Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-21
About to be Buried Alive

Waiter E liot. e yonug man living with
his wife at Williamsburg, n. Y, would
have baen buried recently as per arrange
mept with sn undertaken, had be really
died, as his relatives aud frieods supposed
he did on Friday night. But Elliott ia a
very much alive man and ia highly indig-
napt ct the manner il which he has been
treated. About two weeks hgo Elliott ccn'
planned of psin 10 the stomach and wes
advised "a try some medicine that his fellow
workmen suggested. This had not the de.
aired effect and he was forcad to suspend
work and take TO his bed. A physician was
called in and he found upon examination
that Elliott was suffering with inhammS-
tion OF the lungs of the most malignant
type. Regularly the doctor called at the
house to see his patient and many Of FL
liott's friends came there nightly to keep
him company. During the early part of last
week it was thought that his end was near.
Ejliott's more Intimate friends and relatives
were daily in attendance upon him ard
waiting for the end TO come. On Thursday
be rallied someWha', aud there were out
ward signs that he would safely pass Inc
crisis Bat What hopes his wife and re!a-
tives had of their sick one were dashed to
pieces when Eliott's condition became
worse than ever. He failed all day Friday,
and in the evening it was thought that his
demise vas only q question Of lew hours.
Around his bedside were gathered his vile,
-everai of her relatives and some OF
Eiliott's brothers. Later in the evening tha
ratient became uncons cious, and finally gave
several convulsive gasps and then was quiet.
III e is dead" said one. "His heart has stop.
PED beating" Elliott's face had become an
ashen hue and he really had the appearance
OF being dead. His young wife sobbed
aloud end was joined in her sorrow by her
relatives. Later in the evening an under
taker came with several assistants and all
the paraphernalia necessary to prepare the
body for burial When The icebox had been
carried into the house and left in the hall
until the mournera had left the room, the
unGertakers proceeded to do their work.
The mouth, it s said, looked little out of
shape on account OF the suffering Elliott
had undergone, and it was Strengthened.
While the men were performing their usual
services Elliott suddenly opened his eyes
and then raised bis head. The undertaken
aud his assistants were thundersttuck. Just
IS one of the assistants was retreating 10.
ward the door the revived patient STAN.
UlSEeu uut W-u-d-L, W-u-a-t are yUu ~
ing to do with ne? ?" Nothing at ALL"
exclaimed the alarmed undertaken a. he
called the boys to help him carry the poor
fellow to o bed. Then they left him. With
perspiration on his brow the indignant un
taker sought Eiliott's wife and demanded to
know why che had sent for MIN when her
husband wasn't dead my God, and be is
not dead" !" patbe;ically cried the grief
stricken woman, but in a moment the sor.
row that bad pefvaded The house was turr
ed into joy, and while the undertaker's as
sistsnts were gathering up tho icebox and
the white shrouds Elliot. was telling his
wife and relatives that be must have been
in trance, when he suddenly awakened to
find the undertaken preparing him for
burial.