The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-10-02
The last Hours Of n. J. Shombre.


Lanes company Of enai5rsnts entered Kansas,
prepared by Miss - HALL a warm heart
ed, heroic young lady. who IS now in the ter
r;tory collecting incidents of the present
struggle, for publication. We have room for
only few extracts. We also publish the
resolutions adopted By the Indiana company
in relation to Mr. Shombre's death These
papers were in the care of Dr.. Avery when
taken by the Rufians. and was among those
''abolitieE documents" which came very near
eaas,ns, the Doctors assassination
Tell them my life is offered willing sac
rihce on the altar of Liberty said the diving
man, with music in his voice and light in his
eve. And what sacrifice that was! They
who best knew him. best can tell at what cost
the noble victory was achieved. Il was the
last battle in series of conquests. Capt
Shombre fell wounded in the lower part of
the abdomen. also the hip with buck
shot. he was content TO die. From the long
and tedious route over the Kansas wlds in
which the company had made roads construc.
ted bridges, located towns and colonized them
he had just arrived AZ Topeka. Before his
parry had time TO pitch their tents in the set
tlement they reached in Kansas despatch
from Lawrence arrived asking for help. One
brillian. triumph had been achieved with the
loss Of one life two seriously and one slightly
wounded
After detailing rather infinitely tie history
and incidents connected with the attack on
the Border Rutfian camp at Washington creek
and Trtus's fort at Coon point, in both Of
which Capt. S. acted prominent part. snd
which has in substance been heretofore pub
lished, the writer proceeds TO give an account
OF her interviews with him during his last
hours:
1T was evening when l entered for the
first time the temporary hospital where he
and his fellow sufferers lay | had desired
one of our city physicians 10 notify me if l
could render any service, and restrained the
impulses of my heart, knowing that quite too
many only waited permission to visit them
Had | known what hero lying there,
just on the verge OF the grave, | would have
applied for an occasional post at his pillow,
which | know would not have been refused
me- Money could hot buy the memory of
the few hours passed at that death bed.
Dr. Avery, who had known him at home,
and who officiated as Treasurer for the party
Capt S. conducted to Kansas. was his com
panion to the field of battle and his physician
and attendant on his death bed He appre
ciated his worth. He loved him and wept
over him brother. BY request of the pa
tent, he had administered slight anodvne.
Under its influence be was dosing as | enter
ed the room. | objected TO the proposition
to arouse him, but DR.. A assuring me it
would cause him suffering, laid a gentle
hand upon his shoulder. speaking his name
and announcing mine also visitor. He
opened his beaming eyes fully upon me, and
a tinet ountenance is seldom seen, | took the
ice cold hand he extended, and his first re-
mark justified all the admiration l felt on
looking into his face. l said, Il am sorry to
see that you have fal, early martyr to
the cause of Freedom His reply and the
animation that accompanied it will not soon
be forgotten. THERE NEVER WAS A GREAT
WORK ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT THE SHEDDING
OF BLOOD" His dying moments exemplifed
the christian hero. His Joy was triumphant,
vet calm; though almost silent vet beautifully
expressive He was too weak TO converse,
and soon laps.d again into dreamy repose.
AT length his kind physician bending over
his low couch, asked if he would send any
message TO the trends of Freedom at home.
After moment he made effort to speak
and only uttered. lit is impossible" then clos
ed his eyes. He soon opened them, beaming
with that same impressive light, and with
serene smile full of sweetness said, in clear
and earnest tones. Tell them my life is offer
ed willing sacrifice on the altar of Liberty
The very magnanimitv of quiet JOY with which
he resigned himself to so glorious destiny.
endeered him &en fold more to those who
know how to love the martyr in orr cause.
Stranger though he was but feel.
we mourn. that ourselves well as our be
I, koi lost ,aiuoI friaui
Observing that he slept, | was about to
steal out OF he room, when his nurse sugses-
ted that l should bid him good bye, |
shrunk from rousing him to CRAFTY MY own
wishes, but it was done. Once more he gave
me lis hand, damp with desth-dews. and said
in the same winning manner Il hope 10 meet
YOU in better world Something was said
by his nurse Of the place his name would FIJI
in history; clasping and elevating his hands.
he replied, 4 am not ambitious for fame"
Liberty for Kansas, and justice and ?, ace for
the people, seemed TO comprise his chief earth
" wish. He had prepared for death long
before he WAS suddenly stricken down.
He asked that morning to know his condition,
adding. You know | am no, afraid to die
and calmly disposed of his worldly business
The voice of many living witnesses and the
testimonials of those who have known him in
all the relations OF HE, elsewhere, attest to his
consistency of character and elevation of
principle. His talents were of common
order Beautiful in that exalted sense which
reveals the image of the inner man is the life.
like picture now before me-s daguerrean
memsnto highly valued. Perhaps the kind
hearted Doctor A. knew by instinct that |
was reluctant 10 quit ''the chamber where the
good man meets his fate, privileged beyond
the common walk of virtuous life, just on the
verge of Heaven His attention had been