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Have you ever heard a camel talk? You probably have but did not know you were hearing a camel talking. Have you ever watched a Star Wars movie? Then you have definitely heard a camel talking. There is a character in the movies that comes across as the strong silent type. He rarely talks but when he does you think he is impatient with the person to whom he is speaking. It is a voice we have learned to love and recognize, the voice of Chewbacca.
Chewbacca’s voice is taken from the sociable and communicative camel. They are known for being grouchy, biting, spitting and because they have really flexible legs can kick from any direction. They are mostly known for their humps. There are one hump camels called Dromedary and two hump camels called the Bactrian. There are several well-known animals that are related to them or that they are related to such as the Vicuna’s of South America, the Llamas, and the Alpacas.
For years it has been thought that the humps stored water, but it has come to light that the hump is made of fat that can be reused as food or water as needed. The belief that the hump was water came from the fact that camels can consume 53 gallons of water in three minutes and can go for six to seven months without food or water. The hump releases 9.3 grams. of fat which turns to 1.13 grams of water. The hump will slump when the fat reservoir is close to depletion similar to the slump of a whale fin in captivity.
Camels have several amazing features; one being the use of two rows of eyelashes to protect their eyes, three eyelids to adapt their eyes to their environment, the ability to close their nostrils from dust and sand, noses that can act both as dehumidifiers and humidifiers to minimize water loss through breathing and extremely strong small hairy ears..
Have you ever noticed how similar a rabbit nose and a camel’s nose appear?
Fully grown a camel can be 10 feet tall, depending on the type of camel, which dwarfs most men. They weigh 1,320 pounds to 2,200 pounds, and can carry 375 to 600 pounds on their backs. They have a life span of forty to fifty years.
Camels have thick coats that protect them from the sun, their fur insulates them so their bodies can absorb their sweat. Their hide is very strong, with a pulling strength 5x greater than cattle hide.
Camels can keep a constant speed of 25-45 mph and with a little prodding they can do short bursts up to 65 mph. Camels are amazing animals.
They normally have single births but do on occasion give birth to twins. They are pregnant for twelve to fourteen months. They have rich milk and the fact they are born with their eyes open enables the calf to run within a few hours of birth.
Contrary to popular belief camels do not always live in warm climates. With their reflective fur systems, they can survive in the snow-covered mountains and in the hot deserts. The Bactrian camels come from Mongolia which gets colder in the winter months.
The word camel is the Arabic word “jamaal” which means beauty. The camel communicates with the beautiful sounds of moans, groans and deep bellowing. They were granted the name Ships of the Desert because of their wide balls of fat which consists of two toes called feet.
Next time, you see Chewbacca in a movie, remember he speaking camel.
Chewbacca’s voice is taken from the sociable and communicative camel. They are known for being grouchy, biting, spitting and because they have really flexible legs can kick from any direction. They are mostly known for their humps. There are one hump camels called Dromedary and two hump camels called the Bactrian. There are several well-known animals that are related to them or that they are related to such as the Vicuna’s of South America, the Llamas, and the Alpacas.
For years it has been thought that the humps stored water, but it has come to light that the hump is made of fat that can be reused as food or water as needed. The belief that the hump was water came from the fact that camels can consume 53 gallons of water in three minutes and can go for six to seven months without food or water. The hump releases 9.3 grams. of fat which turns to 1.13 grams of water. The hump will slump when the fat reservoir is close to depletion similar to the slump of a whale fin in captivity.
Camels have several amazing features; one being the use of two rows of eyelashes to protect their eyes, three eyelids to adapt their eyes to their environment, the ability to close their nostrils from dust and sand, noses that can act both as dehumidifiers and humidifiers to minimize water loss through breathing and extremely strong small hairy ears..
Have you ever noticed how similar a rabbit nose and a camel’s nose appear?
Fully grown a camel can be 10 feet tall, depending on the type of camel, which dwarfs most men. They weigh 1,320 pounds to 2,200 pounds, and can carry 375 to 600 pounds on their backs. They have a life span of forty to fifty years.
Camels have thick coats that protect them from the sun, their fur insulates them so their bodies can absorb their sweat. Their hide is very strong, with a pulling strength 5x greater than cattle hide.
Camels can keep a constant speed of 25-45 mph and with a little prodding they can do short bursts up to 65 mph. Camels are amazing animals.
