The San Francisco call., 1897-09-22
DID HE SEE
BEYOND THE
DARK VEIL?
William Graham's Tale
Given CredenCe by
His Relatives.
STATEMENT MADE BY
HIS FATHER.
Insists That There Can Be NO
Doubt as to the Young
Mans Death.
LIFE RETURNED TWENTY
MINUTES LATER.
Others Who Were at the Sick Mans
Bedside COrroborate the
Parents Story.
Insists That There Can Be NO
Doubt as to the Young
Mans Death.
LIFE RETURNED TWENTY
MINUTES LATER.
Others Who Were at the Sick Mans
Bedside Corroborate the
Parents Story.

SANTA NJ ONICA CAL, Sept. q. -
T ere is no question of more importancs
than that OF future existence-not only
of existence, but as 10 the individuality OF
tn at exis tence; whether when lie is ended
the spirit is merged with common source,
even The most high, or retains its knowl-
edge and is permitted to go on in a higher
state and prove the inherent divinity that
has prompted its hopes and am bitions.
Therefore, the strange story oi William
Graham. who, according to those at his bed
side, died, and after many mmutes-from
fifteen to twenty-was called back to earth
by the insistent grief of his wife, must be
OF bsor bing interest. Graham is not sem
timentalist, but a practical. bright young
man, with more than the ordinary intel
IIgenCe.
He made a brave struggle for his life,
home and happiness, and when he knew
that the progress of his disease (consump-
tion) could not be stayed he heroiCaIly
worked as long as his will could force his
weary body to do its bidding. Then he
calmly faced tue inevitable with phiIos-
ophy and patience rarely seen, but doubly
saddened by the fact that he must leave
| his little family utterly unproYiaed for.
doubling soul who IS longing to know if
there is chance to meet loved ones here
after 1t will have accom- pIished much
good, for that haunting question is with
so many who submit 10 life's difficult
problems with the ever present hope that
The future will atone.
William Graham has no fear now. He
is longing for his release. For months he
lr1o ~ 1.
splendid vitality, but resolutely and
bravely facing the inevitable. Months
ago he had to give up his cornet, which
must have been serious deprivation, for
be was fine player, with true musi-
clans love for it. He resigned his posi-
tion in the band at the National Soldiers
Home at this place, and went to Oakland
two years ago. He worked there and in.
San Francisco in different positions; also
playing in orchestras in the evening, hop
ing to provide fund for his little family.
A year there demonstrated the fact that
he must come 10 Southern California
again. The family settled in Pomona,
where he obtained light employ yment, but
in few months he had to give UP even
that.
They came back to Santa Monica. where
they both have many friends. The little
wife, who was Miss Nellie Heath, had
lived here since childhood.
Still Graham struggled to care for his
family. A braver fight was never made.
He has shown q wonderful herosm, but
human endurance is Iimitable and the
past lew weeks of terrible suffering since
he has been confined to his bed have made
him long for his release. When he was
told there were but a lew hours before him
he seemed glad TO be relieved from further
suffering and when he came back, as from
the grave, his first words were:
"Oh, who brought me back? Why did
you do it? Every thing was so beauti-
full"
And the coming back was accompanied
by further suffering; the cramped and
shrunken body was contorted. One of the
women present said to-day:
II shall never forget that awful sight.
1t was harder than his death"
Graham said to his father, You went
little way with me, father" and this
comforts the old man to think that his
boy chung to him in memory.
To one of the women preseat-Mrs.
Nelson, who is one of Santa Monica's .st-
known and respecte! citizens-Graham
described in detail as much as his strength