Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-04-06
LAST MOMENTS OF HON. JOHN c. CALHOUN.


a gloom over the capital, and is the topic of |
conversation and universal regret, to-day, a.
mong our citizens, During the whole of yes |
terday, it was evident TO those who had ac-
cess TO the sick chamber, that the lamp of
life was nearly extinguished, and that, if
within few hours change did not take
place for the better, his demise might be con-
fdently expected Indeed, he seemed con.
scious himself that his mortal career was near
close. AT about ten O'Clock last night, Mr..
Venable, Of North Carolina, read to him some
letters which were addressed to Mr. Calhoun
by persons at distance, and which reached
Washington by that days mail. Shortly af-
forwards he addressed Mr. Joseph A. Scoville
who was with him from the commencement
of his sickness till the moment of his death
"Read very low some of the papers which
said wished in the morning, as am very
feeble."
About half-pas, 12 this morning change
took place for the worse. He had been una
bic for some hours previous to raise the mat.
ter from his lungs, and his son turned him on
marked-"It's of no use ; receive no relief
Il am sinking. have no pulse in my wrist;
feelit The medicine ian opiate) has had
charming effect | feel warm glow over
my system " He noticed that his son was
very much alarmed, and said, "Why do you
sit up' You had better go TO sleep" His
breathing had become very difficult He said
"breathing has become very harrassing to
me-" His son lay down upon couch near
him, bu not TO sleep. At about o'clock,
Mr. Calhoun called him, and addressing him.
said, "John, come here. believe all that
medical skill can do will be of no avail feel
my pulse; | have none. Take my loose pa.
pers out of the drawers, also, my watch, and
lock them up in my trunk " He made the
same reques, last evening, at quarter before
6 o'clock. He spoke the last words which
were audible, 81 am resting now, very easily"
Mr.. venable, of North Carolina, who oceu-
pied the next room, was called and came in.
Mr.. Calhoun extended his hand his eyes
were bright, and he was perfectly conscious,
: but did not speak. Mr.. Venable found that
> iiO h"N iio PuioO anu POuiNu out polt VI Sos'
o. Madeira He raised his head. drank it,
and then sank back upon his pillow. Mr.. Orr
and Dr. Wallace, of South Carolina came in.
When the door closed, Mr.. Calhoun turned
his eyes in that direction, and was perfectly
conscious of every thing that passed. He
squeezed his sons hand convulsvely his
lips moved, and his eyes were very express
sive. His voice could not be heard, and
when some one leaned over him, as il 10 lis
: ten, he moved his head, as if 10 say ~ cannot
| speak" His breathing was very hard until
FIVE minutes before his death. One hand
, rested upon his breast, and he raised the
other and placed it once or twice upon his
head Probably the last rush OF blood panied
him. When the breath left the body, i, va
like long drawn breath 1t was the last.
, and all was over. He died as easy as an in
fant, and was perfectly conscious until the
: last spark of life had fed. Thus departed
the pure & unsulled spirit of John c. Calhoun
I of South Carolina. His funeral will take
place on Tuesday The body will be placed
in metallic coffin and deposited in a vaul,
A in the Congressional burying ground, where
, two of his children are buried, and remain
= there until the wishes of Mrs. Calhoun are
known.
Mr.. Mills has taken bust OF the deceased
statesman, since his death. Intelligence of
the melancholy event was Immediately trans
mitted by telegraph TO his widow, and 10 all
the telegraphic stations throughout the coun-
, try. MIR. Calhoun was born at Abbevile, S.
c., March IS, 1882. At the age of % he
graduated at Yale College, Conn. In 1907
he was admitted to the bar of his native
State. One year later he was elected to the
Legislature OF South Carolina, where ne SER
: we'd two years In 1911 he was sent to Cou-
gress In 1917 he became Secretary of War,
; and continued so eight years, until 1925,
when he became Vice President of the Uni
ted States L. 1928 h. WAS re elected, and
held that office within few months OF eight
years. In Decembnr, 1882, he resigned it,
and was elected Senator from South Caro-.
lima L. March, ls43, he resigned as Senator,
after holding he office for eleven years Ia
February, 1874, he was appointed Secretary
of Slate, and held that office one year, when
, he was re-chosen as Senator, in which office
5 he continued until his great spirit was recall
t led fro n his body this morning. For forty
two years he was in active political life, and
served his country faithfully during the whole
of that period.-N Y. Herald.
Mr.. RUsK's new postage bill provides for
reduction OF postage to two cents hall ounce
on all distances prepaid; drop letters, one
cent prepaid, otherwise, two cents; newspa-
per postage the same as now.
The frauking privilege to be abolished, ex.
. cept where granted by Congress as mark of
respect. Bound volumes one cent per ounce
J prepaid. In the large cities places of depo-
sit for letters to be established free of charge
Postage Oh documents printed by Congress
TO be paid out of contingent fund of the re-
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