They normally have single births but do on occasion give birth to twins. They are pregnant for twelve to fourteen months. They have rich milk and the fact they are born with their eyes open enables the calf to run within a few hours of birth.
Contrary to popular belief camels do not always live in warm climates. With their reflective fur systems, they can survive in the snow-covered mountains and in the hot deserts. The Bactrian camels come from Mongolia which gets colder in the winter months.
The word camel is the Arabic word “jamaal” which means beauty. The camel communicates with the beautiful sounds of moans, groans and deep bellowing. They were granted the name Ships of the Desert because of their wide balls of fat which consists of two toes called feet.
Next time, you see Chewbacca in a movie, remember he speaking camel.
Ambassadresses of Peace and Change
Copyright 2019 Canita Prough (Canita Pro)
Among the Native Americans there are several Ambassadresses of peace and change.
spinning, weaving and animal husbandry to her people.
Lewis and Clark Expedition.
and Whites.
Each of these Ambassadresses stories are fascinating, heroic and encouraging to us in our fast-paced, ever changing world.
Most of us have heard the stories of Pocahontas and Sacajawea thanks to history lessons in school and Disney. Although, it is the story of Nanyehi (Nan-yay-hee) or Nancy Ward in which I would like to make you more aware. Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy a musical called “Nanyehi” which told the story of this brave and resourceful Beloved Woman of the Cherokee.
Nanyehi is also known as Wild Rose, Nancy Ward and Granny Ward, each representing different times of her life. She holds the titles of Beloved Woman, War Woman (Agi-ga-u-e), Ghigau (Ghi-ga-u), negotiator and Ambassador.
Nanyehi was born sometime in 1738 in Chota (city of refuge) Monroe County, Tennessee. Her name means “one who goes about.” She was born to Skayagustuegwo, Fivekiller, the Raven of the Delaware-Lenni Lenap warrior and Tame Doe of the Cherokee Wolf clan. In her childhood The Nunnehi told her she would be a part of two worlds.
Nanyehi in turn teaches these trades to her people bring prosperity to the clan. She is described as queenly and commanding by those who met her during this time in her life. She becomes the leader of the Women’s Council as Ambassador and negotiator for her people. When the French and Indian War (1754-1763) began she warned the Whites several times of impending danger from her people and the French.
Nanyehi-Ambassador
These brave Ambassadresses helped to improve the world in which they lived and presented a way to peace for the future.
Nanyehi-The MusicalThe Musical “Nanyehi” was co-written by Becky Hobbs and Nick Sweet.
Becky Hobbs is the fifth great granddaughter of Nanyehi. She is a renowned song writer with hits such as “Jones on the Jukebox,” “Honky Tonk Saturday Night,” and “Let’s Get Over Them Together.” Her husband, Duane Sciacqua, accompanied her on guitar. He has been featured on numerous soundtracks. Nick Sweet is a freelance stage director who has directed over 135 productions in Oklahoma, Texas, Alaska and Georgia.
For more historical information about Nancy Ward please visit www.nancyward.org. or for more information on the musical contact www.nanyehi.com.
This musical is three hours long, but it is so enthralling that it seems a short time. This musical is well worth the effort to see and hear.
Among the Native Americans there are several Ambassadresses of peace and change.
- Pocahontas (Me’toa’ka) 1597-1617 of the Powhattan people
- Nancy Ward (Nan-yeh-i) 1738-1822 of the Cherokee people.
spinning, weaving and animal husbandry to her people.
- Sacajawea (Tsi-ki-ka-wi-as) 1790-1884 of the Shoshoni people
Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Sarah Winnemucca (Thoc-me-tony) 1884-1920 of the Paiute people
and Whites.
Each of these Ambassadresses stories are fascinating, heroic and encouraging to us in our fast-paced, ever changing world.
Most of us have heard the stories of Pocahontas and Sacajawea thanks to history lessons in school and Disney. Although, it is the story of Nanyehi (Nan-yay-hee) or Nancy Ward in which I would like to make you more aware. Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy a musical called “Nanyehi” which told the story of this brave and resourceful Beloved Woman of the Cherokee.
Nanyehi is also known as Wild Rose, Nancy Ward and Granny Ward, each representing different times of her life. She holds the titles of Beloved Woman, War Woman (Agi-ga-u-e), Ghigau (Ghi-ga-u), negotiator and Ambassador.
