The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-07-24
AN AMAZING TALE.
Told by a Woman, Who Claims
to Have Died a Score of
Times. and Each Time TO
Have been q Witness
of the GlOries of

| IOth lllG lAubooo ivy VIC
learn something wonderful. Mrs.
Diana Powellson, mother of nine
children and widow, was attacked
with severe spasms in December, 1877,
which attacks recurred daily about
four o'clock. 1t was supposed by ply
sicians that she had cancer of the
stomach and liberation of the liver.
For months ulcers were discharged
into the stomach. This kept up un-
til last May, when, after vomiting a
large quantity Of pus, she became un-
conscious, the pulse ranging at ohe
hundred and forty, with respiration
sixteen per minute. She became cold
and clammy, and on the "a of May
she died. The spasms of the neck and
hands relaxed, the head dropped
on The breast, the eyelids opened, and
a film gathered upon the eyes. A
current of electricity, passed from the
base of the brain to the lower portion
of the back, failed to revive her.
She remained in this condition thirty
two minutes, when she sat up in bed,
called for coffee, and drank it. The
! spasms returned, and she again died,
and remained without signs of life for
three hours. She continued to revive
and recover and die again when the
spasms recurred. From June I'd until
July 9th she had these strange attacks
daily, and died as often. The physi-
clans found only debility to contend
with; but, without warning or premo-
milton of any kind, she continues to
have spasms and die daily.
THE STORY.
Our reporter visited the bedside of
the lady in company with DR.. ThOrne.
Her story is as follows:
II have been professed christian
for many years. Some time in 1877
l joined the Methodist church, south.
am full believer in christianity.
The statement that l am about to
make is stranger to me than 1t can be
to you. On the night of my first dy-
ing, the more / died the less pain |
felt. / was SO happy at going Ooh I!
sir, l have suffered so much); felt no
misery of any kind, pain in the head
all gone; it seemed that ! lost all con-
sciousness but for a moment; when |
came to my senses again | knew | was
dead, but everything was very dark
to me. / thought l was still blind.
| became filled with terror, anticipa-
ting the worst. My husband (who
died in 1860 soon, however, took hold
of me. He told me | was on the
wrong road. Others of my departed
friends and family did the same. The
darkness suddenly vanished. l saw
all my friends and millions of others.
| saw hills and valleys, trees and flOw-
ers, rivers, seas, lakes and birds, and
heard such music as | cannot describe.
The people were not what | expected
to see. They were ordinary men and
women. Some we're bright and beau
tiful, and Others we're lean and miser-
able looking. / saw their homes.
They lived in communities. All were
much more beautiful than any we
have, but some were not 50 beautiful
as others. L saw many bright spirits,
but was very much surprised that
THEY HAD NO WINGS.
My friends led me from the dark place
into the light. Ibid not come through
this dark place any more, either in
coming back or returning at any
time. / saw many meetings of con-
gregations, but did not learn what
they were doing. l thought | was at
home, but was told that ! must return
to my body again. Ny husband told
me this. l cried and was very much
angered at him, and still am for send
ing me back. 1 long to be in that
beautiful home that they told me was
mine. My husband sent message to
his son, and to my children by me.
Messages were also sent by many
others. l was afraid of some spirits
who looked dark and forbidding, while
others were so bright, beautiful and
kind. When was there a large con-
course gathered around me. | did
not know l should return to earth till
| was told so by my husbrnd. He
was sixty-seven when he died, though
he now looks in the prime of life.
My two children were with their faith
er. | was very much surprised at this.
l had known only one, one child was
born dead, prematurely, in August,
1876; it was very rejoiced to see me;
l cannot compare her TO any age, it
differs from earth; but still small
child. l felt all a mothers love for
that child, which l did not think l
possessed. My boy, one year old, died
fifteen years ago; he is now a young
man, and knew me. Spirits do not |
sing like We do; much nicer. / saw
some spirits who looked repulsive and |
dark. The clothing of all was of the |
flowing or robe kind. No voice is |
used by spirits-I understood them
more perfectly without words. Tread
their thoughts. 1t is a more perfect
language than ours. They tod me to
come back to earth for three or four
years, with my little children, who
are here, unless / was dissatisfied. l |
promised to do so. Iexpected
TO MEET CHRIST,
but did not do so. They told NE this
was why was in the dark / know
that | must depend on myself. We |