Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-20
a MYSTERY.
i axruRx Fxox TaE DEAD.
IL wsrdesful story shsswss Related By ~
AmericaB Mansefswaf's Mas.

Concerning the Btstory OF tue suplViucu
curious narrative. tlA original manuscript
Of which. written In now faded Ink on tue
rough. diugy paper oil sixty years ago. was
placed IN my hands In the course OF re-
cent wish TO America. only lew words
arc necessary. The narrative Is addressed
40 "Mrs. Rodgers and sister," and appears
~ have been written at the request Of the
former lady after It's authors return from
Yea on the termination Of bis service as
surreop on the President fngate, the famous
fighting cruiser of the American republic
In the var with England OF lsl2-'l4. Com
modore Rodgers. who commanded the Pre-
sideut during the war. and who was the bus
band Of the lady for whom the account was
written, gave 70 DIR. Turks narrative his
endorsement Of its perfect accuracy. OF
tho authenticity OF the document there can
DC no possibility OF doubt.
"Some time In the latter part OF Decem-
her. 1871 says DIR. Turk. ga man by the
rsme Of William Kemblc, aged about
twenty-thrce. seaman on board OF the
United States frigatc President. command
cd by Commodore John Rodgers. on a
cruise. then near the Western Islands, was
brought 10 Inc from one OF the tops, in
which he was stationed. having burst
vessel In bis lungs, beng at the time In
great danger Of instant death. the blood
gushing with great violence from his mouth
and nostriIs. With much difficulty sue
ceeded In stopping the discharge, and he
was Iut upon the use OF remedies suit.
ed 10 his case. visited him often, and
had the best OF opportunity Of becoming
acquainted with his temper, habits. aud IN
fellecfual attainmtnts; and under all cir
cumsiances. during his illness. found his
language and behavior such as stamped
him the trough, profane, and illiterate sailor.
II l. my belief, although cannot positively
assert II. that be could no. either read or
write. II Is certain that his conversation
never differed In the least from that Of the
most ignorant and abandoned Of his asso-
ciates, constantly mixed with oaths and the
lowest vulgaritv. Had be possessed talents
or learning. he must have betrayed 1t to
ne during his loag confinement.
.'in the early part OF January (lSl4),
vessel bore down upon US. with every ap-
pearance Of being an English frigate. All
bands were called 10 quarters, and after q
short and animated address by the COmmo-
dore 10 The crew. all prepared TO do their
euty. Before descended to the cockpit,
well knowing kemhle's spirit and how anX.
ious he would be to partake in the glory OF
the victory (deiest never entered our
fhoughts), thought I. best TO visit him.
After stating TO him the peculiar situation
he was in. and the great daD7er he would
DE exposed 10 by the least emotion, | en-
treated him and ordered him not 10 stir
during the action, " hich he promised TO OBJ
serve. We were soon obliged TO fire. At
the sound of the first gun he could restrain
himself no longer. but regardless Of my adj
monitiOns and his own danger, he rushed
upon deck and flew 10 his gun. having hold
10 help run her out. a fresh and tremen-
deus discharge from his lungs was the con-
sequence. and he was brought down 10 me
again in q most deplorable state. appre-
bendcd immediate death. but 10y the appll-
cation Of The proper remedies succeeded
once more in stopping the hcmorrbage, by
which he was reduced 10 state Of the most
extreme debility. Being near the equator
and suffering much from heat, his ham,
mock was slung on the gun-deck between
the ports aiiording the best circulation OF
air. He continued for some time free from
hemorrhagc, but was under the constant
use OF medicine. and was confined 10 par
ficular diet. This made him fretiul and he
would frequently charge my mates with
trying 10 starve him, at the same time
damniDg them in the true sailor fashion.
tiers at night, he was necessarily removed
below 10 the sick berth, commonly called
lay. This was followed by another dis.
charge OF blood from his lungs, which was
renewed at intervals until his death.
OnsIanuarv 18th, in the afternoon. DR..
Birchmore. Dy first mate. came 10 me on
deck and reported Kemble 10 be dead.
directed him to see that his messmates did
what was usual on such occasions prepara-
tory to committing his remains TO tie deep.
In about two hours after this DR.. Birchmore
called on me. lie said that Kemble had
come TO life, and was holding forth to the
sailors In strange way. j directly went
down, where witnessed one Of the most
remarkable and unaccountable transactions
that, perhaps, had ever fallen TO the lot OF
man 20 behold. kembe had awakened, as
NJ were. from sleep, raised himself up and
called for his messmates u particular, and
those men who were not ~ duty, 10 attend
10 his words. lie told them be had eX-
perIenced death, but was allowed a
short space Of time 10 return and
give Them, as well as the officers, some di-
reetion for their future conduct in life.
In this situation found him, surrounded
by the crew. all mute with astOnishment,
and paying the most serious gltenton TO
every word that escaped from his lips.
The Oldest men were In tcars-Dot o dry
eye was 10 be seen or a whisper heard; all
was as solemn as the grave. His whole |
body was as cold as death could make it. /
There was no pulsaiion in the wrists, the |
temples, or the chest perccptiblc. His |
voice was clear and powerful, his eyes
brilliant and animated. |
After short and pertinent address TO the
medical gentlemen. he told me IN per- |
emptory manner TO bring Commodore
Rodgers 10 him, as he had something 10 |
say to him before he finally left us. |
The Commodore consented 10 go with me, |
when scene was presented truly |
novel and indescribablc. and calcu- |
lated 10 Gil with awe the sioutest heart. /
The sick bay Tor BERTH in which he Law i.
entirely set apart 10 the use OF those who |
are confined to their beds 10y illness. Sup !
ported by the surgeons, surrounded by his |
weeping end astonished comrades. a crowd |
OF spectators looking through the lattice |
work which enclosed the room, a common |
iapanneG lamp throwing out sickly light, !
and candle held opposite his face by an |
attendant, was the situation Of things when !
our worthy commander made bis appear |
anee; and well does he remember the effect |
produced by 20 uncommon spectacle, |
especially when followed by the utterance /
OF these words from the mouth OF one
long supposed TO have been dead: Com. |
Rodgers. j have sent Jor you, sir; being |
commissioned by higher power 10 address |
you tor short time, and TO deliver the mes
sage entrusted To me when was permitted |
TO revisit the earth. once trembled In |
your presence, and was eager TO obey your |
but now am your superior, |
being no longer an inhabitant OF the earth. |
am not permitted 10 make known what |
have beheld; indeed, were not forbidden, |
language would be inadequate TO the task; |
'tis enough for you and the crew to know |
that have been sent back 10 earth 10 re- !
animate FOR few hours my lifelcss body, |
by God TO perform the work !
am row engaged in lie then in language |
20 etaste aud appropriate ~ would not |
have Usgraced the lips or the pen |
OF divine, took hasty view OF !
The moral and religious duties incumbent
on the command OF u ship OF war. He re-
viewed the vices prevalent on ship-board,
pointed olsI the relative duties Of officers
and men. Nd concluded by urging the ne
cessiiy OF reformation and repentance. Ho
did not, ass was feared by our brave CON-
mander. asfnipt to prove the siniulness OF
fighting and wars; but. on the contrary.
warmly recommended 10 the men the ner-
formnnce Of their duty to their country
WITH courage ana fidelity. His speeches oc-
eupied about three quarters OF an hour.
aud II The whole could have been taken
down Al the time, they would have made
considerable pamphlet which would. no