The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-12
BURIED ALIVE.
A Scientist Describes an Accident to Him
self in Excavating a Mound.

self in EXcavating Mound.
81 have made bold to write upon an
unpleasant experience of the year 1855
at the suggestion of several friends in
terested in studying suspended respira-
ton. They have told me that eases of
complete burial in earth (the subject
being conscious MEANWHILE where the
person inferred escaped with his life
and was able to give a satisfactory or
intelligent account of his feelings are
extremely rare. They suggested that,
as nv accident would furnish material
for consideration among medical men
interested in kindred studies with
themselves, It had better be described.
"A mound was being eXcayated near
Frankfort, Ross county, O., that year.
At the center the wall, from base line
upward. was fifteen feet high IT was
undermined by the workmen, and as
bent down to examine a small bone I'M
covered in the process of undermining
a mass of earth equal to several cart
loads suddenly dropped from above,
There was no one in the excavation,
the men having gone on top prepare
tory to cutting down the undermined
wall As the earth cracked loudly
looked up and started to rise. The fall
ing mass knocked me back about five
feet, so that | fell with my head and
shoulders resting upon heap of loose
earth. The falling wall was, of
course. seen only for an instant 1t
looked black. and the rush of wind 1t
caused ! well remember. My head and
shoulders were somewhat higher than
nv legs. possibly a foot. The feet were
apart There was little pain, only
pressure. intense pressure. 1t forced
the buttons off my light field costume
partly inside the flesh: my watch chain
left bright red mark along my left
side. ! could feel the atch strongly
pressed against two ribs these were
broken. The skin over my forehead
seemed being cut, but If was the pres
sure of my hat forcing the flesh he
tween the laced straws- knife IA
my pocket seemed burning hot. Just
under the small of my back Icy large
clod The pain at the point of contact
was considerable at times. and my
spinal column seemed slowly breaking.
Then the pain stopped and could feel
. nothing.
Thoughts coursed ike lightning
past life, future and home. ! dis. not
think much of the situation. except 20
wonder if | could breathe when ! got
ont. One singular thought occurred /
remembered Of reading q women who,
in war times, buried their husbands in
ash piles or sand heaps 70 prevent their
being drafted into the army. had
often wondered 4 i were possible for
( one 50 placed TO breathe through tube
as described in he stories ] remember
t-ving to move a haad-even finger
One could not have been more firmly
/ held in :. mold Ny arms and hands
were perfectly rnotioniess. The shest
could hot be inflated or moved the
slightest distance. ON the contrary.
( the downward pressure forced ali the
/ air cat 81 my lungs ] reTneEnher fo7v
I hot tho earth against nv face became
as the last breath was forged from re.
just in front 81 nv mouth aud chin was
slight hollow. formed b. the srching
+ OF two good-sized Jumps 81 clay.
could move my chin ana open and shut
/ nv month That was the cnlr Iesrf -
my entire BODY that could b. Tnored-
( = member trving ~ keep M
mouth shut % keep out tbe dsr;- Bus
( after a fcy seconds sny mouth lnstfs'et-
/ irelv oysearl and -se arch having
( 15-7os1e.s ssf,ggss- earth SLED ii- : rerBesn-
F l-.r ne horrible sensation g trT1ng 20
Z d5aladze the earth and The tes- O;
stranxlfng t}.at suddenly seized rpon
! ne 1hen FL; that I was doomed -
. perish bat had 10 fear z4.a did 70.