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Extract from the Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research volume xi
[from Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death – F W H Myers]
From D J Parsons MD Sweet Springs, MO

Four years ago, I made arrangements with my nephew, John W Parsons, to go to my office after supper to investigate a case.  We walked along together, both fully determined to go up into the office, but just as I stepped upon the door sill of the drug store in which my office was situated, some invisible influence stopped me instantly.  I was much surprised, felt like I was almost dazed, the influence was so strong, almost like a blow, I felt like I could not make another step.
 
I said to my nephew ‘John, I do not feel like going into the office now; you go and read Flint and Aitken on the subject’.. He went, lighted the lamp, took off his hat, and just as he was reaching for a book the report of a large pistol was heard.  The ball entered the window near where he was standing, passed near to and over his head, struck the wall and fell to the floor.  Had I been standing where he was, I would have been killed, as I am much taller than he.  The pistol was fired by a man who had an old grudge against me, and had secreted himself in a vacant house near by to assassinate me.
 
I am fully satisfied that the invisible and unknown intelligence did the best that could have been done, under the circumstances, to save us from harm