Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-16
CALLED BYuEk DEAD LOVER.
atrapge circumstances Preceding the
penth OF a Young Girl.
Isali Lake Herald, November 3d.


4 few days ago We chronicled the death
q Miss AtLalah Gilbert, OF South Cotton
wood. At the time Of tie announcement
there were reports current that some gems
ont Of the ordinary were connected With
her Geccase. but at that time there were no
mems Of asccriaining the particulars. Yes
icrday. however, Dir. james Gilbert, the
Young lady's father. and several other Cot
ionwood people were in the city. and from
them a reporter learned the facts which
follow. All the names mentioned are those
of responsible and weil-knOwn citizens,
and. unreal rs the narration sounds, there
can be 10 doubt II lis authenticity.
Tho young lady was sixteen year, Old at
Tie tine Of hcr death. and appears to have
been possessed OF one OF those warm,
loyable, bright, and evcn-tcmpered dispo-
,i,ions which ondelr the owner To every
ore With whom she comes in contact.
Though 50 young, she took busy part IN
al church duties, and in improvement IA
sccistion- and the sunday school her name
always had q prominent place. some three
~ for years ago she formed an intimacy
With q youth named John Cunli1e, the son
Of aucigiboT, and despite the tender years
Of both, they became strongly attached ID
each other, and provoked no end OF com
ment at their old-isshiOued devotion and
steadiast affection for one another. The
state Il affairs continued until th5
aul was fifteen years old, when the
association wss rudely broken by the
death q young CunhDe. lie lost his
lie from the kick Of q wild horse about
year ago. When the intelligence was
brought 10 Miss Gilbert her father says 1t
gave her a shock from which she never re-
covered. She almost sank beneath the
tloy,, and at his funeral her plroXysms Of
grief were 50 violent that il was feared her
rc.s0n would depart In time, however,
she resumed her accustomed duties; bui II
vas evident tAatthc blow She had sustained
had sunk deep into her life. She seldom
lonsed hclsclI from a deep ielhargY OF sd
ness, and d,y by day her color and strength
and the freshness o. youth seemed TO be-
,bbiug away. \ few months ago she alarm
Cd her sitter by telling her that "John ~
had visited her chamber and had told
her that she must prepare 20 come TO him.
She mantle .tcd no fear but, according 10 her
sister, had told him thai she couidnot leave
her parents. but he had only said again that
she must come. Once again, later, she told
her sister that be had come 10 her with the
same messagc, and she hal now evidently
given up desiring 10 remain, a. she told her
sister ho.. she wished to be dressed az her
burial, and whom she wished 20 dress her.
Soon after that young Cunhhe'. father came
10 Mr.. Gilbert sOrcly disturbed, and told
him that one morning as h. was ~
ine down bis son bad come to him
and stood at the foot Of hi, bed. fils
father had asked him Whist it vas that h d.
sized, and he replied: " | came 10 see y0u.
is;hcr. am staying at Gilbcrt'-, and ! an
-oiug back there now. have been there
ever since | left you. Where else should !
lee :" Mr.. Gilbert attempted 10 re'sOn The
old gentleman out OF his notion, but he I'M
listed that It was no dream or vision. bat
that bis son had actually visited and spoken
10 hInl, and that in broad daylight. In The
mean TINE bliss Gilbert continued 10 main
tain that her last day was approaching, ana
no pmOunl Of persuasion seemed 10 shake
leg belief. one week ago last evening
she ard her parents were attending
hirthday-pariy at a neighbor's. Mss
Gilbert was sitting al the lunch-table
chatting with some companions, when,
without q word Of warning, she fell TO the
ln0r motionless. Her father and mother
raised her, and both said her heart had
ceased to beat. Their cries and lamcata-
lions and their irenzied attempt. 10 arouse
her. they state, rallied her for few mo-
ments, and she was hurriedly conveyed
home, where she expired shortly afterward,
leaving her friends almost siupehed with
grief. Her funeral was enc OF the largest
-onyccations OF mourncrs ever seen in that
locality.