Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-18
Called by her Dead Lover.
STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING TIL
DEATH OF You've GIRL.
From the Salt Lake Herald. Nov. 8 ]

From the Salt Lake Herald, Nov. 3
few DAYS ago we chronicled the death of
| Miss Athalish Gilbert, of South Cottonwood.
At the time of the announcement there were
reports current that some events out OF the
ordinary were connected with her decease,
bur at that time there were no means of
ascertaning the particulars. yesterday,
however Mr.. James Gilbert, the young
lady's father and several other Cottonwood
people were in the city, and from them a re-
| porter learned the facts which follow. All
the names mentioned are those of responsible
and well known citizens, and unreal as the
narration sounds there can be no doubt of its
authenticity.
The young lady was l6 wears old at the
time of her death. and appears to have been
possessed of one of those warm. lOvable,
bright, and even-tempered dispositions which
endear the owner to every one with whom she
comes in contact. Though so young, she
took busy part in all church duties, and in
improvement associations and the Sunday
school her name always had prominent
place. Some three or four years ago she
formed an intimacy with youth named John
Cunlitfe, the son of a neighbor, and despite
the tender years of both, they became strongly
attached to each other, and provoked no end
of comment at their oldfas hioned devotion and
steadfast affection for one another. This state
of affairs continued until the girl was 10 years
old, when the association was rudely broken
by the death OF young Cunlitie. He lost his life
from the kick of a wild horse about year
ago. When the intelligence was brought to
Miss Gilbert, her father says, it gave her a
shock, from which she never recovered. She
almost sank beneath the blow, and at his
IN n.ral hpr of Uriaf
lent that it was feared her reason would de-
part. In time, however, she resumed her
accustomed duties, but it was evident that
the blow she had sustained had sunk deep in
to her life. She seldom reused herself from
deep lethargy of sadness, and day by dav
her color and strength and the freshness of
youth seemed to be ebbing away. A few
months ago she alarmed her sister by telling
her that John" had visited her chamber and
had told her that she must prepare to come to
him. She manifested no fear, but, accord
ing to her sister, had told him she
could not leave her parents, But he
| had only said again that she must
come. Once again, later, she told her sister
| that he had come to her with the same mes
sage, and she had now evidently given up
desiring to remain, as she told her sister how
she wished to be dressed at her burial, and
whom sne Wlsueu To uresS neT. soon a1teI
that young Cunliffe's father came to Mr.
Gilbert, sorely disturbed and told him that
one morning as he was lying down his son
had come to him and stood at the foot of bis
bed. His father had asked him what it was
he desired, and he replied, II came to see
you, father. | am staying at Gilhert's, and
am going back there now. have been there
ever 81 &c | left you. Where else should
| be?" Mr.. Gilbert attempted to reason the
old gentleman out of his notion
but he insisted that it was nc
dream or vision, but that his son had
actually visited and spoken to him
and that in broad daylight. 10 the meantime
Miss Gilbert continued TO maintain that her
last dsv was approaching, and no amount o.
persuasion seemed to shake her belief One
week ago last evening she and her parents
were attending birthday party at
neighbours. Miss Gilbert was sitting at the
lunch table chatting with some companions
when, without word of warning, she tell t
the floor motionless Her father and mother
raised her, and both said her heart had ceased
to beat, Their cries and lamentations anC
their frenzied attempts to rouse her, they
state, rallied her for few moments, and SHE
was hurridly conveyed home, where she ex
pred shortly afterward, leaving her friend,
almost stupetied with grief. Her funera
was one of the largest convocations o
mourners ever seen in that locality.