Nanyehi was born sometime in 1738 in Chota (city of refuge) Monroe County, Tennessee. Her name means “one who goes about.” She was born to Skayagustuegwo, Fivekiller, the Raven of the Delaware-Lenni Lenap warrior and Tame Doe of the Cherokee Wolf clan. In her childhood The Nunnehi told her she would be a part of two worlds.
- 1751 she married Red Fox Chutlow Kingfisher (Tsu-la) of the Cherokee Deer clan who was a noted war leader.
- 1752 a daughter is born to them that they name Ka-Ti.
- 1755 She gave birth to their son Fivekiller, Littlefellow (Hi-s-ki-ti-hi).
- In the same year as the birth of her son, 1755, the Battle of Tail’wa took place between the Muskogee/Creek and the Cherokee. Nanyehi and Kingfisher were a part of that battle. Nanyehi chewed the bullets for her husband to make them jagged giving them edges where they would do more damage. Kingfisher was mortally wounded. She immediately picked up his rifle and continued shooting leading her people to victory. For this heroic act she was awarded the title of Ghigau at the age of eighteen. This title made her responsible for the fate of the people captured.
- 1756 Nanyehi married an Irish Trader by the name of Bryant Ward.
- 1757 a daughter is born to Nanyehi and Bryant Ward they name her Elizabeth.
Nanyehi in turn teaches these trades to her people bring prosperity to the clan. She is described as queenly and commanding by those who met her during this time in her life. She becomes the leader of the Women’s Council as Ambassador and negotiator for her people. When the French and Indian War (1754-1763) began she warned the Whites several times of impending danger from her people and the French.
Nanyehi-Ambassador
- 1760 With the French and Indian War (1754-1763) raging Bryant Ward returns to South Carolina to his English wife. When the War is over Bryant shares his time between his two wives with each having knowledge of the other. In 1815 Bryant dies.
- 1774-Meli Ward
- 1775-William S. Taylor
These brave Ambassadresses helped to improve the world in which they lived and presented a way to peace for the future.
Nanyehi-The MusicalThe Musical “Nanyehi” was co-written by Becky Hobbs and Nick Sweet.
Becky Hobbs is the fifth great granddaughter of Nanyehi. She is a renowned song writer with hits such as “Jones on the Jukebox,” “Honky Tonk Saturday Night,” and “Let’s Get Over Them Together.” Her husband, Duane Sciacqua, accompanied her on guitar. He has been featured on numerous soundtracks. Nick Sweet is a freelance stage director who has directed over 135 productions in Oklahoma, Texas, Alaska and Georgia.
For more historical information about Nancy Ward please visit www.nancyward.org. or for more information on the musical contact www.nanyehi.com.
This musical is three hours long, but it is so enthralling that it seems a short time. This musical is well worth the effort to see and hear.
In 2009 during a guided tour in the Denali National Forest a question was presented to me "Why was the per acre amount in the purchase of Alaska a fraction?" After much research this is my findings.
Explosion of Ice Businesses
From 1851 to 1913 there was an explosion of businesses making ice. The California gold rush (1849–1855) and a rising economy made a demand for luxuries such as ice. Nevada Ice Company by M. Tallman in Pilot Creek, Calif., Sitka Ice Company, Summit Ice Company by Fitz William Reddings Jr. and B. B. Reddings, of railroad fame, in Serne Lake, Calif. and the most famous American-Russian Commercial Company or to the Russians, The Russian-American Company in Sitka and Kodiak, Alaska.
The American-Russian Commercial Company
The American-Russian Commercial Company was founded by San Francisco Entrepreneurs and Siberian Merchants in 1851. It was founded to supply San Francisco with ice. This company existed as the American-Russian Commercial Company until 1867 when Alaska was purchased by theUnited States. The name was changed to The Kodiak Ice Company and it continued with that name until it’s liquidation in 1881.
1867 Russian Ice House
In 1851 the Russians constructed a large ice house in Sitka and began selling ice which eventually dominated the trade in the Russian territory of Alaska. This ice block house was disassembled and preserved in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1867. It is now the property of the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska.
From 1851 to 1913 there was an explosion of businesses making ice. The California gold rush (1849–1855) and a rising economy made a demand for luxuries such as ice. Nevada Ice Company by M. Tallman in Pilot Creek, Calif., Sitka Ice Company, Summit Ice Company by Fitz William Reddings Jr. and B. B. Reddings, of railroad fame, in Serne Lake, Calif. and the most famous American-Russian Commercial Company or to the Russians, The Russian-American Company in Sitka and Kodiak, Alaska.
