The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-05-02
Lost Hours OF Mr.. Calhoun.


Lest Hours OF Mr.. Calhoun.
During the whole of yesterday (Satur-
day it vi as evident to those who had ac-
cess to the sick chamber that the lamp of
life was yearly extinguished, and that if
within a few hours change did not take
place foE the better, his demise might be
confidently expected. Indeed, he SEEM
ed conscious himself, that his mortal ca .
reer waa near a close. At about 10
O'Clock last night Mr.. Venable, of North
Carolina, read to him some letters which
were addressed to Mr.. Calhoun by per-
sons at distance, and which reached
Washington by that days mail. Short
ly afterwards he addressed Mr.. Joseph
Scoville, who was with him from the
commencement of his sickness till the
moment of his death:
"Read very low some Of ihe papers
which said | wished in the morning, as
am very feeble"
About half past twelve this morning a
change took place for the worse. He
had been unable for some hours previ-
Gus to raise the matter from his lungs,
and his son turned him On his side to af-
ford him, some relief He remarked,
''1t's OF no use; l receive no relief
am sinking. Place me back as was
have MP pulse in my wrist; feel it.
The medicine (an opiate) has had a
charming) effect. feel warm glow
over my system"
He noticed that his son was very much
alarmed and said:
"Why Ho you sit upe You had bet
ter 60 to ileep."
His breathing had become very diff
cult. Hdsaid, breathing has become
very harr.ssing to me-" His son lay
down upon a couch near him, but not to
sleep. Al about 4 Mr.. Calhoun called
him, and addressing him, said, "John
come here. j believe all that medical
skill can do will be Of no avail; feel my
pulse; / have none. Take all my loose
papers out of the drawers, also my
watch and lock them up in my trunk. ,
He made the same request last eve
ming; at a quarter before six he spoke
the last words which were audible.
81 am resting now, very easily"
Mr.. Venable Of North Carolina, who
occupied the next room, was called anC
came in. Mr. Calhoun extended hi.
hand; his eyes were very bright, and he
was very conscious, but did not speak.
Mr.. Venable found that he had no pulse
and poured out part of glass of Ma
+ deira. He raised his head, drank it
and then sank back upon his pillow
Mr.. Orr andDr. Wallace, of South Car
DINA, then came in. When the door
closed, Mr.. Calhoun turned his eyes il
/ the direction, and was perfectly con
scious of every thing that passed
, He squeezed his SON hand convulsively
his lips moved, and his eyes were very
| expressive. His voice could not be
heard, and when some one leaned over
him, as if to listen, he moved his heat
, as if to say, 81 cannot speak" Hi
/ breathing was very hard until five min
utes before his death. One hand reste,
, upon his breast, and he raised the othel
and placed it once or twice upon hi:
f head. Probably the last rush of bloc,
) panied aim When the breath left th,
, body, it was like long drawn breath
, 1t was the last, and all was over. H
, died as easy as an infant, and was per
, fectly conscious until the last spark O
8 life had fed.
Thus departed the pure and unsullie'
spirit of John G. Calhoun, of Soutl
E Carolina. Mr.. Mills has taken bus
of the deceased statesman, since death
Intelligence of the melancholy even
: was Immediately transmitted by tele
e graph to his widow, and to all the ,ele
e graphic stations throughout the country
0 Mr.. Calhoun was Of Irish extraction
f He wasborn on the 18th of March I7S2
and was therefore just turned Of 6
c years of age. More than forty of hi
r life were spent in public service and
i nearly the whole of that long period i
r the Legislature or Executive Depart
a ments of the General Government. Hi
father, Patrick Calhoun, was born
# Donegal, in Ireland; but the family en-
y igraled when Patrick was child, fir
J, to Pennsylvania, then to NE wester
e part Of Virginia, and finally to Soui
i Carolina, in I776, when Patrick settle
is on the place where his son John Cal,
}, well was born. His mother who.
g name was Caldwell, was born 10 Cha
e Iotte, Virginia. a
o In 1902 he entered the junior ella
l. of Yale College, where he gradual,
r. with the highest honors. On leavir