The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-10-09
in DEATHS SLEEP
Girl Sees HEAVEN
Meets Father and Brother
Long Since Dead.
Eth.l Powell. a Broeklir, New
York, Girl. In a Trance
Sees the Savior.

c-i, 10 years Olu, OF $40 GatcS avenue,
Brooklyn, n. Y. declared sne mad been
in heaven for As hours and mad seen
the Dic'y and ner dead father and
brother.
Etnel, a bright and pretty girl, af-
ter graduating from Sc DOL legged 10
be allowed 10 go 10 wuik AID lcip
support the GouseL, id. 8, e found &
position in the mail order dcpar; men;
of the American News company. of
Manhattan, where she remained until
ten weeks ago. One day sne COM
planned of being IL and was compelled
TO take to ner bed. The family pnysi-
clan pronounced ner case one of spin-
al meningitis. Her heart became weak
and she began TO waste away. The
physician could do little for her, for
Ethel was brooding over the lossl of
her father and little brother, Charlie.
The girl frightened up week ago,
and last Sunday called ner mother 10
her bedside where tne two prayed TO-
gether. About 10 o'clock that night
Ethel fell into what appeared TO be
peaceful sleep. Her mother heard
the girl talking TO herself. With ner
hands clasped, Ethel would murmur
the word beautiful" and her eyes
would light up as though she had
seen some beautiful vision. Finally
the girl became as still as death. she
remained in that condition for hours.
her eyes fixed ON the ceiling. Al
though her mother spoke 10 her re-
peatedly she made no answer.
DIR. Steen, of New York hospital.
was summoned. He did everything
known TO science to bring the girl TO
consciousness, but failed Her Jaws
We're set, and it was impossible to
administer restoratives. Never did
her eyes cnange from their fixed stare
upward and ner body was motionless.
DR.. Steen ned lighted candle before
her face. but the eyes never even
twitched. To all appearances she
was dead, and only faint beating of
the heart told the doctor that life
was not extinct. Thus she lay for a
whole day.
Word was sent to the rectory of the
Busnwick Avenue Congregational
church, and the pastor, the Rev. DR..
John Lewis Clark, hurried to the Pow
ell nome Ethel was one of mis- flock
and ne tried 10 arouse her. He said
last night that in response TO his eff
forts a bright smile came to tne girls
face and the word beautiful" was
murmered through the tightly closed
teeth. The minister watched at the
bedside for a long time and frequently
saw the smile illumine the girls face
and heard the word beautiful re-
peated. DR.. Steen and the Rev. DR.. |
Clark made other calls, but always
found Ethel in the trance. Finally al
4 O'Clock Tuesday afternoon, AZ hours
after she fell into what looked like
death sleep, Ethel's eyes moved and
she spoke.
"On, mamma, | have been TO heav-
en-" were her first words "Wnat IA
beautiful place. Why did they bring
me back. 1t was all so bright and |
lovely up there and everybody is so
happy"
Regaining strength, the girl told her
m "a .lYll 10 ct, 1
scribed beautiful gate opened 10 ner
and angles carrying her through |
space until she suddenly saw God be-
fore her.
God mad book, but ne told me /
1t was not my time yet" said Ethel. |
Il saw papa and little Charlie, both |
having wings. and they also said that
it was not time for me TO stay in |
heaven. 1t was SO beautiful that
did not want TO come back. pleaded |
but l suppose God wanted me to stay
on earth and comfort you, mamma,
and that is the reason | come back.
But | must go back, for there is no
trouble In heaven; all happiness and
no pain"
DR.. Clark was notified that Ethel
had awakened from her trance, and
going to her bedside heard her tell
what she had seen in heaven. The
was amazed, but Ethel told
her story so convincingly that he de-
clared last night there was no reason
10 doubt it.
Mr.. Rev. Robert McElroy, pastor of
The Linden Street Presbyterian church
a friend of the Powell family, was
and he also heard the tale
rom Ethels hips Since Tuesdya she
has been conscious and repeated over
md over again the story of her visit
% heaven.
The physicians do not hold out
much hope for the girls recovery, J
md Mrs. Powell has become resigned 4
@ the inevitable. 4
"She is good girl. and there is no +,
ioubt that what she says is true" de-