The American-Russian Commercial Company
The American-Russian Commercial Company was founded by San Francisco Entrepreneurs and Siberian Merchants in 1851. It was founded to supply San Francisco with ice. This company existed as the American-Russian Commercial Company until 1867 when Alaska was purchased by theUnited States. The name was changed to The Kodiak Ice Company and it continued with that name until it’s liquidation in 1881.
1867 Russian Ice House
In 1851 the Russians constructed a large ice house in Sitka and began selling ice which eventually dominated the trade in the Russian territory of Alaska. This ice block house was disassembled and preserved in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1867. It is now the property of the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Creating Ice Blocks
To create the ice blocks, Tanignak Lake on Kodiak Island was dammed to increase its depth. The Aleutian’s were trained to harvest the ice. Captain David B. Walker was the superintendent of this work. During the winter months the operation was moved to Sitka where the Tlingit’s worked the ice.
Harvesting the ice consisted of a horse harnessed to an iron sled. This sled was made with two runners: one was smooth, the other was saw-toothed. The saw-toothed runner would cut a two-inch gouge into the ice. To keep the ice blocks, uniform the horses and sled were drawn across the ice in a checkerboard formation making it possible to separate the ice with a single blow. In Sitka the ice blocks were stacked on top of each other, hauled over wood rails to the harbor where they were then loaded onto ships heading to San Francisco, Calif. Over the years 1851 to 1867 over 10,000 tons of ice were shipped south.
1867 United States
In 1867 United States many exciting things were happening. Nebraska became the 37th state to the Union. Gold was found in the Stikine River in Alaska. The invention of the first commercial refrigerator took place in 1854. Commercial freezers were in use 40 years before the first refrigerator for the home became available in 1913. One of the biggest happening during this time was the purchase of the Russian territory of Alaska on March 30, 1867 for 586,412 square miles or 1,518,800 km at the price of 7.2 million dollars in gold.
Purchase of the Alaskan Territory
This purchase was given many names such as: “WalRussia,” “Icebergia,” “Polaria,” “Polar bear garden” or the well-known name “Seward’s Ice Box.”
Russia had offered the Alaskan territory to the United States several times. Just prior to the Civil War (1861-1865) they offered to sell the Alaskan territory to the United States for 5 million dollars. The Civil War broke out and all talks were stopped. In 1866 William H. Seward, Secretary of State, to President Abraham Lincoln was sent in response to another offer by Russia to sell. Russia was in dire financial trouble; the ice trade was falling as more refrigeration become available and the Russian’s felt the Alaskan territory had no natural resources. With the rumors of gold and the military vulnerability to the north talks began again on the purchase of the Alaska. This time the price was 7.2 million dollars for the 586,412 acres. The exchange rate in 1861 between the American dollar and the Russian rubles was 4.9 to $1.00. (closest found documented rate)
7.2 million dollar equals 1,469,387.7551 rubles
7.2 million divided by 586,412 sq. mile equals 1.22780570657 cents
per acre
7.2 million divided by 1,518,800 km equals 4.74058467211 cents
per acre
Why the fractional percent per acre?
The question arises why such an odd amount per acre? Why not exactly 1 cent per acre or 5.0 per km? While visiting the Denali National Forest in Sitka, Alaska in 2009 the tour guide suggested that the odd amounts were due to the purchase of an ice contract. The 1983 translation of the Russian document “Acta Slavica Iaponica 1:15-37” by James R. Gibson states “The Russian-American Company received the compensation for the loss of territory in the amount of 6,526.666 rubles.” The Russian-American Company was an ice company.
To create the ice blocks, Tanignak Lake on Kodiak Island was dammed to increase its depth. The Aleutian’s were trained to harvest the ice. Captain David B. Walker was the superintendent of this work. During the winter months the operation was moved to Sitka where the Tlingit’s worked the ice.
Harvesting the ice consisted of a horse harnessed to an iron sled. This sled was made with two runners: one was smooth, the other was saw-toothed. The saw-toothed runner would cut a two-inch gouge into the ice. To keep the ice blocks, uniform the horses and sled were drawn across the ice in a checkerboard formation making it possible to separate the ice with a single blow. In Sitka the ice blocks were stacked on top of each other, hauled over wood rails to the harbor where they were then loaded onto ships heading to San Francisco, Calif. Over the years 1851 to 1867 over 10,000 tons of ice were shipped south.
