The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-01-14
RAISING THE DEAD!.
A NEGRO WOMAN THINKS
SHE CAN WORK MIRA
Giles AND CAUSES
SOMETHING OF A SENSATION
At Shiloh Baptist Church by
Wanting to Prove Her
Power TO do So.

man well known about town, died Sun
day afternoon about O'Clock aud the
usual Arrangements for the enterment
we're promptly made. The attendance
at negro funerals is proyerbially large,
and on this occasion, when Il became
noised about the streets that a colored
woman, claiming TO be able to perform
miracles, would make an attempt at
the funeral TO raise the the corpse
"irom the dead" the colored people
turned out Ia dFoyes, and number Of
white people were attracted to Shiloh
Baptist church, which was the scene Of
the services, deceased having been a
member Of that body The reporter
reached the church about 3 O'Clock yes.
terday Monday afternoon, and found
J Il already well filed, while colored peo.
pie were ilocking in from every direc.
ton. A number Of men we're congre.
gated around the front door discussing
the mysterious subject. None Of them
gave any evidence Of belief in the
woman's self alleged power, which
was the subject Of much criticism, bat
still there was enough sensationalsm
about Il 10 make II the sole topic Of
conversation. One old grAy.bearded
negro emphasized his remarks with
crooked stick and allowed that, "No-
body but God kin raise de dead, an II
dis Womern kin do It dar wouldn't be
no use In havin' no God, no how. Law,
chile, dat won't do " and with that he
shifted HE qnid Of tabacco and shufled
into the house.
BY this time standing room was at a
premium inside, and the dolor0us tones
Of the tolling bell blended wierdly with
the rising tide Of voices singing the
first hymn, as with measured step the
pail bearers entered, bearing the coffin,
which was deposited In front Of the
altar. The wonder working woman
had not yet appeared on the scene, and
expectation was plainly written on
every face. Would she come? Iiso,
what would she do What would the
preachers and those in authority do ?
This last question interested the re-
porter no, a little. lie was anxious 10
observe the stand taken by the more
intelligent negroes sgains, an outcrop-
ping supersliiious nonsense. lie had
not long 10 wait. When the singing
ceased Elder d. II. shivers stepped
forward b the pulpit and complacently
surveyed the vast crowd for moment.
lie made no reference to the unusual
circumstances attending the service,
but opened a large Bible and began
reading the account Of the resurrection
Of Jesus Christ. During the reading
the much talked Of woman entered, at
tended by several other women, and
walked slowly down the aisle, pausing
frequently, and occs.ioning considera.
hle confusion by her presence eqd alb
stracted air. She Is a broWn.skinned
woman, rather tall, with prominent
and protFuding nose aud mouth, ex.
pressionless eyes aud generally va
cont look, which expresses little Of
intelligence much less inspiration. She
was neatly ai,ired IN black with braid.
ed bodice. Having traversed the
length Of the right aisle, she turned to
the left and paused again in front Of the
pulpit and above the remains Those
In a position to see claim that she then
made a slight demonstrations with
head and hands. Atany rate a sort Of
litter went ground, and the woman
moved on an sat down on the front
seat in the amen corner. The Elder
was little disturbed by the unusual oc-
ourrenoe and read on, merely admon.
ishing the congregation TO keep order.
Af,cr the reading Elder X. G. Gun.
ter 'lined" a hymn which was sung
with spirit He gave particular EN-.
phasis and significance 10 the lines;
Looks down and watches DER our
dust
Till lie shall bid us rise"
Elder Gupter then lsad In prayer which
occasioned considerable groaning and
shouting on the part Of members Of the
congregation. Elder ShiyeTs then took
for bis tex, the words, "Ye are com.
pete in Him" aud preached the IA.
neral sermon withoa, interruption, the
woman remaining quietly where she
sat- incidentally during the discourse
the Elder noted the fact that the de.
ceased died Of consumption, and re-
called the olden times when the ne
groes lived on corn bread and bacon
4 A