Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-03-12
Aisceiiapeops.
From the New York Mirror.
DR.. kane,s Last Illness.

We have solicited permission to publish
the following letter, addressed by young
lady of this city, who is passing the win.
ter at Havana, TO her father. 1t contains
a touching account of the last hours Of
one whose death is q national loss, and
whose memory is dear to the heart of stran-
gers as well as friends. The letter, altho'
not intended for the public eye, is beauti-
fully written, and will be read with sympa-
thetic interest:
HAVANA, Feb. II, 1851.
DEAR FATHER: Last Wednesday we
were startled by the report that DR.. KANE
was dead-though we afterward learned
that he still lived, although speechless and
motionless from another attack of paraly-
sis and apoplexy together, $50 said the doc
tors,) which rendered his case perfectly
hopeless. We were all very much surpris-
ed, for he had been out riding on Tuesday
morning, and on Wednesday his brother
was at the breakfast table, as usual. His
poor mother has watched by him almost
constantly until yesterday, when, as you
will have heard long before this reaches
you, her care, as well as that of his bro
thers and the faitful MORTON, was no long
er necessary.
FEBRUARY 20-I left this letter unfnish-
ed that l might send you something more
about DR.. Kane, though l did not dream
of all have tosay. The day after her sons
death, Mrs. Kane sent for Mrs. Almy. She
seemed quite composed; j. she said she knew
it would be long before she could realize
that Elisha (so she calls him) was dead,
for she was so accustomed to his long ab-
sence, she would be sure to find herself al
most expecting his return from some dam
gerous expedition. She felt perfectly GER
tain that from the time of his last attack,
though he could neither speak nor move,
and even his eyes were fixed, that he re-
cognized them all; that he evidently knew
his brothers voices; and also knew by the
expression of his face when she read to
him, what were his favorite Psalms and
passages of Scripture; to the very last she
thought him perfectly conscious of every
thing that was going on around him. Was
not that comfort for the poor mother?
"Blessed are they that die in the Lord"
So many persons asked to be permitted
to see him, his brother at last consented
Last evening they placed him in a room
not far from ours, which was open to who
ever chose to visit it. The coffin was part
ly wrapped in the folds of the American
flag; near it was the outer box, which was
to receive it, with the direction: "Hon,
Judge Kane" Thus his idolized son re-
turns for the last time to the fathers house
Little did we ever think, dear father, that
we should look upon that face in DEATH
Those who had seen him before said it was
very natural; the features were like those
of the portroait in our book, though, of
course, very much emaciated.
After tea, as we were talking with some
ladies in the parlor, Frances passed through
the hall with something in her hand, which
she signified belonged to me. found it
to be note from Mrs. Kane to me, with
some verses she had copied, with her own
head, to send me. I would enclose both to
you, but l am afraid they might by some
possibility be lost, so I will copy the note
for you here, and also my answer to it, for
l should like to know if it meets your ap-
probation. was fearful it might seem
cold, from my very dread of saying too
much; but this morning Frances tells me
that dear Mrs. Kane liked it exceedingly,
which, you may be sure, has made me feel
very happy indeed.
Here is what received.
Ny DEAR MISS W: Your father told
me you were SO interested in everything re-
lating to my son, thatI have Though with
a trembling han0 copied few lines of po-
etry, that came out with our last letters, for
you, to accompany my grateful thanks for
the messages of kindness from your mother
and your self Yours truly, -.
My DEAR Mrs. KANE: I do not know
how to thank you for your most unexpect-
ed remembrance of me at such moment
when as a mother you mourn the loss of
your noble SON while, as Christian,
you must rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory, that he you lately "watched
in fear" rests from his labors, in the arms
Of the everlasting Father. My mother
sends you the assurance of her sympathy in
your grief, and also in your glorious hopes.
Yours, most gratefully, N. W.. :