1867 United States
In 1867 United States many exciting things were happening. Nebraska became the 37th state to the Union. Gold was found in the Stikine River in Alaska. The invention of the first commercial refrigerator took place in 1854. Commercial freezers were in use 40 years before the first refrigerator for the home became available in 1913. One of the biggest happening during this time was the purchase of the Russian territory of Alaska on March 30, 1867 for 586,412 square miles or 1,518,800 km at the price of 7.2 million dollars in gold.
Purchase of the Alaskan Territory
This purchase was given many names such as: “WalRussia,” “Icebergia,” “Polaria,” “Polar bear garden” or the well-known name “Seward’s Ice Box.”
Russia had offered the Alaskan territory to the United States several times. Just prior to the Civil War (1861-1865) they offered to sell the Alaskan territory to the United States for 5 million dollars. The Civil War broke out and all talks were stopped. In 1866 William H. Seward, Secretary of State, to President Abraham Lincoln was sent in response to another offer by Russia to sell. Russia was in dire financial trouble; the ice trade was falling as more refrigeration become available and the Russian’s felt the Alaskan territory had no natural resources. With the rumors of gold and the military vulnerability to the north talks began again on the purchase of the Alaska. This time the price was 7.2 million dollars for the 586,412 acres. The exchange rate in 1861 between the American dollar and the Russian rubles was 4.9 to $1.00. (closest found documented rate)
7.2 million dollar equals 1,469,387.7551 rubles
7.2 million divided by 586,412 sq. mile equals 1.22780570657 cents
per acre
7.2 million divided by 1,518,800 km equals 4.74058467211 cents
per acre
Why the fractional percent per acre?
The question arises why such an odd amount per acre? Why not exactly 1 cent per acre or 5.0 per km? While visiting the Denali National Forest in Sitka, Alaska in 2009 the tour guide suggested that the odd amounts were due to the purchase of an ice contract. The 1983 translation of the Russian document “Acta Slavica Iaponica 1:15-37” by James R. Gibson states “The Russian-American Company received the compensation for the loss of territory in the amount of 6,526.666 rubles.” The Russian-American Company was an ice company.
Seward's Ice Box
We know now looking back on history that the purchase of Alaska was of great benefit to the United States with the gold and oil. There is no condemnation felt now that would bring on names such as: “Polar Bear garden,” “WalRussia,” “Polaria,” “Icebergia” or “Seward’s Ice Box.” We do know now that “Seward’s Ice Box” was referring to the compensation for the loss of territory to an ice company.
We know now looking back on history that the purchase of Alaska was of great benefit to the United States with the gold and oil. There is no condemnation felt now that would bring on names such as: “Polar Bear garden,” “WalRussia,” “Polaria,” “Icebergia” or “Seward’s Ice Box.” We do know now that “Seward’s Ice Box” was referring to the compensation for the loss of territory to an ice company.
Poe and Hitchcock Copyright Canita Prough (Canita Pro) 2019
Fear has motivated some well-known creative people such as Edgar Allan Poe and Alfred Hitchcock. This is a fictitious story about being buried alive and how fear motivated these two famous writers.
1861 Baltimore, Maryland
The year is 1861, the place is Baltimore, Maryland. You are riding along on your favorite horse, a Plantation horse. Her name is Dancer. She is prancing along beautifully on this lovely fall day. There is a light breeze which is causing her mane and long, silky tail to fan out like a feather. She is enjoying the walk as much as you are. She lets out an occasional snort and clears her nostrils. You have the road to yourselves.
Your thoughts are on the beautiful colors of the fall leaves. Then a sound interrupts your thoughts. It is the rattle of a rattlesnake. There on the road just ahead of you is a rattlesnake coiled basking in the warmth of the sun. Dancer hears the rattle before you. She begins prancing quickly, shifting from side to side. There is another rattle and then a hiss. The snake uncoils and begins dancing in the air. Dancer goes up on her hind legs waving her front hooves furiously in the air. You lose your hold and realize you are falling.
