A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9151, 5 September 1888, Page 5

A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

THE BODY OF CAPTAIN BAILEY. ATTEMPT MADE TO RESUSCITATE IT. [by TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] New Plymouth, Tuesday. Ax extraordinary occurrence is reported in connection with the body of Captain Bailey who was drowned at Wellington Heads on Thursday last. The body reached Waitara, by train from Wellington last evening at five p.m., and was taken to deceased's residence. Father Cassidy, Mr. Dickey, .schoolmaster, and some others were present on its arrival, and it was decided to open the coffin, which was enclosed in a hermetically sealed case. When the outer case was opened, Air. Dickey looked through the glass in the coffin lid. and uttered an exclamation of horror. Father fassidy also looked, and he states that, lie -aw the eyes of deceased open «nd shut several ames. Mr. Dickey also declares that he saw the eyes open and shut. The eoiii.i wr,?. at once opened, the body was taken out, and an attempt made to re- animate the corpse by every means. Meantime, Dr. Bhmden was sent for, but being away from home, his aid could not be procured for several hours later. The means for resuscitation were kept up for over an hour, but without success, and when Dr. Bladen arrived he pronounced life to be extinct, although he admitted that the body had an unusually life-like appearance, especially considering that deceased had been drowned live days previously. Deceased was buried this afternoon at Waitara with Masonic honours.