Year: 1877

the SaviOr-Talixs with


Departed Relatives.


The following letter, bearing the
signature of reputable person, the
facts herein narrated being also
vouched for by prominent residents
of the place, was printed in the
Green County Reformer, of Monroe,
Wisconsin, of a recent date:


At the earnest request of Nellie
Blackford and her parents l shall
endeavor to inform the public of
the strange and miraculous restora-
tion of the life and health OF this
little suffering girl. Nellie is IS
years old, aad never has been ro-
bust child, and eight weeks ago
her mother (who is suffering with
consumption became dangerously
i'll, and Nellie. thinking her mother
was dying, left ner and ran for
neighboring lady. They. started
back for Mrs Blackford's, and Mel
lie was in such q hurry that she
caught up the three year old child
of the neighbor's while the lady
was ahead with the baby, and did
not know that Nellie was running
for life with that large child. When
she did see her, she stopped and
exchanged burdens. Nellie also
ran for another neighbor, and by
the time she had run over two
miles she arrived at home complete
ly exhausted, and thus commenced
the dreadful suffering of Nellie.
She has been very i'll for eight
weeks suffering almost constantly.


She was attended at first By DR..
Richter and improved quite rapid
ly except pain in the spine.


Feeling better she quit taking
medicine. Was still so weak that
walking seemed an impossibility;
but Nellie felt such a desire to walk
unassisted that Friday, March 81.
she ventured; but the exertion
proved too much, and falling to the
floor she injured her spine in en-
deavoring to save herself, and went
into a violent fit, taking the form
of epilepsy, lasting two hours. The
next day had another much more
violent that lasted half an hour.
The frail form could scarcely be
held by strong persons. DR.. Rood
was called; she continued to grow
weak, but had no return of convul
sions. Three days after the first
commissions. both upper and lower
extreinities were paralyzed. She
continued in this helpless condition
until Sabbath. DR.. Rood called
and said she could not live till
morning, and that no human power
could save her. Nevertheless, slfe
did live, aud during Monday fore
noon laid in the same condition,
perfectly quiet and conscious,
yet unable to articulate, except in
the gentlest whispers. Her mind
had been perfectly clear during all
her illness. The least eXertion,
even the taking of spoonful of
water, would cause her to sink away
till the pulsation of the heart could
not be noticed, nor could any pulse
be discovered in the wrist. They
turned her gently on the sheet, and
that would cause the sinking spells
Her wish was to leave her life
OF pain, die and live with God and
the angels ere her dear afflicted
mother left her helpless orphan.


On Monday afternoon the friends
and ncigh0ols assembled to sec her
die. About 2 o'clock she sank
away, growing weaker till about ).
Her extre mites became very cold,
and thought her gently and happily
passing "over the river" All at
once a change passed over her feat
ures, sweet smile Illumined her
countenance, and the most intense
delight POI trayed and fingered on
her face till it fairly shone. Words
fail me to express the happine SIS
and contentment and glory there
depicted. A continual change
seemed passing over her quiet face,
all telling of something bright and
beatiuful passing before her en-
raptured eyes. All at once to the
astonishment of all, she raised acI
little hands in the attitude of listen
ing intently, changing her position
continually ard seeming to listen
with all the power of her being
She continued in this state foi
nearly three hours, seeming perfect
| ly unconscious Of all surrounding
objects and sounds, She seemed to
gently rouse from this condition
She opened her eyes, and seeing her
mother standing near, a sweet and
heavenly smile passed over her face
Her mother stopped and asked lIeI
If she had heard sweet music. Mel
lie had spoken before of hearin
music when in her sinking spells


And now comes tine strange and
miraculous part of the story OF this
little daughter of afiliction rs re-
lated to me by herself.


Il seemed as though | was walk
ing through pleasant country TIL
l came to a place that surely was