The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-19
ALalosT BURInD ALIVE.
The Horrible Experience of Man in a
Trance.

From tine New York Journal.
1T was a cold January afternoon that was
taken sick, but hoping would recover, no med
lcal aid was summoned. The following night
grew very Respondent, and ! seemed to feel
that something unusual was about to happen,
The next morning, shortly after sunrise, l
felt curious sensation in my feet, which be-
came heavy, as if they were sleeping. This
sensation came further and further upward
and l began to think that if it were to reach
my heart my life's journey would soon be
ended.
Having called my family and friends about
me told them of the fears i entertained. AS
they lay by my bedside pIaying-oh! i never
shall forget those prayers babe them all
farewell, and ! fell back parayZed, unable to
move even finger or TO open my eyes, and TO
every one but myself | was dead"
1t was a siver-headed sage Of my acquant-
ance who, during the greater part of his life
had lived in southern Pennsylvania, that was
relating to me his oXf erience of being about to
be buried while apparently dead, says writer
in the ST. Paul Dispatch.
"Ihe agony and tOrtures / suffered for the
next three days would fill volumes, yet the
horror Of my situation could not be expressed"
he continued. IL heard the weeping and wall
ing of my dear wife and children, who were
nearly frantic with grief. / felt the kisses of
my darling little daughter she chung TO my
bcsom--impored me to speak and asked If |
loved her. / heard my pratting child pray
that life would return to papa for mammals
sake.
''The strength Of every fibre in my system I
summoned, but my mouth would not open, my
tongue would not move. / was imprisoned in
my own body-tied down even more than if
had been placed in chains.
"Ihen came the fears of being buried alive.
| he ard how the arrangements for my funeral
were to be made, whoshould be my pall-bearers
and what minister should deliver my funeral
sermon.
The style of my coffin heard discussed at
length between my wife and neighbOr.
This was the most terrible conference to
which / ever listened" said the old man as he
wiped the tears from his eyes and continued:
Il foil asleep and remained unconscious until
the next day When l awoRe l was being
placed i'll my coffin, that awe-inspirng. CHASTITY
box III which it was intended | should forever
rest, and yet / was unable to make any signs
to intimate that life still fingered in my
bosom.
MANY friends came to look at me, and as
they passed by the collin listened to such eX-
CARNATIONS as: Isn't he natural2' %, doesn't
he look life-like| and the like that are SO
plentiful on such occasions.
con the third day | was yet in trance.
About in the forenoon, so | am told, all was
ready for the funeral. Into my house filed six
OF my friends, who transported my coffin into
the hearse by the door After short time
was again taken out from the fatal carriage;
This was at the church, where the benedietions
were to be pronounced.
Inc chUfcn fiau DeeN CrOWNeN WITH people
when the services began. The nine boards of
my coffin quivered as the deep tones of the or
gan and the voices of the choir echoed through
the corridors Of the sanctihed edifiCe. The
dreadful music ceased and all was hushed save
the heGrtrending sobs of my wife.
"A low voice from the pulpit, which in
creased in volume as it proceeded to review
tho good phases of my life and to advise the
congregation to be prepared for death, inti-
mated that the pastor had assumed the sacred
duty Of his office. For fully an hour, which to
me seemed an age, he continued To paint in
vivid colors the instability of fortune and the
shortness OF life on earth. He closed with
prayer, after which, as those who we're present
were passing to take q last look at me,
mounful march, every note of which pierced
my neart like a poisoned arrow, shook the
windows OF the ancient church.
"All but the members of my family had
passed me by. They were asked to take u final
view Of the mortal remains of their beloved
husband and father. Grant Heaven that /
never may survive another moment like that!
CAS- my beloved ones, who vaiuly tried to
suppress their grief-aden sobS, stood by my
head felt tear drop upon my check. Had
IL been liquid fire ii would not have caused me
such frightful pains
"a vain yet desperate attempt to omen my
eyes l made and more hopelessly than ever my
spirit sank into n deeper anguish of mortal
grief. Once more l lay in the slowly moving
heaTse which was to convey me TO the cemetery
two miles distant where an open grave was
yawning TO swallow me up.
The fierce wind beat the snow against the
panes of glass in my lonely couch. 1t was cold
in the extreme and il is a wendcr that |
was not frozen to DEATH Mingled with
the raging wind, bells in yondcr ChUTCh-toWer
to!led my funeral kneil, sending shocks of in
desoribaOle grief into my wretched soul. Only
the fortunes OF Promethcus on whose vitals 4
raven continually fed, can be compared with
my suffering.
A4..s. of iavxr 1,,s,-4
one, two, three shovels full Of earth were
thrown upon my coffin.
al this late moment | resumed my physical
strength and voice. | told them to open the
coffin, and | was saved.
"A hundred times would [ rather die upon
the rack or above a slow fire than once more
eXperience such terrible living death.n