Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1843-12-30
From the New Orleans Picayune.
Prairie and Mountain Life,
DEATH OF rRANCoI,

From the New Orleans Picayune.
Prairie and Mountain Life.
DEATH OF FRANCOIS.
Inquiry seeming to be especially alive in re-
gard to one unhappy occurrence that has been
mentioned as having taken place during our far
travel, it may be a. well to relate the death of
poor little Francois At once.
On the 18th Of last July we encamped about
d-day under the cred Buttes," having made
our crossing of the north fork Of the Platte, aud
being then in high spirits, on account Of our
near approach to the mountains, the glttering
SHOWS Of which, like fsecy vapors on the far
horizon, we had now seen for several days
Forming camp 1t midday on this occasion was
on account Of our having met an old trader BY
the name Of Vasquez, who was travelling inward
to Fort John, at Laramee, with large number
OF pack animals laden with robes and skins
We halted to exchange greetings, many of both
parties having known each other Of old, and the
smiles were suddenly exchanged for deep sclem-
nifty, and gloom spread around among us, that
hitherto had been stranger in our camp. One
the letters designed for this paper, that never
| came to hand, was written at this encampment
The epistie was of the sunniest and l.veliest
kind, aiming to assure friends at home of our
complete safety, and how well every thing was
going with usi dwelling upon our freedom from
moles:asicn or danger, our capacity to set peril
at defiance, and our happy escape from accident
or peril Of any kind.
The red wax of the seal was scarcely Geld
upon that letter, when-bang.- isz-z,-
mans voice exclaiming, "Great G-d,-fol-
lowed by more Juvenile accents of pain and hor-
ror enunciating "Mon Lieu. mon I ieu,'' gave
all ears warning of some frightful harm having
occurred.
"What is it?o-"Who fred?o-"What,s the
matter?''-"Who's hurt?'' were the rapid inaui-
res of people Jumping up and running in all d.
rections The next instant all eyes were direct
ed to the spot where the misfortue occurred, by
still louder voice, calling hurredly for Doctor
Tilghman!' and there lay poor little Francois
Clement, in the arms Of Sir VIM. Stewart, with
the blood rushing in torrents from his left breast
Stsdman Tilghman-a young gentleman from
Baltimore, and thorough graduate in surgical
lioed--was soon upon the spot; coolly and skill
fully performing all that could be done; but the
wound in the breast Of Francois was one over
which nc science extant could hold control. All
left to be done was but to see how long the
spark OF life could be made 10 linger yet within
the mutilated framej and so desperate was the
wound-through and through the very vital re-
glon OF the body-that il seemed to Us all strange,
that the boy survived ten minutes after being
shot,
Francois was the youngest brother of Antoine
Clement, one CT the FIRST among the best hunters
known upon the Western prairies, bat of him
We shall have occasion to speak elsewhere. -
The boy was favorite with Captain Stewart;
and generally rode with him as page, or portege
He was but fifteen years old the pet Of his moth
er at home, and forward, smart boy--at least
life. On one occasion young Walker, of ST.
Louis, an active and spirited amateur hunter,
was out from camp after a black-tailed deer,
when he found Francois striving to outstrip him
in pursuit Of the game.
"Why. Frank, what are you doing here?" said
Walker.
"rm after that DEER" replied the boy.
8. You after deeri why you couldn't hit the
side OF barn at twenty yards, if it was tied fast
for you"
s'Je nc seis ras,o said Frank, abut may be /
could hit you at hundied!o
Such youth was Francois Clement--too for.
ward for his years or place; which fact, in a
great measure, led tc the sad catastrophe Of his
demise.
Sitting outside OF tent, he saw gun inside
which he took hold Of BY the muzzle, seeking to
draw it out Under the STIR tched canvass; and
which in this act some obstruction touched the
lock, discharging the instrument, and driving an
ounce ball through the lower lobe Of poor
Franks left lungl
1t was about an hour before sunset, and when
that hour was fading to an ins.ant, he was still
reclining Upon Dr.. Tilghman's knee. A pro-
phetic but chilling intelligence seemed TO kindle
in the boys eye, as if just impaired BY an ice
bolt in the heart, when his gaze termed from the
darkening west to the doctors face, and he
mournfally said:
clay me down, doctor; lay me down and let
!he rest: am dead! I am dead!" 5E
The doctct endeavored to assure him that he
should still be cain and cherish hope, but the
cold conviction ofsuddcn death seemed to have
frozen into The poor boys soul: SSH
"Mon Diex: j. ssis ~sori! je ssis! o. mon Isisa!s
hs exclaimed, burying his face from the sinking
He was born It Saint Charles, Missouri, Of
French parents, and always spoke in that Ian.
gvage when most affected.
Il is known that two Catholic priests, besides
several lay brothers, accompanied US to the noun
tans-missionaries, going to settle with the Flat
head tribe. Father De vos came to poor Frank
soon after his accident, and never left him again
until his last breath Of mortality had passed away,
save for the few instants whes he went to robe
himself for administering the Extreme Unction
The presence Of this good old man rendered the
scene one Of deep and affecting solemnity. With
calm and impressive persuasion, he -banished
widness and fear from the boys heart, and turned
his thoughts on happiness ard heaven. Then
flew the heart Of Francois homeward to his moth.
=, and all his remaining words were for her.