Morning journal and courier., 1882-05-23
Died Shouting.

Eliza, a Negro Woman, Seized With Re-
 Hgfon, Goes or in a Fit of GIory-.'Ths
 Angels am Lookia' at Me-
 From the Louisville Courfsr-JourrAIJ
 A rather tragical scene occurred yesterday morning in the colored Baptist church, on Green street, between Floyd and Preston, which is presided over by Elder Gaddie, which euded in the death of Eliza Douglas The church is one of the largest and most iourishing ones in the city, and every Sun day, at morning and evening service, the church is packed to its utmost capacity. FL der Gaddie, who has the reputation of being a very impressive speaker, among the color ed folks, generally works his hearers up to shouting pitch, and many a sister gives vent to the pent up religious felhngs of her soul through the medium of old-fashioned religious shouting spell. At nearly every service these practices were indulged in by the members who seem to hold is as means of expressing their piety, and always seem relieved after the spell is over Some time ago Ehza Douglas, who lives on Jefferson street, between Seventh and Eighth, went to hear Elder Gaddie preach She was much affected by the sermon and considerably worked up but did not express her feeling aloud in church. She owned small laundry at her house and several times aftervard, when washing she would be seized with a it of religious excitement and t'shout" until she felt relieved. She returned on the following Sunday and joined the church, and when baptized gave vent to a little enthusiasm, which, however, she suppressed. From that forward she became & regular attendant at the church, and most enthusiastic mem Der. She occupied one of the front ses's, and would listen sttentively to the singing and remain very quiet until the sermon be- gan She then generally used to get little uneasy she would begin by moving restless ly in her seat or batting her feet on the floor, or occasionally clapping her hands. As the minister would proceed and become worked up to his subject, she would become excited accordingly, and work herself gradually into a fever of religious excitement, when she used usually to moan and sob for some time, until her enthusiasm was fully aroused, and she would shout un il completely exhausted. These spells generally lasted until the end of the service, but were never attended with any evil results, until yesterday morning. She attended the service as usual, and took her accustomed front seat. She appeared more than ordinarily enthusiastic and led the sing ing. When the prayer was being delivered she evinced some feryor by occasional ejacu- lations and mosns, but did not begin in earn ast until the sermsn actually commenced The preacher gave out his text, and while the congregation were listening with particular attention began his sermon. He had only spoken a few moments when the congrega- ton was somewhat startled by hearing low moans from Sister Douglass seat. ho par ticular attention was paid to her, it being usual custom and she kept up the moaning for short while and then broke out into loud shout of glory to the Lord In'another moment she was on her feet and throwing her hands wildly about, while she shouted praises at the top of her voice. The minis ter proceeded, despite the interruption, and raised his voice so as to be heard over that of the religious sister. Her excitement con- tinued to grow, and she stepped out into the aisle and began to walk up and down adding her exhortstions to those of the elder. The sermon was finally concluded, and she took possession of the floor. For several minutes she keps up in wild, unintelligible strain, and then, modersting somewhat, she began an address to the congregation, relating her experience. Several of the good members had by this time become worked up, and a continual moaning and ejaculation was kept up all over the church. This increased the leaders excitement and she suddenly broke out again with a loud scream and then, throw ing her hands over her head, staggered into a seat, where she fell to the floor. Several around thinking she had tainted, stopped to pick her up, but her life had gone out in the last shout to glory, she was discovered to be perfectly dead. The fact soon sprend over the church. and in a moment all was hushed and still. She was laid on the foot of the pulpit, and while several attempted to restore her to life, ths others stood around in breathless wonder, looking at her as at one taken of to heaven as a reward for her good ness Dr. Godshaw was called in, but could do nothing; So the coroner was sent for. Almost the whole congregation remained in their seats until the inquest was concluded. The jury returned verdict of death from heart disease, brought on by excessive religi- ous excitement