The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-08-04
DYING VISIONS.
The Strange Last Words Of 1s Libbie
Welcome.

Welcome.
Lsst winter Mrs. Libbie Welcome died
az her residence in East oakland.
Shortly before dying she wrote the fol-
lowing remarkable letter, which was first
published in the Seneca, Kan, News:
DEAR, DEAR MOTHER: I never like to
write to you unless can say something
cheerful or encouraging, and that is get
ting to be scarce article with me. am
getting SO discouraged myself about get
ting well, and poor, dear Harris shows it
in his looks how it is wearing on him.
/ only live from day to day on the
strength gain from DR.. Townsend's mag
netic power.
A number Of times since he has been
treating me, and was lying with my
eyes closed, saw beautiful angel come
soaring down across the bed and sail
around over his head five or six times.
Oh! she was SO lovely-seemed to be q
girl of 10, as near as could judge, and
every time saw it had warning she
was coming by seeing bright star before
my eyes-looked like an electric light,
only much more beautiful.
Then when l see that and close my
eyes, she comes; then sometimes can see
others around her. They seem to fit
around her like birds. But get the idea
from that bright light, dear mother, that
when we leave this life to go to the spirit
land they come with those lights to ferry
us over in safety. You know l always
dreaded that hour so, for was so afraid
of the dark, but now I am satisfied they
come after us, we do not have to go alone /;
also that those that go are better off than
those that are left in this cold, selfish
world to fight for place large enough to
place their feet on. So, mother dear, if
l am never permitted to come to you in
life, you may know / shall watch and
wait for you.
Then you can rely on me to come with
that bright light to meet you and light
your way when it begins to look dark.
This may be something for you to look
forward to, for you know you can depend
on me, unless sickness intervenes, that is
all that ever came between US, and we
know there is no sickness there. Trust
ing you will! never linger and suffer as l
do-don't grieve for me. Make the best
of life as you always have. If cannot
help to brighten it here may in heaven.
l do have such queer dreams. The
very same meaning could be placed to
four of my dream or visions in succession.
And my poor dear husband is hurt every
time and comes to me, lays his head down
in my lap like Mary's lamb; then in my
dreams everywhere I start to 60 there is
wide, deep river to cross, but some way l
manage to go around, cross over or under
-one time the water parted and l went
across on dry land and then it closed up.
My dreams arc like DR.. Talmage's some
times. SO cannot tell whether they are
born of shadow or sunlight; whether they
are thoughts let loose and disarranged as
in slumber, or the imagination Of facul-
ties awake. Anyway, it gives food for
thought to reflect on while l am shut in
from the outside world. You remember
Talmage said there was fashion in head
dress and attire that Immediately took
his attention. The fashion was white
and the headdress garland of roses and
mignonette, mingled with green leaves
culled from the roya! gardens.
Do yop wonder he was so fascinated2
Indeed one has to experience something
of the kind to fully appreciate it. Me-
thinks I see him even now strolling
through the imaginary churches and ca
thedrals that contained that vast multi
tude he spoke Of. How beautiful and
grand it is to be carried away from the
noise, hustle and worry of the tiresome
old world and feed on such pastures cen
tor one short hour. Dear mother, some
times think the Lord sends the angels
down to spirit our thoughts away on such
p mission-to encourage us to look for
ward to something higher and nobler than
earth possesses; to show US there is always
a way prepared for US, and we will come
out triumphant. His teachings seem blind
to some of US, but perhaps We are not very
apt scholars. However, allowing me to
express my opinion, I think you and l
have our lessons well learned, especially
IN patience on your part and suffering on
mine. What think you2
With much to all,
LIBBIE WELCOME.
Oakland, March 9, 1894.
praearuo finn nT rcrn