Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-04-11
WaslingtOn's Death Bed.

"Thc cold he hal taken from cx.
posurc in overseeing SOME parts OF his
grounds, and which had resisted the
earlier domestic remedies that were ap.
p!lel, advanced in course Of two short
days into lha. frighlful form OF the dis.
ease ofthc throat, laryngius. Ii became
necessary for him to take to his bed.
His valued friend, DR.. Craig, was i'm.
melialely summoned, and assisted BY
the bes, me licaI skill Of the surround.
ing country, exhausted all the means OF
his art, buf without aniorIing him any
relief lie patiently submitted, though
in great is,rcss. to the various rcmcd.
les proposed, but il became evident from
the gloom settling upon the countenan.
ces Of the medical gentlemen that the
case was hopeless; advancing insidious.
Iy, the disease had fastened itself with
deadly cer,ainty.-Lookins with perfect
camness upon the sobbing group around
him, he sad "Grieve not for me, my
friends; il is as | anticipated from the
first; the debt which wc all owe, is now
about TO be paid: am resigned TO The
event. "Rcquesiins Mrs. Washington
to bring Two wills from his cscl;toire, he
directed one 10 be burnt, and placed
the other in her hands, as his last tesla.
men., and then gave some final instruc.
tions to Mr.. Lear, his Secretary, and rel.
alives, as TO the adjustment of his 5usi.
ness affairs. He soon after became
greatly distressed; and as, in the par
oxysms which became more frequent
and violent. Mr.. Lear, who was at his
side, assisted him 10 turn, he with kind {.
ness but difficulty arliculated, 81 fear |
give you trouble, sir; but perhaps it is a
duty which we all owe one another;
trust that you may receive the same al.
!ention when you shall require it.
GAS the night waneJ, the fatal symp.
tom became more imminent-his breath
laborcd AMI sulfocating, and his voice
failed him. Perceiving his ems! ap'
preaching, he stretched himself to hi.
full length, folded his own hands in the
necessary attitude upon his chest, plac.
ing his finger upon the pulse Of the left
wrist, and thus calmly prepared, and
watching his own dissolution, awaited
the summons of his Maker. The last
faint hope of his friends had disappear
cd. Mrs. Washington, stupefied with
grief, sat at the foot Of the bed, her eyes
fixed steadfastly upon him; d.. Clark
in deep gloom, stood with his face bur.
led in his hands at the fire; his faithful
black servant, Christopher, with tear'
unaccountabIe trckling down his face,
on one side, took the last look at his
dying master, while Mr.. Lear, in speech
less grief, with folded hands bent owe
his pillow Oh the other.
"Naught broke the stiffness Of his
last moments but the suppressed sobs O
his aflectionate servants collected on the
staircase, the tick Of the large clock ia
the hall, as it measured off with painful
distinctness, the last leeting moment o
his existence, and the low moan Of the
winter wind, as it swept through the
leaAess snow covered trees.
The laboring and wearied splri, drew
nearer and nearer its goal; the blood
lanyuidly coursed slowly and more
slowly through its channels-.he noble
) heart stopped - struggled -auttered-
the right hand slowly slid from the
wrist, upon which its finger had beel
placed-it fell at the side-and the
manly efligy..of Washington was all tina
remained upon the death couch!"