Confinement
The next thought of consciousness is that it is really dark. I consciously think do I have my eyes open? I close and open them again. Have I laid here on the road until darkness has descended? I have trouble breathing. The air smells musty. Did I hurt myself when I fell? Then why do I feel no pain? I then try to stretch out and find I cannot move. My elbows are confined. My hands move up and down my body, but not away from my body. It seems I am in a box. Then it comes to me. Is it possible that I have been buried?! That my greatest fear has been realized! Could the fall from the horse have caused me to appear dead? Panic sets in, I begin beating with the back of my hand on the box, I try twisting frantically, but to not avail. I try to scream, but I could not draw enough breath. I began to pray that my wife, bless her soul, had done as I had asked. That she purchased one of those Bateson Belfry coffins to bury me in. The Batson Belfry coffin has a hole with a cord that runs to an attached iron bell mounted above the grave. The cord should be in my hand, but I cannot feel it. I cannot move enough to really search. Is there a weight on my chest? My heart is pounding so hard I can only feel its movement. If my wife, God bless her soul, did not do as I asked then I am doomed! I must calm myself and feel from the rope. Ah, there it is! I feel so cold. Now, to get a good enough grip to ring the bell. There I hear a faint chime. Will anyone be listening? How long have I been here? How long will I have to stay here? I can feel some cool air on my neck so surely there is air getting in here so I can breathe. I should be in the graveyard near the church and the monastery. How long must I ring this bell? My hand is getting tired, but I must not quit! For only the constant ringing will draw attention. My hand is sore and tired. Will anyone hear me? I will surely die of starvation, thirst or my heart will fail me if they do not come soon. All of that extra cost to my poor wife, bless her soul, and I die anyway because no one hears the bell.
Do I hear something? The ground is shaking like a herd of horses are running over me. Is that a voice I hear yelling? Is that scraping? Am I hearing things because I want them so badly? No, it continues. Do I dare to hope? Yes, it continues. Should I quit ringing this bell? I will not until I am sure. I hear voices they are getting stronger, louder. Surely, I am not mistaken. Yes, yes, I can hear them now. “We are coming as fast as we can!” The scratching seems louder. I will stop ringing the bell now. They are on their way. Is that a faint light I see around the cord? Yes, they are starting to lift the coffin. I feel the tears streaming down my face. They are breaking the seal. I am so weak I wonder if I can get out of this thing. There I see light. There is Brother John and Brother Andrew. I try to lift my hand and I cannot. They are lifting me from the coffin. “Thank you!” “Thank you!” I whisper. Brother Peter leans in close to hear what I am saying. He is saying “Thank you!” They lay me on the cold ground and begin wrapping me in blankets. I take a big gulp of air and begin to cough. They bring me water; I take a small sip and begin to cough again. They move me over to a blanket and carry me to the monastery.
Life 380 BC to 1925
This is bizarre, but it is what people from 380 BC to 1925 thought could happen. Often when dreaded disease like cholera broke out, because the disease spread so quickly people would die and be buried without a doctor examining them. The stethoscope was invented in 1816 in Paris, France, but it would be many years later before it would arrive in American.
1861 Baltimore, Maryland
The year is 1861, the place is Baltimore, Maryland. You are riding along on your favorite horse, a Plantation horse. Her name is Dancer. She is prancing along beautifully on this lovely fall day. There is a light breeze which is causing her mane and long, silky tail to fan out like a feather. She is enjoying the walk as much as you are. She lets out an occasional snort and clears her nostrils. You have the road to yourselves.
Your thoughts are on the beautiful colors of the fall leaves. Then a sound interrupts your thoughts. It is the rattle of a rattlesnake. There on the road just ahead of you is a rattlesnake coiled basking in the warmth of the sun. Dancer hears the rattle before you. She begins prancing quickly, shifting from side to side. There is another rattle and then a hiss. The snake uncoils and begins dancing in the air. Dancer goes up on her hind legs waving her front hooves furiously in the air. You lose your hold and realize you are falling.
