The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-03
(To BIZ coNrISrEp.)
Ep~ The following is the last closing
:enes lie the life of that illustrious states
ian and patriot Danied Webster.

NY thc io'ioNihS 10 INC iast SieS'hS
scenes lie the life of that illustrious states
man and patriot Daniel Webster.
The public are already informed of the
chief features of that deeply interesting
seene, mp 70 the period when Mr. Webster
desired to take leave of all who were in
the house. One by one, in deep sorrow,
but sustained by his own great example,
the members of his family and the friends
and attendants, came in nnd took leave of
him. lie desired them to remain near
his room, and more than once enioined on
those present, who were not of his immedi-
ate family, not to leave Marshfeld till his
death had taken place. Being assured by
all that his every wish would be religiously
regarded, he then addressed himself to
his physicians, making minute inquiries as
to his own condition, and the probable
termination Of his life.
Convcrsing with great exactness, he
seemed to be anxious to DO able to mark
to himselfthe final period of his dssolu-
ton.
He was answered that it might occur
in one, two or three hours, but that the
time could not be definitely calculated.
"Then,' said Mr.. Webster, "I sup
pose must lie here quietly till it comes"
The retching and vomiting now recur-
red again.
DR.. Jefries offered to Mr.. Webster
something which he hoped might give
him ease.
The dying statesman rcmarked-"Some-
thing more, Doctor-more. l want res
toration."
Between ten and eleven o'clock he
repeated somewhat indistin. 'tIy the words,
"Poet, poetry-Gray, GRAY"
Mr.. Fletcher Webster repeated the first
line of the elegy-"The Curfew tolls the
knell of parting day"
"That's it, that's it," said Mr.. Webster,
and the book was brought and some
stanzas read to him, which seemed to
give him pleasure.
From twelve o'clock till two there was
much restlessness, but not much suffering
the physicians were quite confident that
there was no actual pain.
a faintness occurred, which led him to
think that his death was at hand. While
IN this condition some expressions fell
from him, indicating the hope that his
mind would remain to him completely un-
til the last. ....
He spoke Of the difficulty of the pro-
cess of dying, when Dr.. Jetfries repeated
the verse: >G
Though walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, will fear no evil,
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy
stai, they cssnfort me..','s r,-'s-
Mr.. Webster said Immediately: "The
fact--the fact! That is what l wanti Thy
rod-thy rod! Thy staff-thy staff"
The close was perfectly tranquil and
easy, and occurred at precisely twenty
two minutes before three o'clock, as before
stated. .-ta o.. ....
The persons present were Mr.. and Mrs.
Fletcher Webster, Mr.. and Mrs. Page, Mr..
8. A. Appleton, Miss Downes, Mr.. Leroy,
Edward Curtis, Peter Harvey, George T.
Curtis, Charles I;nny Thomas, Esqs.,
George J. Abbott, and w. E. Zantzinger
of the State Department.; Drs Jeffries and
J Mason Warren, and the personal at
tendants and domestics OF Mr.. Webster.
Mrs Webster being unable to witness
the last moments, awaited the event in
her own apartment.