Year: 1865

DROWNING.


The following interesting communica-
tion will 60 far to explode the popular
belief that drowning is rather pleasant
institution. The writer seams to under
stand himself perfectly, and has given
US one Of the most graphic and thrilling
recitals ever submitted for publication
We don't want him to drown again; but
if another such calamity should befall
him, We will be happy to receive another
statement Of his experiences.


DES MONIES, Jan Sth, 1865.
Mr.. EDiToR:-I have often been told
that the experiences of person in the
act of drowning, arc not unpleasant by
any means. DR.. Adam Clark aud others
have made statements to this effect, based
upon actual experience. AS contribu-
tion to the world, l desire in this brief
paper to correct popular error on this
subject by rccounting my own narrow es-
cape from watery grave. On Wedncs-
day of last week, while skating on the
Des Moines River few miles above your
city, came unexpectedly to a imperfect
place in the ice, and was precipitaotd
into water ten feet deep. To the best of
my recollection, my first sensation was
that of excessive chilincss The accom-
panying effort to breathe in the wrong
element, had a strangling effect, depriv-
ing me Of self-possession could swim,
and, therefore, struck out to find the sur
face, despite the disordered state of my
senses. Rising from my first imm ersi,n,
feeling of hopelessness overlook me
when my head struck tho superincum-
bent ice, apprizipg me that l had failed
to reach the place Of my decent, and that
| was imprisoned in the river without
solitary prospect of escape.


For q moment turned my face up
ward, and saw tho sun shining 10 long
lines of light through the crystal walls
of my dungeon. The shadows Of tho
trees fell here and there over the river;
and when they first came within range of
my vision, a momentary thought occur.
red to me that they were friends rushing
to my assistance! A great gladncss
grew up in my heart on the instant, but
- r.s -, go h.;.r sc I:c~ -.I--- 49, ---l-~
was there. Twas alone in my helpless
agony, struggling with the engulfing
waters, and braving the terrors of horri-
BILE death! Braving, did | say? Let me
recall that expression. The pang which
followed that upward look, when the con-
viction darkly crowded upon my mind
that hopc was gone, and that my corpse
in few brief moments would foat with
the unresissed tide, was more terrible
than that which will stir the souls of men
when they shall be called to final Judge.
ment! 1t were useless to attempt an
analysis of my feelings. Brief as was the
period which intervened between the
moment Of collision with the ice and the
moment of my disappearance again into
the bosom of the river, it was long enough
to enable me TO think vividly on every
subject of personal concernment. Fami-
ly, friends, business, the events Of life.
time, and the dread mysteries Of the
world which lieth among the shadows of
the dreamless land, passed through my
mind rapidly. impressi,ely, coherently.
My soul was like one Of those structures
of the old time, through which, as the
legends record, spectres fed gibberiug
to and fro in the silence and solemnity
Of midnight! Thoughts animate with
terrible pain, and fred with moro than
mortal inspiration flashed through my
brain as ligh:nings fash through the
clouds Of heaven!


All too soon the sun and the shadows on
were lost to view, and, with faint effort
to wall out my despair, sank into the
water, From this point Of time my sen
sations were of the most vague, confused
and dreamy character. seemed to for,
get that / was wandering, helpless,
through a tide of death. The accident
by which | was plunged beneath the ice
was forgotten; and even the conscious
ness Of identity which c'ings to US with
the tcnacty of life itself, was lost in a
multitude of grim and ghastly fancies. -
But in all this bewilderment of ideas and
associations, one sentiment was supreme,
and that was horror!


Another transition in my experience
might have brought me to that mental
Beulah which is so pleasantly described
By men who have been rescued from
drowning; but was not destined to reach
that happy land. While sinking into
what l conceived to be that awful blank
ness of mind which is connected with the
final stsuggle with death, my foot struck
against the ground, and my head emer-
ged from the water. Salvation had come
to me at last! A hundred yards below
the spot where l had made the plunge,
the river was shallow, and the ice at the
particular place where my deliverance
had been effected, had been cut away a
few hours before. will not detain you
by recital Of the agonies endured in
coming to life supposed myself to be
separated forever. Suffice it to say /
was seen from the shore and help came.
Let no one tell me hereafter that tho pro.