Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-24
A WILD, WEIRD TALE.
An Incident of an Epidemic of Spir-
itualism in Arkansas.
MESSAGE OF A DYING HUSBAND
And the Brief Visit of His Widow to the
Farther Shore.
SHE TELLS THE STORY IN HER OWN WAY

LITTLE ROCK, ARK, Jan. 23.-What
might be termed an epidemic of spiritual
ism is now raging in this city, and a num-
Der of quite startling cases of materializa-
tion have been related. The circumstances
of one case of particular note were related
to reporter by lady whose husband
died a few months ago. The chief
interest lies in the partial sunderlng
of the veil that separates this world from
the next, and the similar experience of two
persons whose spirits actually passed away
from their mortal frames, but at the last
moment were recalled to continue a little
while longer their earthly pilgrimage.
"It was surely an unearthly experience"
said the widow as soon as the correspondent
had stated his mission. Neither my hus-
band nor myself was inclined to be relig-
, ious, although we often talked about death
and wondered what the condition of the soul
was after it left the body. But as we were
constantly coming in contact with dead
persons the feeling of horror and dread. 80
common to other people. never affected us.
The first thing that brought about close
study of the subject was an experience
1 had during very severe spell of sick
ness. My friends had given me up
as hopeless case and were expecting death
at any moment. I was perfectly conscious,
although very weak. 1 had heard them say
that death was liable to come soon. Still, L
did not feel afraid. made no effort to make
my feelings known. but laid perfectly still,
carefully analyzing my thoughts as if I felt
the dissolution approaching. My frame
quivered. gave forth sound resembling
gasp. I heard the attendants murmur
She is dead, and then it seemed that my
spirit foated out into a light OF most
dazzling brightness.
A Visit to the Other Shore.
"There were forms and objects moving
about in myriajs, put could not distin-
guish one from the other. ALI the while I
was enjoying the most intense happiness I
was perfectly at rest. Looking back could
see my mortal remains and the friends bend
ing over them. My husbands head was
bowed between his hands, and many of the
women were weeping. Then like fash all
the deeds of my life, both good and bad,
seemed to spring into view. From early
childhood to womanhood they marched
along, alternately condemning or approving.
iuture abode in the land OF spirits.
AS memory brought to light things
forgotten long ago, I felt an intense
desire to go back to earth and live my life
over again, the good deeds were so small In
proportion to tlR bad ones. Then I began
to sink The bright light grew dim and
soon faded away. I was soon plunged into
impenetrable darkness. II seemed that
had been sent back to live little while
longer on earth as punishment for not
showing a better life record. When my
spirit struggled felt the mortal prison
once more. 1 trembled, opened my eyes,
and then heard someone scream, She's
not deadl She has only been in tranceP
Little by little strength came back. I after
ward learned that the doctors had pro-
nouEced me dead. I had lain in a state re-
sembling death for several hours. My hus-
band had even gone so far as to prepare a
casket in which to place my remains.
'This awful experience seemed to change
my whole nature. Instead of taking merely
a casual interest in spiritual things, began
to study the matter with the utmost vigil
ance. I told my husband and few friends
of the sights 1 had seen when my spirit
seemed to have left my body. 1t was too
sacred TO me and too strange to be told
broadcast, so that very few of my friends
even know of the incident, to say nothing of
strangers. When told my husband he
showed the most intense interest, and re-
marked at the close of my narration that he
believed every word of it. He even startled
me by saying:
The Husbands Experience.
"T had an experience of almost the same
kind when I was very young man. In
stead OF sickness mine was caused by drown
ing. After struggling in the water until
completely exhausted, resigned myself to
my fate and sunk. The first sensation was
one of pain, then came dreamy, delightful
feeling in which 1 was supremely happy.
After that came the bright light of daz-
zling intensity, with the review of life's
record and the command to 60 back on
earth once more. felt so light; and free
that dreaded to assume mortal existence