The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-05-16
AFuneral Postponed Owing to Doubts whether
1t Was Case of Death or Suspended
Animation.

The people Of Sykesville and the surround
ing country were thrown into state oil eN.
element on Sunday afternoon by the report
that Mrs. Lavinia Brown, whose remains hau
been taken to the Presbyterian Church near
that place for interment, was not dead. IL
was said her death was q case of suspended
animation. The report proved uniounded' as
after examination by two physicians lie was
pronounced extinct. Mrs. Brown was NOT
buried on Sunday, as first Intended, however,
owing TO the conviction of her husband that
She was not dead. Her body was taken from
the church and kept until Monday afternoon;
when all doubt of her death was removed and
the body buried.
Mrs. Brown was the wife of Benjamin +;
Brown, living near Hoods Mills. She had
been in feeble health for more than year.
suffering from a complication of diseases.
On Friday she arose in the morning as usual,
but after performing portion OF her house.
hold duties complained of sickness and went
IN her room. Later her husband came IN
from his farm work, and, going to hls vile
room, saw her lying on the bed, as he sup
nosed asleep. He left the room without dis
turbing her. Another member of the house
hold went in to see if she wanted anything
and going to the bed found 1t impossible 10
orouse Mrs. Brown. Other members OF the
family were called and it was ascertained that
she was dead 1t is supposed she had been
dead several hours before the discovery was
made. The remains were prepared Tor burial
and the funeral was set for Sunday afternoon
During Saturday and Sunday neighbors
called Mt the Brown homestead to offer assist
ance. and all remarked how natural and HE
like She looked. Many doubted that life was
extinct, and so expressed themselves. when
| the undertaken, James r. Weer, came to put
| the remains in the coffin he was requested by
| Mrs. Hannah Brown, sister-in-law OF the de-
ceased. TO make an examination and give an
! oninion as to whether or not Mrs. Brown was
dead. This Mr.. Weer did and said that un
doubtedly there was no life in the body
! Uncertainty still preyed upon the mind OF Mr.
Brown. but the body was put in the collin ant
the top screwed on.
The funeral train reached the church abou
3 O'Clock Sunday afternoon, but so CERTAIN
Inv this time was Mr.. Brown that his wife wa
not dead that he refused to allow the collin t
he carried further than the vestibule. Her
he insisted that it be opened. When the III
was removed the corpse still had the sam
lifelike appearance. The hands, which ha'
been folded across the breast, had unelaspe'
and fallen to her sides. There was no rlgldit
in the body, and every attempt TO place IN
hands in the original position failed, as the
would fall back as often as folded. The flesh
too. was elastic and would give to the touch
assuming its natural position as soon as re
lieved Of pressure. These circumstances stl
further strengthened the belief of Mr.. Brow
that his wife was not dead, and also create
doubt in the minds of all who saw the corps
Finally Mr.. Brown requested Rev. >. l.
Thomas. the minister, Prof. Trusten Polk an
Mr.. Weer to make an examination and Civ
their opinion. After viewing the body thes
gentlemen refused to give decided opinion
and suggested that the body be kept. owe
until the following day, and that physician
1niesced in by the relatives of the decease
and the funeral postponed.
The remains were carried to Springhe
Institute, near the church, by courtesy
Prof Polk, and Drs. d. B: SPrecher and
=. Smpley were I suT thn on;n;on HAT life WI
: gone. This removed all doubt, and Il
\ funeral took place at p. IN. on Monday.