Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-08-10
Horrible Experience in a Trance.

summoned. Ihe following mgnt L
grew very Respondent, and | seemed
TO feel that something unusual was
about to happen.
The next morning, shortly after
sunrise felt curious sensation ar my
feet, which became heavy, as il they
were sleeping. This sensation came
farther and farther upward, and | be-
gan TO think that if il 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 entertained. AS they lay 10y
my bedside praying-oh, never shall
forget those prayers bade them all
farewell, and fell back paralyzed,
unable TO move even finger or To
open my eyes, and TO every one but
myself was dead.
Ii was silver-headed sage OF my
acquaintance who the greater part Of
his life had lived in southern Pennsyl-
vania, that was relating 10 me mis- eX
perience of being about To be buried
while apparently dead, says writer
in the 81. Paul Dispatch.
The agony and tortures suffered
for the next three days would fill vol
umes, yet the horror of my situation
could not be expressed" he continued
i heard the weeping and wailing of
my dear wife and children, who were
nearly frantic with grief felt the
kisses OF my darling little daughter
as she clung To my bosom implored
me TO speak aud asked il loved her.
heard my prattling child pray that
life would return To papa for mamma's
sake. was imprisoned in my own
body-tied down even more than IL
/ had been placed in chains. Then
crme the fears Of being buried alive.
/ | heard how the arrangements for my
/ funeral were to be made, who should
/ be the pallbearers and what minister
should deliver my funeral sermon.
The style Of my coffin heard dis
cussed at length between my wife and
neighbor." This was the most terri
/ ble conference TO which ever listen
ed, said the old man, as he wiped
the tears from his eyes and contin-
ued.
Il fell asleep and remained uncon-
scious until the next day. When |
awoke | was being placed in my coffin
that awe inspiring, ghastly box In
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 coffin | listened TO such
eXclalnations as Isn't he naturaly
oh, doesn't he look life-likeT and the
/ like on such an occasion. On the
third day was still In u trance. About
nine in the forenoon, 80 | am told, all
was ready for the funeral. Into my
house filed six OF my friends, who
transported my coffin into the hcarse
at the door. After "A short time | was
again taken out from the fatal car.
riage; this was at the church, where
the benedictions were TO be pro-
nounced. The church had been
crowded with people when the servi-
ces began. The pine boards OF my
coffin quivered as the deep tones Of
the organ and the voices OF the choir
echoed through the corridors OF the
sanctified ediiice. The dreadful music
ceased and all was hushed save the
heartrendering sobs Of my wife. A
low voice from the pulpit which in
creased In volume as IL proceeded In
review the good phases Of my life and
10 advise the congregation TO be pre-
pared for death, intimated that the
pastor had assumed the sacred duty
OF his Office. For fully an hour, which
TO me seemed All 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, a. those who were present
were passing to take last look at me
a mournful march, every note OF
which pierced my heart like poi
soned arrow, shook the windows Of
the ancient church. All but the mem
bers of my family had passed me by.
They were asked 10 take final
view OF the mortal remains Of their
beloved husband and father. Grant
Heaven, that | never shall survive
another moment like that. As my
beloved ones, vainly tried to suppress
their grief laden sobs, stood by my
head i felt a tear drop upon my cheek
had il been liquid fire ii would not
have caused me such frightful pains.
a vain yet desperate attempt TO open
my eyes made and more hopelessly
than ever my spirit sank into deeper
anguish Of mortal grief Once more
lay in the slowly moving hesrse
which was To convey me to the Gene
terry two miles distant, where al open
grave "as yawning to swallow Inc up.
The fierce wind beat the snow against
the panes ot glass ia my lonely couch.
1t was cold in the extreme, aud IL IL
wonder that was not frozen to death.
Mingling with the raging wind, the
bells ia yonder church tower toIled
my funeral knell, sending shocks OF
indescribable grief into my wretched
soul. Only tortured Promethus on
whose yitals a raven continually fed,
can be compared with my suffering.
Once at the cemetery / was soon
hoisted into my grave-this dismal
den Of death-and one, two, three
/ shoyels fult of Garth were fhYowfs