The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-09
FALL FROM GREAT HEIGHTS,
vhe Sensation Described by One Who
Experienced II.

ENperienceu W.
A German scientist. Professor Albert
Helm. who fell over a precipice In the
Alps, but lived to tell the tale, makes
that story very encouraging account
to those with an inclination to high
jumps and the like.
His fall was only seventy feet yet
that would be more than enough to
satisfy temperate person. His story
Ia full Of interesting detail.
At first he seemed to himself to be
flying through the air His fall really
could have occupied only a few Sec
onds, but his train Of thought was
long and full Of interesting details.
Il clearly saw" he says. "the posi-
bility OF my fate. ! said to myself.
The rocky wall from which am now
being hurled prevents my seeing what
is at its base The snow may be melt
ed there or there may be none. If
there is any, my life may be saved
Otherwise death is inevitable.
eff | am conscious on reaching the
earth. ! have by me bottle Of aro-
matics and my alpenstock. will
grasp 1t. for 1t may serve me in good
stead | thought, too, of removing my
eyeglasses lest their splintering might
cause injury.
"other and gentler thoughts for those
was to leave behind came upon me-
For myself | felt Indifferent, caring
really little whether should be much
injured or not, but from motives of
consideration for others ! felt impell-
ed, as 1t were. to make light Of the
matter | seemed to call aloud. I am
not much hurtr
II recollected that in five days more
was to have delivered an inaugural
discourse and thought of the grief my
death would cause to those near and
dear to me, Anon. lying. as it were, on
the limit Of a far distant horizon. APP
peared distinct and divers images and
episodes of my past life. The whole
mental picture stood out clear cut and
illumined by divine and mysterious
light.
"All things seemed lovely and of
good report There were no misgiv-
ings, no anxieties. no sorrow, pain or
terror.
There were no sensations of contest
or strife, All was merged in feelings
Of genial good will and kindly feeling.
Such feelings predominated over all
and formed what was truly a unique
and lovely picture.
Gradually Il heaven of glorious blue
flecked with crimson clouds of gossa-
mer lightness surrounded me. In them
| was waited to and fro borne up from
below, but painlessly and pleasantly,
while a vast and moving snow field
seemed to accompany me. Anon the
perception of objects, subjective
thoughts, a medley of various feelings,
seemed to circle In concentric mazes
around as common center.
"Then came dull thud, which |
heard very distinctly, but did not feel.
and my fall was ended. AT that in
slant dark veil passed before me.
Il called aloud three or four times i
am not much hurt grasped my glass
es, which lay near me, and touched my
limbs to make sure they were not
broken.
"Then saw my companions slowly
approaching. They told me good half
hour had elapsed after my fall before
| spoke.
II had lost consciousness, and that
explains the dark veil Later the pow
er Of thinking returned. ! was con-
scious only so long as was falling Of
the perception Of beautiful images. At
the moment of contact with earth they
disappeared"
On another occasion DR.. Helm was
injured In d carriage accident He said
that he distinctly heard and counted
the bone fractures-seyen in ALI
which he received. He quotes the evil
dence Of an Italian who had similar
experience. Gateway.
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