Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-11

PORTLAND, Nov. 10.
some fourteen months ago Joseph Dyer, a
young man about 20 years of age, son of
Joseph Dyer of Cape Elizabeth, was thrown
from wagon near the end of Portland bridge.
He received injuries of which he died, as was
supposed. His body was placed in a coffin in
the usual manner and buried in Evergreen
cemetery. Young Dyer left a father and
mother and was engaged to be married to a
girl who is now employed in a family in this
city.
Some weeks ago young Dyer's mother and
his afianced bride received mysterious hint
that it would be well to discard their mourn
ing. for Joseph was not dead after all, and
might be expected to come back any dav.
Some days ago the grave in Evergreen ceme-
terry was opened. Strange, but true it was,
there was the identical coffin, but no signs of
body in it. The corpse had been removed.
how, it was impossible to tell. There appear
ed to be no necessity for keeping an empty
coffin buried, so young Dyer's parents took
the coffin home with them. day or two
ago Mrs. Dyer stood by the coffin relating to
a neighbor the circumstances, when the door
opened and Joseph appeared alive and we'll,
saying "Don't open the coffin mother, for
here am" Then ensued a remarkable scene.
Young Dyer remembers nothing of being put
in coffin and buried alive. The first he
recollects since the accident happened on
Portland bridge Is being with friends who
treated him we'll. 1t is related that some
young doctors, said to belong in Brooklyn,
dug up the body for the purposes of dissec-
ton. When the doctors came to operate on
the body, they discovered signs Of life. They
Immediately set to work to bring the young
man to his senses, and at last succeeded. 1t
was long before he began to give evidence of
complete recovery, and the students were
afraid he might die in earnest on their hands.
Gradually he got well and the circumstances
of his strange burial and resurrection were
told to him. 1t is understood that the
young mai is reticent about where he has
been and what he has been doing since his
recovery. Young Dyer is now about his or
dinary farm business.
With regard to the resurrection case meagre
particulars were learned by the reporters of
the morning papers. They are working in
dustriously this evening. The attempt to
trace young Dyers parents has not been sue
cessful. The family did live in Cape Eliza
BETH but are now said to be in Deering,
some miles from the city. The story of
young Dyer's resurrection comes from
Blanche Edwards, domestic employed by
Henry Brown, artist, on Danforth street. She
affirms the truth of the story in every par
ticular She says she attended the funeral
in September, 1884; saw Dyer in the coffin; ;
went in the procession to the grave in Ever
green cemetery, but did not see the coffin put
in the grave. She wore mourning for the
deceased until two weeks ago, when friends
told her that Dyer was coming back; was
told that Overs mother had taken off mourn
ing. Friday night the parents went secretly
to the cemetery, dug up the coffin and took
it home They proceeded to open the coffin
and found nothing in it. A few moments
later Dyer appeared at the door and was
greeted with rapture by the parents. Dyer
came to see Blanche on Danforth street, Sat-
urday night, with his parents. He did not
know her at first and appeared strange.
Mr.. Browns family saw the young man
and corroborate Blanche's story as far as
they know.
Yesterday, during the day, Blanche says
Young Dyer, with two young doctors, came
to see her. Dyer said, "You tell her
all about it." The doctors then told
her that they had had Dyer under their
care for seven months and cured him.
One of the doctors was friend of the family
and was at the funeral He said he was i'm
pressed that Dyer was not dead. After the
funeral they dug open the grave, took the
body and worked on it and after long time
obtained signs of life. She says the doctors
names are DR.. Harmon of Albany, N. r.,
and DIR. Foster of New York.
Rlanche has a sister who works at the
Home for Aged Men III this city who cor
roborates the story in every particular. The
whole truth cannot be learned till Dyer him.
self and his parents are found, and it is I'M
possible to reach them tonight