Confinement
The next thought of consciousness is that it is really dark. I consciously think do I have my eyes open? I close and open them again. Have I laid here on the road until darkness has descended? I have trouble breathing. The air smells musty. Did I hurt myself when I fell? Then why do I feel no pain? I then try to stretch out and find I cannot move. My elbows are confined. My hands move up and down my body, but not away from my body. It seems I am in a box. Then it comes to me. Is it possible that I have been buried?! That my greatest fear has been realized! Could the fall from the horse have caused me to appear dead? Panic sets in, I begin beating with the back of my hand on the box, I try twisting frantically, but to not avail. I try to scream, but I could not draw enough breath. I began to pray that my wife, bless her soul, had done as I had asked. That she purchased one of those Bateson Belfry coffins to bury me in. The Batson Belfry coffin has a hole with a cord that runs to an attached iron bell mounted above the grave. The cord should be in my hand, but I cannot feel it. I cannot move enough to really search. Is there a weight on my chest? My heart is pounding so hard I can only feel its movement. If my wife, God bless her soul, did not do as I asked then I am doomed! I must calm myself and feel from the rope. Ah, there it is! I feel so cold. Now, to get a good enough grip to ring the bell. There I hear a faint chime. Will anyone be listening? How long have I been here? How long will I have to stay here? I can feel some cool air on my neck so surely there is air getting in here so I can breathe. I should be in the graveyard near the church and the monastery. How long must I ring this bell? My hand is getting tired, but I must not quit! For only the constant ringing will draw attention. My hand is sore and tired. Will anyone hear me? I will surely die of starvation, thirst or my heart will fail me if they do not come soon. All of that extra cost to my poor wife, bless her soul, and I die anyway because no one hears the bell.
Do I hear something? The ground is shaking like a herd of horses are running over me. Is that a voice I hear yelling? Is that scraping? Am I hearing things because I want them so badly? No, it continues. Do I dare to hope? Yes, it continues. Should I quit ringing this bell? I will not until I am sure. I hear voices they are getting stronger, louder. Surely, I am not mistaken. Yes, yes, I can hear them now. “We are coming as fast as we can!” The scratching seems louder. I will stop ringing the bell now. They are on their way. Is that a faint light I see around the cord? Yes, they are starting to lift the coffin. I feel the tears streaming down my face. They are breaking the seal. I am so weak I wonder if I can get out of this thing. There I see light. There is Brother John and Brother Andrew. I try to lift my hand and I cannot. They are lifting me from the coffin. “Thank you!” “Thank you!” I whisper. Brother Peter leans in close to hear what I am saying. He is saying “Thank you!” They lay me on the cold ground and begin wrapping me in blankets. I take a big gulp of air and begin to cough. They bring me water; I take a small sip and begin to cough again. They move me over to a blanket and carry me to the monastery.
Life 380 BC to 1925
This is bizarre, but it is what people from 380 BC to 1925 thought could happen. Often when dreaded disease like cholera broke out, because the disease spread so quickly people would die and be buried without a doctor examining them. The stethoscope was invented in 1816 in Paris, France, but it would be many years later before it would arrive in American.
Edgar Allan Poe
This fear of being buried alive was an influence on the Gothic writings of Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849). In his writing there is the reoccurring themes of death, mourning, premature burial, effects of decomposition and the appearance of the dead. The morbid themes stem from his father abandoning the family when Edgar was one. A year later, his mother, Eliza and bother William die of consumption which is known today as tuberculosis. Later his step mother, Frances and, his wife, Virginia also die of consumption. It was during the time that his wife was suffering from consumption in 1842 that he writes the bizarre story of The Masque of the Red Death. A story in which a group of people lock themselves away to escape a horrible disease only to find it is among them.
He is the author of the well-known stories; The Tell-tale heart, The Pit and Pendulum and his darkest tale The Black Cat.
In 1810 he wrote the horror story The Premature burial which was in response to the fear the public had to the possibility of being buried alive.
This fear of being buried alive was an influence on the Gothic writings of Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849). In his writing there is the reoccurring themes of death, mourning, premature burial, effects of decomposition and the appearance of the dead. The morbid themes stem from his father abandoning the family when Edgar was one. A year later, his mother, Eliza and bother William die of consumption which is known today as tuberculosis. Later his step mother, Frances and, his wife, Virginia also die of consumption. It was during the time that his wife was suffering from consumption in 1842 that he writes the bizarre story of The Masque of the Red Death. A story in which a group of people lock themselves away to escape a horrible disease only to find it is among them.
He is the author of the well-known stories; The Tell-tale heart, The Pit and Pendulum and his darkest tale The Black Cat.
In 1810 he wrote the horror story The Premature burial which was in response to the fear the public had to the possibility of being buried alive.
Alfred Hitchcock
The master of the involuntary scream, Alfred Hitchcock, learned to express his fear in a manner which chills us all.
