The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-11
A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
Thoughts and Sensations of a Man
Who Was Buried Alive.

science.
A mound was being excavated near
Frankfort, Ross County. Ohio in August.
At the center the wall (from the base line
upward) was fifteen feet high. 1t was
undermined by the workmen, and as bent
down to examine a small bone uncovered
in the process of undermining, mass of
earth equal TO several carloads suddenly
dropped fIom above. There was no one
in the excavation. the men having gone on
top preparatory TO cutting down the IN
dermined wall. AS the earth cracked
loudly looked up and started to rise. The
falling mass knocked me back about five
feet, so that fell with my head and shout
ders resting on heap of loose earth.
The falling wall was of course seen only
for an instant 1t looked black, and the
rush of wind it caused l Well remember
My head and shoulders were somewhat
higher than my legs. possibly foot. The
feet were spread apart. There was little
pain-Only pressure, intense pressure. 1t
| forced the buttons of my light field cos
tune partly inside the flesh. My watch
chain left bright red mark along my left
side. l could feel the watch strongly
pressed against two ribs CHEESE were
brokeD). The skin over my forehead
seemed being cut, but it was the pressure
of my hat forcing flesh between the laced
straws. A knife IN my pocket seemed
burningly hot.
Thoughts cOursed like lightning-past
life, future and nome | did not think
much of the situation, except To wonder il
l could breathe when got out. One sim
gular thought occurred. | remembered
reading OF women who in war times buried
their husbands in ash piles or sand heaps
to prevent their being drafted into the
army. l had often wondered if it were
possible for one so placed to breathe
through o tube, as described in the stories.
L remember trying to move one hand.
even Is finger. One could not have been
more firmly held in mold. My arms and
hands were perfectly motionless. The
chest could not be inflated or moved the
slightest distance. On the contrary, the
downward pressure forced all the air out
of my lungs.
l remember how hot the earth against
my face became as the last breath was
forced from me. Just in front of my
mouth and chin was a slight hollow.
formed by the arching of two good-Sized
Jumps of clay. L could move my chin and
open and shut my mouth. That was the
only part OF my entire body that could be
moved. | remember trying to keep my
mouth shut to keep out the dirt. But after
a lew seconds my mouth lnstlncuvely
opened, and the arch having broken down
earth filled it. [ remember the horrible
sensation of trying to dislOdga the earth
and the fear Of strangllng that suddenly
seized upon me. l then felt that l was
doomed to perish, but had no fear and did
not particularly care.
1t was sixty seconds, so the surveyor
says, when the men reached my head.
The labOrers think it was over a minute.
but | am inclined TO believe the surveyor.
/ felt the earth move slightly above my
head. That gave me hope. | had not
thought much of rescue, but | gathered my
remaining strength. A shovel passed
across the top of my head, cutting the
iron had struck me. Then they uncovered
my head and removed the earth from my
mouth and eyes, The surveyor says tn q
pressure was so great upon the imprisoned
portions Of my body that the blood was
forced 10 the head, and the veins stood
out so strongly he feared they would
burst. Even with the head uncovered ]
could not breathe. They soon had me
laid outside upon some wheat sheaves. |
remember Just as they carried me out,
seeing little yellow wild canary" perch
upon tall thistle near at hand. | heard
it sing sweet song.
AS the bird few away seemed to follow
it. dancing about the fields, peIchug on
this and that shrub. just as it did. The sky
seemed to have different color from that
usually noticed; l was impressed with its
grandeur-the scenery of the surrounding
country was remarkably beautiful, and as
l observed all these things they affected
me and cried. They rubbed my limbs.
could see the men at work. but could feel
nothing. The partial paralysis of my limbs
continued for some days. To some extent
the accident has affected my mind. l can
not now enter an underground cave or
mine or stand under an Overhangng bank
without an effort. 1t requires all my will
power to 90 in them. l also often dream
of caving banks and experience precisely
the same feelings as did iii reality.
neglected to state that the earth above my
hua " q n foaf
my legs was much deeper.