CLINGING TO THE CLAY.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 11, 15 December 1877, Page 3

CLINGING TO THE CLAY.

(From the Dayton (O.), Journal) A most extraordinary case of suspended animation recently occurred in Shelby County, about thirty miles from Dayton. An old woman in whom the lamp of life was flickering—ready to expire at the faintest breath—was the subject, yet her little spark of life clung to her aged frame with a tenacity that was remarkable. Her name was Mary Slaughter ; she was in hor eighty-eight year, and was one of the old settlers of that portion of the State. With the increase of years she became weak and childish, and at times would remain weeks in an unconscious state, taking no sustenance, and scarcely moving to show that she -was still living. For several years the old lady lived with her -daughter, Mrs. John Isonberger, on the Yellow Springs Road, about three miles from the city. Some months ago, howsever, she -went to live with another daughter, Mrs. Henry Johnson, in Shelby County. Here the old lady lived quietly until ten days ago, when she sustained a fall, the injuries of which confined her to her house, and presently she went into one cf those unconscious states, sinking rapidly every day. No bruises could be discovered from the fall, and she did nut appear to bo in pain. Nourishment could not be given her, and the physician stated that she was dying of old age and general helplessness, and that nothing could be done for her.

Thursday of last week hardly any life was perceptible, then suddenly she appeared to revive; her eyes brightened, and the muscles were able to myve. It was only temporary. The family gathered about the old lady as the change came, and they could see it suddenly puss away like a shadow. A dull rattle seemed to come from the stomach, and, rising further i'rom the chest, issued from her throat; then she lay perfectly still again. Her limbs and body grew cold, and every sign of life and breath departed, and the family, assured of her <!eath, sent the next day to Carlisle for a coffin, and notified her relatives.

A hearse containing a coffin arrived from Carlisle on Friday afternoon. But •to the surprise of friends and assembled relatives of the supposed decease I, and to the undertaker himself, the corpse he had come for was no longer a corpse, but was returning once more to life. No ice had been placed about the body wdien at first it had been believed she was dead, 'thinking, perhaps, that life might not be oxtinct; afterward this was forgotten. The watchers, who sat all Thursday night with a cold corpse, hud on Friday night a warm body, with the blood apparently in good circulation. Friday, toward midnight, they f' und the eyes of the. corpse of tlie nighc previous wide open, lo( *ing it them, and conscious of what was gomg on altout her, though ■she was unable to speak or move. The physician was summoned by the family, and every effort exhausted to sustain life.

This appeared impossible, and it again •disappeared. At three o'clock Saturday morning there were no symptoms of life, and the physicians pronounced her dead. This was sustained by the fact that the body had begun to motify, and it was 'evident could i>ot long be preserved. It had Tjecn the desire of the old lady and children that she should be buried at Stringtown, a Rmall village, three miles ■from Carlisle, Where some of her children lived. So the body was taken there for interment, arriving at night. Before the burial her relatives at Springtown, who had not seen the old lady since her death, wished to take a parting glance at her. The coffin was opened, and the smell of mortification was almost too strong to be endured. But those who looked were astonished by the appearance of the eyelids, which appeared to quiver, though they did not open. The body was found to be again warm and the heart boating. The funeral was postponed, but the warmth passed shortly from the body, and its death benm': apparent, while the odor of putrlfoction was not to be rest rained. Sunday there was no change •or any indication of life, and in the afternoon it was decided to bury the corpse. A funeral sermon was preached, but the body had to be left outside tho church, owing to the strong odor, and at three o'clock the same day it was placed in the grave prepared for it. The knowledge of these facts caused the deepest Interest in the neighbourhood, and the details as above related were given to a reporter of the journal by iLrs. Isonberger herself.