24 June 2009

Distressing Death - and a Warning

There are no accidents in Hillsborough in 1835, only tragic consequences of sinful behavior! Read this 1835 newspaper story - especially the last line.
 
Distressing Death. - A melancholy occurrence took place on Wednesday the 4th inst. at a coal pit belonging to Mr. Henry Young, in the vicinity of Rock Mills, Sourland Mountains, 6 or 7 miles north of Princeton, New Jersey.
 

The particulars are briefly as follows: While one of the hands, a young man named John Hinckle, was lying asleep in the shed attached to the coal pit, the shed took fire, and was instantly enveloped in flames. Another of the hands at a short distance, perceiving the fire, ran to the assistance of the unfortunate man, waked him from his perilous slumber, who walked through the devouring element, being literally on fire. His clothing was almost consumed on him, and himself shockingly burnt. He suffered inexpressible agonies until the following Sunday, when death released him from his bodily pains. He is said to have presented a spectacle revolting to the feelings, and of inconceivable misery. It is also asserted that he was in a state of intoxication at the time he was burnt. An awful warning to the intemperate.

[Albany, NY Evening Journal, 2 February 1835]

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