The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-14
NEARLY BURIED ALIVE.
IChambers, Jonrnal.l


are narrated two or three instances of
narrow escapes from interment before
the proper time, and which occurred on
the Continent. Such occurrences, says a
correspondent, to whom We are indebted
for the following experiences, are by no
means unknown in this country, even
though burial seldom follows closely
upon death; for in my limited circle in a
comparatively obscure country town |
have met with several such, and | doubt
not that other cases could be adduced
which should at least teach that special
care should be taken TO prove that the
supposed corpse is r ally dead.
The following account was given ME
by the son of a lady who was within a
few hours of being consigned to the grave
upon the supposition that she was dead
This lady, the wife of a captain i'll the
royal navy, and in the middle of life,
had for a considerable time been a source
of great anxiety TO her husband and fam
lily from failing health, and the house
hold had removed from the neighborhood
of London into notedly salubri-
Gus part of Devonshire, hoping that
milder climate would have a
beneficial effect upon the invalid.
Their hopes were, however, disappointed,
as no Improvement in the health of the
patient took place; and both husband and
family felt that in very short time
their house would be invaded by death,
and they would have to mourn the loss
g ln Of hn
patient was gradual in the extreme: one
stage of weakness after another was
reached, till at last the apparent transi-
ton came, and Mrs. -, to all appear
ance, died. 1t was midwinter when this
happened, the weather very cold; and as
the house occupied by the family was re-
mote from some of the friends and rela-
tives who were invited to attend the
funeral, which was to take place about a
week after the supposed death, these
were requested, or found it necessary, to
reach Captain -'s residence the eve
ming before the day appointed for the in
terment of the lady. Having reached
the house of mourning, they adjourned
to the chamber of death, and gazed upon
the lifeless form of her whom they had
so long revered and loved.
Dinner was served, and sad doleful
meal it was. As usual they went to the
drawing-room after dinner, the bereaved
father and husband accompanying them
and there they occupied themselves in
recalling the various traits and excel
lencies of the departed. Whilst engaged
in this manner, the room door was VIC
Iently opened, and the footman, ap
parently as horror-stricken as man could
be, entered, exclaiming: "lf you please
sir, Missus' ghost is walking"
Captain - Immediately left the
room, taking the footman, very much
against his will, with him. Shutting tho
door and enjoining the occupants not tc
follow him, as he would be back quickly
he at once crossed the hall and assembled
the stairs, with the intention of going tc
the room where his deceased wife, as he
supposed, was lying in her coffin; but Oh
turning into the corridor or passage al
the top of the stairs, his courage was Sc
verely tested, for in his way there stood
a figure clad in the habiliments of the
grave; yet although much startled, ht
was equal to the occasion, and addressing
the figure, said: "God bless me Mary
his wife's name "what are you doing
here?'
His wife-for it was his wife, and nc
ghost-answered very family: "Oh, take
me to the fire, am frozen"
lie Immediately got a blanket
wrapped it around her, and to the con
sternaton of the servants, took her int
the kitchen, where there was large fire
burning; and soon with warmth, assistec
by very sparing administration of warn
liquid, vital heat was restored.
When Captain - returned to tn,
drawing-room, it must be supposed h,
found the company in great state of ex
citement, which was not at all dimin
ished by his statement of what had hap
pened; and nothing but an interview
with the supposed deceased lady woulc
convince them that they had not yer,
few hours before seen her actually
corpse. And she, strange to say, despit
the shock caused by her finding hersel
where she was and arrayed for the gray
| (for she was conscious of having clam
bered out of the coffin), and the full mar
ration Of particulars by her husband, an,
the consequent knowledge of the yer,
narrow escape from premature burial sh
had experienccd-she very quickly re
covered much of her lost health an,
strength, and lived on several years be
fore she really died.
1t is scarcely necessary to add that til
mourning friends were soon changed int
joyful ones, and that the attendance 0
the undertaker, with his funeral appli
ances, was dispensed with.
was not told what was the opinion o
the medical attendant upon this extra
ordinary occurrence; but as the son 0
the lady who, as | stated before, told m
Of the circumstance, is now in England
and hope to see him, l intend to tax
the opportunity of making full inquire
on this head. | may add that the men
ton of the matter was most repugnant t
the lady in question, and any allusion t
it was carefully checked by every men
Der of the family.
The preceding account was narrated t
me as have described, after had bee
telling my friend Of the case which
now proceed to state, and as corrobora
tive of the opinion | then expressed t
him that many persons were really burie
alive. This occurrence, the subject {
which approached step nearer the gray
than the one just recited, happened to
man whom / well knew, and who was i
business for several years in the town i
which l reside; after which he left m
neighborhood, and took business in
town in the west of England and f,
some months | heard nothing concernin
! him. in fact he had nasSnd from m