BURIED ALIVE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2581, 26 January 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

BURIED ALIVE.

Ok all the most painful forms in which death can visit a human being there can be little doubt tho one implied by the words buried alive" is by far the most terrible. The details recently received from Russia in reference to the fatal consequences of a premature interment are rendered all the more horrible when it is stated that the awful occurrence, was very largely contributed by the superstitious belief of the unfortunate creature's relatives. The wife of a peasant, who had been ailina for some considerable time, apparently succumbed to the disease from which she was suffering, and arrangements were made for her interment. When the colli n was lowered, however, and the earth was being replaced, the gravedig-ger was startled by piteous cries for help from the grave. Instead of at once giving assistance, he redoubled his efforts to fill up the grave, thinking that the cries wore proceeding from some evil spirit. Tho work having been completed the gravedigger left the burial ground and communicated what had happened to the friends of the deseased, who seemed to share the same supertitious igorance. It was finally resolved that an evil spirit had taken possession of their friend, and, in order to counteract the consequences of such a visitation, it was further resolved that the body should be disinterred and an aspeii stake driven through it. When the matter was reported to an official of the district, he at once ordered the body to be disinterred in order to see if tho unfortunate woman was living, but little examination was required to showthat life had long since fled. There were however, unmistakable signs to show that the woman had made frantic exertions to escape. _____