The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-09-13
MR.. OTIS TELLS OF HIS DEATH.
Doctors Call It Suspended Animation. but
lie Knows Better,


Levin p. Otis of Hammond, Ind, was
stricken with pneumonia In Chicago and
was taken to hospital. After prolong-
ed Illness he was pronounced dead and in
due time buried He had been permitted
to rest for but one day and part Of a night,
when several medical students dug him
up. They shipped him back to Chicago
and placed him In the dissecting room In
the college of which they were students,
and after getting out their knives and roll
ing up their sleeves were about to proceed
TO cut him up after the most scientific
mode when he opened his eyes and asked
them for drink of water. The students,
In spite Of their calloused nerves, were hor-
ror struck and fled from the room, leaving
Mr.. Otis in full possession. He in mo-
ment sank again into insensibility and
would no doubt have died in earnest In a
short time had the frightened students not
recovered themselves and returned to ap-
ply restoratives.
In speaking Of his horrible experiences
and sensations while sinking into the
grave and thence to the dissecting table,
where he 30 narrowly and miraculously
escaped the keen and eager knives of the
students, Mr.. Otis said
al was sick and in great pain. Once !
thought that might die, and then, fear
ing to invite death, dismissed the idea.
But my suffering increased, and l knew
that was becoming weaker and weaker
day by day. Oh, the drearness of the long
nightsi 1 lay sketching plans for future
work, and looked back upon the skele-
tons of good resolutions. But my life, my
misdeeds, did not pass before me in re-
view. simply pronounced myself fail
ure in the aggregate and regretted 1t, and
am now constrained to think that, no
matter how much man may have accom-
plished he must, as death draws nigh, re-
gard himself as n failure.
Zone night all pain suddenly ceased.
This was hopeful, and thought I'd tell
my attendant about it, but when attempt
ed to speak found that could not. This,
however, did not worry me any. But why
should so heavy weight be placed upon
my breastp looked down to see what it
was, but could see nothing. Oh, how tired
I was, but suffered no pain. 1t was the
rest that must come after so long and ex-
haustive fight. I attempted to raise my
hand and couldn't. l couldn't raise even
a finger. This was strange, but not alarm
ing. What was that heard2 The doctor
had said that could last but few mo-
lObScr. udb WIS uOustllst. L WOulu
show him. How quiet were my nerves,
and had been SO nervous What a relief
The heaviness was gone, but / couldn't
move.
"Why had they put out the light9 What
was thatP Some one said: Pull down the
shadef The sun is shining in my fnce. ;
Sun shining in my facel Why, the sun
had gone down hours ago. Oh, how the
human family persisted in lyingi What
was that dropi They had taken the pillow
from under my head. What was that
faint sound away off yonder2 A voice that
said, How he must sufferl' Suffer-
wasn't suffering at all. But / couldn't re-
main much longer In this condition. And
mused that II could only turn over
would go to Sleep couldn' Il move, though,
and lay there thinking.
"Suddenly | thought: This is death.
Why didn't l think of it before3 When
did begin dyingi Oh, it must have been
years ago Why, have been dying all my
life.' Well, was glad it was all over.
Then / unused: Il wonder IL l am dead
now. How am to know when am deadi
l put 1t all aside. l will sleep.
"The next thing ! knew was feeling
of thirst, and that was when asked those
carvers for drink of water. And want
to say that they may call it suspended an
imation and all that sort of thing, but
know that have been dead. "-Indianap-
a.te Gap.;E-'