In Paul Aurandt’s “More of Paul Harvey’s, The Rest of the Story” there is a chapter called Living in Fear which explains Mr. Hitchcock’s phobias and lifetime fear of the police. The following excerpt is a part of that chapter.
Living in Fear
“One day, five-year-old, Al was playing around the house, a pretend game of knights and dragons. Daddy was home too that day.
Suddenly Daddy called from upstairs. Little Al ran up to see what Daddy wanted.
Daddy was holding a note in his hand, a note in a sealed envelope. Little Al knew where the police station was, did he not?
Little Al nodded.
Daddy smiled. The boy was to take the note down the street to the police station, hand it to the police chief, and wait for a reply.
Sensing the importance of this message, little Al eagerly accepted the errand. In a flash he was out the door, running through the avenue as fast as his little legs would allow.
By the time he reached the police station he was out of breath, but still beaming with the pride of this new responsibility.
‘I’m to wait for an answer.’ Said little Al, thrusting Daddy’s message into the police captain ‘s hand.
Reading the note, the police captain grinned at first, then appeared bewildered, then grinned again.
‘Come with me,’ he said.
Little Al followed him through a door, down a long hallway, and through another door – until he and the policeman were standing at the open entrance of a vacant cold, somber jail cell.
Before Little Al knew what was happening or why, he was inside and the iron-barred cell door was clanking shut beside him.
He could hear the police captain’s voice trailing away: ‘This is what we do to naughty boys.’
And all was silent.
There was no one to hear little Al’s frightened cries for ten minutes or so, a seeming eternity. Then the captain returned, released the boy without explanation, and little Al ran.
For little Al, recalling, the rest of that day is blank.”
Alfred Hitchcock gave us thrillers such as the 1934 and 1956, suspense thriller The man who knew too much which is about an American family’s drama filled trip from Casablanca to Marrakesh and the 1963, horror thriller, The Birds which is about a sudden-unexplained violent attack of birds on the people of Bodega Bay, California.
Using fear to create
The fear of being buried alive and the fear of police motivated these two imaginative writers into creating stories that can still put fear in us today.
The master of the involuntary scream, Alfred Hitchcock, learned to express his fear in a manner which chills us all.
In Paul Aurandt’s “More of Paul Harvey’s, The Rest of the Story” there is a chapter called Living in Fear which explains Mr. Hitchcock’s phobias and lifetime fear of the police. The following excerpt is a part of that chapter.
Living in Fear
“One day, five-year-old, Al was playing around the house, a pretend game of knights and dragons. Daddy was home too that day.
Suddenly Daddy called from upstairs. Little Al ran up to see what Daddy wanted.
Daddy was holding a note in his hand, a note in a sealed envelope. Little Al knew where the police station was, did he not?
Little Al nodded.
Daddy smiled. The boy was to take the note down the street to the police station, hand it to the police chief, and wait for a reply.
Sensing the importance of this message, little Al eagerly accepted the errand. In a flash he was out the door, running through the avenue as fast as his little legs would allow.
By the time he reached the police station he was out of breath, but still beaming with the pride of this new responsibility.
‘I’m to wait for an answer.’ Said little Al, thrusting Daddy’s message into the police captain ‘s hand.
Reading the note, the police captain grinned at first, then appeared bewildered, then grinned again.
‘Come with me,’ he said.
Little Al followed him through a door, down a long hallway, and through another door – until he and the policeman were standing at the open entrance of a vacant cold, somber jail cell.
Before Little Al knew what was happening or why, he was inside and the iron-barred cell door was clanking shut beside him.
He could hear the police captain’s voice trailing away: ‘This is what we do to naughty boys.’
And all was silent.
There was no one to hear little Al’s frightened cries for ten minutes or so, a seeming eternity. Then the captain returned, released the boy without explanation, and little Al ran.
For little Al, recalling, the rest of that day is blank.”
Alfred Hitchcock gave us thrillers such as the 1934 and 1956, suspense thriller The man who knew too much which is about an American family’s drama filled trip from Casablanca to Marrakesh and the 1963, horror thriller, The Birds which is about a sudden-unexplained violent attack of birds on the people of Bodega Bay, California.
Using fear to create
The fear of being buried alive and the fear of police motivated these two imaginative writers into creating stories that can still put fear in us today.
