Observations placeholder
Leopold Stark of 34 Rue Hongroie, Budapest - And the violent gust of wind
Identifier
017032
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Death and its Mystery, At the Moment of Death; Manifestations and Apparitions of the Dying – Camille Flammarion
Communication from Leopold Stark, Budapest, II Coivohaz, 34 Rue Hongroie, Letter 988, 1900
My father had been ill for several weeks with severe neuralgia; this weakened him so that, at his age, 75, his death was to be feared.
My wife and I were in a state of continuous apprehension, when, on the night of April 4th – 5th, we were awakened with a start by a tremendous gust of wind, which opened, with a great noise, the window of the next room. We had heard it being closed the evening before by the maid-servant. We felt the current of the air come in through the crack under the closed door which separates the two rooms.
At once I had the feeling that my father might be dead. I struck a light, and found that it was a few minutes past three o’clock.
I said nothing to my wife, in order not to disturb her repose; but when, the next day, we received by telegram the fateful news of my father’s death, my wife acknowledged to me that the moment we awakened, she too had a feeling like mine but more definite; that is to say, while I felt the possibility of the end, she was sure of it.
I must add that the gust of wind was exceptionally violent.
When we reached the place where my father was living (Francisco in Hungary, 175 kilometres from here as the crow flies) one of the first things I asked was the time of death; the answer was that my father died a few minutes after 3 o’clock.
I was not the victim of an illusion, being by nature calm and given to reflection, and accustomed, on account of my profession of electrical engineering, to observe minutely and not draw conclusions too promptly.
I give you my word of honour that I have added or omitted nothing in telling of the circumstances which seem to me essential, in judging the occurrence, and I authorise you to publish my name and my calling.
You may gain information about me from Monsieur Desire Korda, manager of the Electrical Department of the Fives-Lilles Company (Paris, rue Caumartin) and from Maurice Loewy, head of the Paris Observatory.