Daily national Democrat., 1858-09-17
Ln,t Hnurs of Ferguson.

| lAuW OF FcFSuBOns
1t seems that the physicians who attended
Mr.. Ferguson, on the evening after the duel
with Mr. Johnston, informed him that, unless
he submitted Immediately to amputation,
the chances were a thousand to one against
him. lie said that he oeould take that chance
The following particulars from the Call will
be of interest;
The evening of the day on which Mr.. Fer
guson received the wound which has since
resulted in his death, the attending physi
clans advised him to submit to an operation,
as in their opinion his life could not other
wise be saved-as without an amputation the
chances were n thousand to one that he could
not live. He said he would take that chance,
and refused to submit to the proposed opera
ton The case of the patient having begun
to assume critical appearance, yesterday
Drs. Angels, Sawyer, Colt Gray and Rowell
held consultation in regard to it, when it
was thought best to open the leg SO MS to
discover the condition of the bone Previ-
Gus to the examination, Mr. Ferguson again
persisted in his refusal to submit to an opera
tiOn, if there was the least chance of saving
the limb, saying that he would not lose his
leg for all California. He exactcd promise
from one of the physicians to the effect that
if on examination it should be found necessa-
ry to amputate, he should be acquainted with
the fact. Examination convinced all the phy
sicans present that amputation was absolute
ly necessary The patient was aroused from
the influence of chloroform, and informed OF
the conclusion which had been arrived at,
and the operation was at once proceeded
with. The operation was skilfully perform
l.11 n,, -. 4 L.
the others, and SO well and quickly were the
arteries taken up that but trifing quantity
OK blood was lost. The operation was per
formed at about o'clock The patients
nervous system was incapable of withstand
ing the great shock, and in twenty minutes
after the conclusion of the operation, he ex-
pired. The bone of the leg was found to be
shattered for some five inches, a portion Of
the ball having passed directly through it.
The ball itself had been split into four pieces,
one of which was extracted the day after the
wound was received, one was found above
the wound. another below, and the other
lying on the opposite of the bone. The an
nonncement of Nr. Ferguson's death spread
a general gloom throughout the city, as
thousands deplore his melancholy fate.
The Times says:
1t will be frequently remarked that if the
amputation had been insisted on or agreed to
three weeks ago, Ferguson would have sur
vived. We understand that the opinion of
the attending and consulting physicians is to
the contrary, although they believe that his
chances might have been much increased. if
their advice had been Immediately followed.
Much had been apprehended from the pre-
sumed bad physical state of the deceased, by
those unacquainted with his exact tempera-
meat and bodily powers of endurance He
threw off the effects of nights dissipation
with wonderful case and impunity The
shot he received was by itself properly con-
sidered Us fatal Twenty-four separate par
} ticles of bone were counted in the wound.
The following is from the Alta
Before the commencement of the final op-
\ Grafton, Mr.. Ferguson prepared himself for
, death. He then, for the first time, stated
that he believed the wound had extended to
his hip joint as that had of late been the
source of great pain He had little or no
! doubt amputation would be necessary, and
did not expect to surviveit it, Indeed he went
so far as to say that life was not desirable
under such circumstances. His language was
sensible and cheerful, yet his tone was feeble
and melancholy. He conversed freely of the
difficulty that brought about the meeting be.
tween him and his antagonist, which, he in
sisted. was misunderstood He did not doubt
that Mr.. Johnston was honest in that misun
derstanding and believed he (Mr Ferguson)
had really made the remark attributed to
him. Yet Mr.. F. contended that he was the
proper judge, and that his adversary was
mistaken. In this assertion he exhibited
much earnestness, and repeated the remark
again and again. lie spoke of the meeting
of them on the ground, after he had been
wounded, and regretted that an improper in
terpretation had been given to Mr. Johnston's
remarks. He contended that they were spoken
kindly and feelingly, and were we'll intended
and hoped no friend of his would say to the
contrary. He also stated that the whole af
fair was conducted honorably and fairly, and
above all he desired that no prosecution of
Mr.. Johnston should be tolerated bv his
friends. He said in this connection al freely
forgive him, and hope he may continue to be
a useful and honorable member of society,
then why should Others " HON he never in
jured, refuse to do So" He spoke of his
mother, but no language can convey the ell
, oquence of his trembling lips, and sivery ac-
cents as he called the name Of her who gave
the life that was just entering eternity. Mr.
Ferguson expressed the wish to be buried in
Sacramento, as he felt that place to be his
home, yet he would leave the matter to his
friends. At this period he desired to be
alone. In n few moments thereafter his
faithful ser, ant "John" came from his room
bathed in tears. "He had said his last PRAYER
on earth" When his friends again entered
he said 81 am now ready" The chloroform
was applied and he never smoke more