Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-06

First T contemplated the probability
~ nv fall and said TO myself, The
rock over whose edge shall be dasheo
evidently descends sheer. LOT > can
mn, soc the ground on the other side.
IL becomes, therefore, a question
whether or not there is snow at the TOOL
If SO. the snow will be melted near the
wall and viii form ledge on whlch
| shall land and thus escape with my
life: IL not. then | shall strike on the
rocks below and death will be unavoid-
able. If am not killed and am not
unconcious. / must at once take out
nv little vial of liquor and drink a few
drops of it. My alpenstock l must
hold on TO. for it may prove of use.
Il thought that / would take off my
snow glasses and throw them away,
for fear they might be broken and the
splintered glass get into my eyes; but
the position in which i was falling pre-
vented my moving my hanos sulIi-
GENTLY to DO this"
Another train of thought busted it,
self with the effect my fall would have
upon my companions. l said to my
self that when | landed. no matter
whether | was hurt or not. l must. if
possible. call out with all my might.
i am in nowise injured in order that
my comrades might rouse themselves
from their terror and be able to make
the difficult descent necessary for the
bringing of assistance to me-
Il also thought that / should not be
able to deliver my lecture which five
days later was TO mark my entrance
into the professorship. l realized how
the news Of my death would shock my
family and in thought | tried to con-
sole them"
Then | saw. as il upon a stage my
entire life pass like series of tab
leauX before me. | saw myself as the
chief actor. Everything seemed glori-
fled as by some heavenly light, and
all was beautiful and free from pain.
from anxiety and sorrow. Even the
memory of sad events was distinct, but
not sad
Exalted and beautiful thoughts
dominated and connected the single
scenes. and a divine quietudc sank like
sweet music into my soul. Ever more
and more plainly I felt myself sur
rounded by heaven of glorious blue.
filled with clouds of rose color and of
violet
Il sank gently and painlessly into
it. and saw that l was flying through
the air toward field of snow. OBJ
jective observations. reasoning and
subjective feeling We're INDUCED in
clearly and simultaneously. Then |
heard dull thud and my fall was
ended
AT the same moment it seemed To-
me that black object rushed by me.
and | called two or three times as loud
ly as | could: i am in nowise injured
| took some drops Of the liquor.
reached out for my snow glasses.
which lay unbroken beside me on the
snow: | felt my back and limbs to see
that no bones We're broken
When struck | lost consciousness.
Every sensation. every activity of
mind and nerve was annihilated for a
half-hour. The black object which
passed me was the passing Of con
ciousness. And without realizing the
half-hour interruption. thought and
activity We're resumed exactly where
they stopped. Between the stopping
and resuming was an absolute blank
me beautiful heavenly visions We're
noticeable only during the time that I
was flying through the air and could
see and think
Prof. Heirn said at the close of his
lecture that death by falling is sub
Jectively pleasant death. Without
any previous illness or suffering. If
occurs when one is fully conscious.
When mental activity is abnormallv
increased and without any anxiety or
pam. The Unconscious state is entered
suddenly and without suffering.-Medi-
cal Review