Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-10-30
n z 70 n

AT Matagorda, Texas, on the Goth of June last, |
Mr.. JOHN A. WILKINS, son of William II. and
Martha Wilkins Of this place, in the 22nd year
of his age.
The fact of the sudden death of this young man
was noticed in our village papers of the 2Sth of
Angus, but nothing further had then been ascer-
tanned, Letters have recently been received
containing the particulars Of his illness and death
in distant and strange land And it is felt to
be due to the memory of this interesting youth,
as well as his afflicted friends and numerous
acquaintance, to present the following sketch
and remarks. 1t can not be expected that the
life OF one so young would furnish many Incl
dents worthy OF notice or traits of character fully
developed snd maturcd. Unusually cheerful
and sprghly, our deceased young friend read-
ly endearGd himself to all who knew him.
Possessed of the finest integrity and good habits
he merited and uniformly won the Unlimited
confidence of all who employed him as their
clerk or agent in business. There was COM
bned with these qualities sweet and amiable
temper, that was manifested in all the relations
OF life. Flllal piety or a tender regard to the
known will and wishes of his parents, was a
marked trait in his character, which commended
him to all youth as pattern in this respect for
their imitation.
Under prospects Of business very inviting to
an enterprsing young man, Mr.. Wilkins went
out to Texas about one year ago. He seemed,
at first, to suffer no injury from a change of
climate Ills circumstances lor this world were
full of hope. But, alas how uncertain and
unstable is all earthly good. About the first of
June, he had occasion to come down to the
mouth of the Bay of Matagorda. The fever
which terminated his life appears to have been
contracted from his exposure to the hot sun,
while returning in an open boat to the place of
his residence, on the fourth of June last. The
next day after his return, he complained of
feeling much unwcll. Physicians were mme
dately called but 1t was soon mcnifest that a
high fever was setting upon him. The letter
from an intimate friend, detailing the circum-
stances of his death, says "Nothng was left
undone that could in any wise benefit him or add
to his comfort Every thing that the advice and
attention of the best physicians and kndest
friends could do,-was done. But it was all in
vain. lie languished sixteen days and died
lie was, during most of his sickness, quite stu
pld and some of the time dclirous, but towards
the last think he was fully conscious of his
situatlsn. The last words heard him spca
were those OF prayer. heard him say distinct y
(and think it was the last sentence heard hin
utter) 'My Father in heaven, enable me to com
NIT myself into thy care lie was hurried a
the lame trce"-Matagorda stands at the heat
of a large bay of the saline name and on tho verge
of an extensive prairie. The 'lone tree ha,
received that name from its being the only on,
that meets the eye Of the beholder for a grea
distance around, This spot had often boon re
, softad to by young Wilkins and his northern
g friends in their leisure walks, and he had fro
5 quently been heard to say, that if he should d
G there, he would wish to be buried beneath thu
= spreading shade this favorc tree. There nov
rest his earthly remains; and we have great con
ISOLATION IN the hope that his disembodied spiri
now rests with the Saviour of sinners lie ha
: been a child of many prayers yet, up to abou
r, the time of leaving his friends for his distan
k home, he had been, alas! like many other youn
y men, allured by the world and unanx ous abou
IS the salvation Of his soul and the service of hi
Redeemer
d, On his passage out, an incident occuyre