Barbour County index., 1882-06-01
DIED SHOUTING.
= Negro Woman Seized with ReIig.
Ious Frenzy Goes OF in : Eit .,


A rather tragical scene occurred
sunday morning in the colored Baptist
/ Cnurcn AZ Louisville, presided over by
Elder Gaddie, which ended in tbs
death OF Eliza Douglas. The church
says Inc Courler-Journal, is one of the
Largest and most 6ourishing ones in
ene city, and every Sunday, at morning
and evening service, the church is
packed to its utmost capacity. Elder
Saodle, who has the reputation of
Deing avery impressive speaker, among
the colored folks, generally works his
hearers up to the shouting" pitch,
and many a sister gives vent to the
pent-up religious feelings OF her soul
through the medium of an old-fashiOn-
ed religious shouting SPELL At nearly
every service these practices were in
duged in by the members, who seem
70 hold 1t as means of expressing
their piety, and always seem relieved
after the spell is over. Some time ago
Eliza 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 she did
not express her feelings aloud in
church. She owned a small laundry
at her house, and several times after
ward, when washing, she would be
seized with a fit of religious excite
ment, and "shout" until she felt re-
heved. She returned on the following
Sunday and joined the church, and
when baptized gave vent to a little
enthusiasm, which, however, she SUP
pressed. From that time forward she
became a regular attendant at church,
and most enthusiastic member. She
occupied one of the front seats, and
would listen attentively to the singing
and remain very quiet until the ser.
mon began. She then generally used
to get little uneasy; she would begin
by moving restlessly in her seat or
patting her feet on the floor, or occa-
siOnly 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 enthu-
siasm was fully aroused, and she would
shout until completely exhausted.
These spells generally lasted until the
end Of the service, but were never at
tended with any evil results, until Sun
day morning. She attended the service
as usual and took her accustomed front
seat. She appeared more than ordin-
arily enthusiastic and led the singing.
When the prayer was being delivered
she evinced some fervor by occasional
CALCULATIONS and means, but did not
begin in earnest until the sermon actu-
ally commenced. The preacher gave
out his text, and while the congrega.
ton were listening with particular at
tion began his sermon. He had spoken
few moments, when the congregation
was somewhat startled by hearing low
means from Sister Douglas seat. No
particular attention was paid to her, it
being q usual custom, and she kept up
the moaning for a short while and
then broke out into a loud shout of
glory to the Lord. In another moment
she was on her feet, and throwing her
hands wildly about, she shouted glory
at the top Of her voice. The minister
proceeded. despite the interruption, and
raised his voice so as to be heard over
that OF the religious sister. Her excite
nent continued to grow, and she
stepped out into the aisle and began to
walk up and down, adding her exhorta-
tions to those Of the elder. The ser
mon was finally concluded, and she
took possession OF the floor. For sew
eral minutes she kept up in a wild, un-
Ineligible strain, and then, moderat-
ing somewhat, she began an address
to the congregation, relating her ex-
perience. Several of the good mem
bers had by this time become worked
up, and continual moaning and ejacu-
lation was kept up all over the church.
This increased the leaders excitement,
and she suddenly broke out again with
a loud scream and then, throwing her
hands over her head, staggered ioto a
seat, where she fell to the floor. Sew
eral around thinking she had tainted,
stopped to pick her up, but her life had
gone out in the last shout of glory, as
she was discovered to be perfectly dead.
The fact soon spread 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, the others stood
around in breathless wonder, looking at
her as at one taken off to heaven as a
reward for her goodness. 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 ex-
cessive religious excitement.