Observations placeholder
A prophetic vision of the suicide of Mr. Espie, a bank clerk, who was unknown to Mrs. McAlpine
Identifier
026696
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Future and Beyond – H F Saltmarsh
This case is reported in Proc., X, 332.
Mrs. McAlpine was sitting by the side of a lake and was absorbed in the beauty of the scene; presently she felt a cold chill creeping over her and a curious numbness, as though she could not move.
She felt frightened, yet impelled to stare at the water. Gradually a black cloud seemed to rise and in the midst she saw a tall man in a suit of tweeds jump into the water and sink. Then the blackness passed and the scene became normal again.
Mrs. McAlpine told her brother and sister of her experience, but they only laughed at it.
About a week later, Mr. Espie, a bank clerk, who was unknown to Mrs. McAlpine, committed suicide by drowning himself at that place. There was evidence to show that he had been contemplating taking his life for some time. Mrs. McAlpine's account is confirmed by her sister. It may be that the man, in contemplating suicide, had decided on the spot where he would do it. The chill and numbness felt by Mrs. McAlpine, also the black cloud, could be accounted for as being symbolic.