The Silver State

Nearly Buried Alive.

A Portland, Oregon, dispatch of recent date says that Mrs. Mary S. Albertson, a young widow on Columbia slough, near Portland, has revived from a death trance, during which she came near being buried alive. Sometime since Mrs. Albertson was seized with typhoid fever. She appeared to be recovering, but two weeks ago she took a relapse and on July 27th was apparently dead. Preparations were made to bury her on the 29th, but as she was being placed in the casket the corpse like rigidity left her and her body became as limp as in life. The funeral ceremonies were at once postponed.

A week ago today noon, while Frank Thurmas and William Olsen were gazing upon Mrs. Albertson, who had been taken out of the casket and placed back on her bed, they saw a healthy color coming to her face. Shortly after that her finger slightly moved, but her eyes remained closed.

Dr. Vernon, who had been waiting on the woman, was summoned. He thoughtfully brought a galvanic battery with him which he at once used. In a minute Mrs. Albertson moved her right arm, and pressing her hand to her brow she gave a low moan. The battery was again applied and so for every hour or two.

The last application of the battery was made at 3 o'clock Monday morning when Mrs. Albertson opened her eyes and spoke in a weak voice. Restoratives were close at hand and the battery was kept in operation for another half hour, when Mrs. Albertson without assistance sat upright in bed.

The occurrences of the preceding week were a perfect blank to her, excepting the placing of her body in the casket. She claims to have been conscious that she was to be buried alive, but was unable to give any sign to escape from that horrible fate.