The Hickman courier., 1882-05-19
DIED SHOUTING.
Essza Douglas. 81 Negro vyo-
man Setzed with Religion.
Goes on In q FIt OF Glory.
"fHE AxoELs AN LooKIN ArnE.


: a rather traeical scene occurred YES
tsrday morning in the coiorsd Bsptis
Church, on Green street, between Floy,
and Preston, which is presided over b,
Elder Gaddis, which ended in the death .
Elisa Douglas. The church is one of tn,
largest and most fourishing snes in th,
city, snd every Sunday, ~ morning anC
evening service the church 10 packed q
It's utmost capacity. Elder Gaddis, whc {
hs' the reputation of being avery impres
sfe speaker, smOng the cslored folks
generally works his bearers ap TO the
shouting pitch, and many sister gives
vent to the hent-ep religious feelings of
her soul through the medium OF an old
ashloHsd religious Shouting spell Al
nearly every service these practices were
inunlged In by the bsrs, who se en- to
Aoid II as means of expressing their pie
" and always seem TO relieve after the
spell Is over. Some time ago Eliza Doug
las, who lives on Jefferson street, between
SsveHth aud Eighth, went 10 hear Elder
Oaddis preach. She was much afectsd by
the ssamon and considerably worked mn
but did not express her feeling aloud in
church She owned small laundry at
her house, and several times aftarward
mhen washing, she would be seized with .
NJ or religious excitement and "shout"
until she felt relieved. She returned or
the following Sunday and Joined the
church, and when baptised gave ventts
little enthusiasm, which however, she
suppressed. From that forward she be-
came a regular attendant at the church, !
and a most enthusiastic member. She oo- |
enpisd one of the front seats, and would /
listen attentively to the singing and re-
main very quiet until the sermOa began /
She then generally used 10 get little un- I
easy; she would begin by moving rest /
lessly ia her seat or pattlnE her feet on /
the door, or occasionally clapping bsr
hs nds. As the minister would pressed
and become worked up to his subject, she
would become excited accordingly, and
work bsrsslf gradually into n fever of
religious excitement, when she used Rsu
ally TO moan and sob for ssme time until
her enthusiasm was fully aroused, and
she would shout until completely sxhaus-
ted. These spells generally lasted until
the end ofthe service, but were net attsn-
dsd with any evil results, until yesterday
morning. She attended the service sHsaal
and toek her sccustsmsd front.seat. She
appeared more than ordinarily snthusiaE-
&C and led the singing. when the prayer
as being delivered she evinced some
'srVor by occasional ejseulstishs and
noans, bat did not begin in earnest until
he sermon actually commenced. The '
congregation were listening with parties .
IlAf attention, began hisserm6n. he had
My spoken few moments when the
congregation was somewhat startled by d
earring low moans from Sister Douglas i
eat. No particular attention was paid
. her, ii being usual custom, and she
ept up the msanin gfor short while
nd then broke out into load shsut Of =
lOry to the Lord. In another memsnt .
he was on her feet and throwing her |,
ands wildly about, while she shouted =
raises at the top of her voice. The min
ter proceeded, despite he interruption, u
nd raised his voice 40 as to be heard over c'
lat Of the religious sister. Her excits- IL
ent continued to grow, and she stepped
Al into the aisls and began to walk up
ad down, Sdding her exhsrtations TO "a
Ioae Of the elder. The sermon VA. fnaIs q
concluded, and she took possession Of
Is floor. For several minutes she kept
? in Wild, unintelligible strain, and
en, moderRting somewhat, she began ta
, address te ths congregation, relating ea
n experiences. Several Of the COED :.
e IN bsrs had by this tine bscons worked
,, and q continual moaning aud sJacula- II
on was kept up ali over the church. 4,
.is Increased the leaders excitensnt A
she suddenly broke ont again with a :,
ud scream aud then, throwing her hands
sr her head, staggered iato a seat,
Hsre che fell to the floor. Several ID
onnd think ing she had faiated, stopped n
pick her up, but her life had gene out
the last shout 10 glory, As she uAs dis -
vsrsd TO be perfectly dead. The fact h'
on spread over the church. aud in th
sment all was hushsd aud Hiil. She SO
IS laid on the foot Of the pulpit, and -
lile several attempted 10 restore her te
., the others stood sround in brsathlesE IN
N der, locking At Der as AZ one tAken OF fl
heaven as reward for her goodness.
. Godshaw was called in, but could do
thing; so he coroner was ssat for. Al
,st the whole congregation rsnsined in re
cir seats until the inquest was con nclud 4
The jury returned 4 verdict OF death /
I'M heart disease, brought on by sKces -
Te religious excitement. -