Tennent, Which created
great excitement some fifty years ago.
MIR. Ternent, to all appearances dead, had
been placed in the coffin, and the coffin
had been carried to the grave. He return
ell to consciousness in the midst OF the fil-
neral ceremonies, and, on being fully re-
stored. spoke of what he had seen in the
spirit world. He came from the dcath-like
trance as ignorant as child, and it was
only after years of patient study that
page of Latin over which he had been vain
ly struggling suddenly became plain to
him, and he regained his learning as mys-
teriously as he had lost it.
In many particulars the case of MIR.
Schrack is more remarkable than was that
of Mr.. Tennent. and will doubtless cause
as much excitement and provoke as much
discussion. Mr.. Schrack, merchant of
Philadelphia, is about 30 years of age
Last September he had severe attack Of
hemorrage Of the lungs, and became an in
valid. He was afflicted with nervous
spasms of the heart, and three weeks ago
his case was pronounced hopeless. He
lost flesh rapidly, could not retain food or
medicine on his stomach, and moved his
limbs with difficulty. On Wednesday,
Jan. q, he had ill, followed with
spasms at the heart. On Saturday the Vi
Olent attacks were followed by rapid chan
2cs in the mans appearance. The entire
left side ofhis body became numb and al
most useless. About nine O'Clock Satur-
day night his eyesight began failing, he
lost the sense of hearing, and talked with
greatest difficulty. About O'Clock Sum
day morning the tips of his fingers be-
came, he says. like lead. At this time he
was blind and suffering terribly. His stom,-
ach was swollen and greatly inflamed, and
the spasms were marked by Increasing vi
olence. just before seven o'clock, as the
attendants changed the position of his
body, he exclaimed, s'Thr0w me over.''
and, to all appearances, expired. His
limbs became cold and rigid, and there was
on his face the usual signs Of dissolution.
A hand-mirror placed over his tace show
ed no sign OF breathing. - effl
About IL o'clock the clothes were re-
moved from the body. preparatory to
washing. As the attendants lifted the sup
posed corpse from the bed . g,oan was
hearl. A hurried examination developed
the fact that the man was not dead. The
body was wrapped in blankets, and bot
ties Of hot water placed between them.
Other restoratives were used, under the di-
rections ola physician- Ths aick man was
thrown into violent prespiration, and in
short time regained consciousness. At
7o'clock. when he had ceased to brsathe,
he was helpless, blind, almost speechless,
and In great pain. Whenhe revived, four
hours later, he was ffee from pain, had ne
gained sight and speech, and therc were
present none of the symptoms Of disease.
On Monday he continued to Improve, and
convened freely a to hisexperionces. On