Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-05
DEATHS SENSATIONS.

Although neither physician nor .
clergyman / wish to, corroborate the
views Of the physicians contrsdicting
Rev. DR.. Epworth under the heading.
"What Is DeathY' In your Sunday issue.
As . Federal soldier, May 81, 1852, I
was one Of those who fought against
the surprise of General Johnston, at
the time commander of tho Confed-
crate army, at Fair Oaks. The sur
prise was made at noontime. while
our boys were eating lunch. remem-
Der one soldier being struck In vital
part and killed while leaning upright
against tree in the act Of carrying
dapjack to his mouth, remaining aftor
death in precisely the same position.
When saw him standing there / mis-
took him for q live man, especially as
he seemed to me intent only on eating
his fspjsck, but the illusion was dis
PEELED when touching him, because as
an officer ! wanted him to join his COM
rades.
My own personal experience In the
matter confirms the physicians' also.
The Goth of April, 1885, q fire was rag
ing in my factory in San Francisco. By
some means ! was about $50 feet from
the main entrance In the burning build
ing when, to my disnlay, I beheld the
five story wall topple over mo through
skylight. Passively / lowered my head,
thinking only of my coming death and
wishing it would be swift. In less than
Q second thousands Of bricks fell on me.
sounding like q big drumstick beating
on big bass drum. / remember .
crash, then nothing, but when came 10
my senses was wcdged in betwoen
heavy timbers, tho upper part Of my
body only being free.
About q dozen steps back Of mo was
stranger to me who had not received .
scratch. but ascertaining that my leg
was broken, and also my utter inability
to save myself, he crawled over to me
and attempted to phil me out Of my ter
rible situation. But all his efforts only
increased my suffering, and as ! saw the
flames come up entreated him TO leave
me to my fate and try to save himself.
Finally he crawled away, promising,
however, to return with help and axes.
! must have been bewildered, for no act
of my past hfe came to my memory, but
suddenly thinking Of my small, mother
less children shouted for help, whis-
Ting at intervals through my fingerA
Some fremen must have heard. for
presently there were several streams OF
water poured ON me. / then realized
my dangen yet I. who had never gone
into battle without pang, felt none
whatever while In that deathtrap. Tho
water and smoke combined must havc
ssphyxiated me, for when my stranger
returned leading . brave party Of fire.
men and policemen laid n one dead.
Believing me dead, and being in very
dangerous position, they cut away part
Of the tifnb~rs and ra'ely hut safely
passed me over the debris In the street
A deafening shout from an immense
thron9 which had witnessed the gallant
rescee, streams Of cold watar and fresh
air revived me, and I begged Of them 10
De- careful with my limtp, which were
dangling from my body.
After many weeks Of suffering the
physicians decided % break mr. leg
again. but b~inx unable 10 do ID we'll
while bad toy sesses they decided 90
eiflorofoftn me-. Being subject 10 heart
disease ebjaetsd. bat The matter b~ing
ufgeat finally consented 10 tats TIA
ans~~shstse fatiY convinced. however.
That shossld lie nader IL isaussee. las
.