The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-08-12
Death of Elisha T. Sterling.

We know not how to pen the obituary of
this good man who has fallen in tho midst
of his usefulness afuf whose death has sent
such u thrill through community as has
never before boon known upon tho happen
ing of any oyont within our remembrance.
II MIR. STERLING had died on his bed thorc
would DO left us tho melancholy pleasure
of recording bis virtues, and his worth.
This, II is true, we can do now, but tho
manner of his death, tho sad circumstances
that surround it, are SO public, arc so holm
Gus, SO startling, that duty will not permit
us to stop there. We must comment upon
this tragedy, aud in order to save somewhat
tho mcmory of rs good friend Us we ever
had, wo must doal plainly with the facts.
But first, we will speak of tho deceased,
what we know of him, through q vcry in.
innate and long friendship, as bearing upon
his condition the night of his death. All
the ultimate friends of the deceased know
that under the influence Of the least stmu-
liant he was not responsible for anything
no did. He was thoroughly dcrangcd
man whenever that mysterious and all con-
trolling gnawiug of appetite lod him to use
intoxicating liquors.
Mr.. STERLING was not an incorporate
man habiiualIy. That is. he did not daily
indulge in strong drink. IIo know tho
brink of danger on which no stood, and by
no one was that danger moro wildly appre-
ciated than by him. No man living more
thoroughly dospi5od the gambler than ho.
No man was farther from being u yoluuta-
ry inobriate than no.
In our lato arguments in favor of an Asy-
lum for IncbratCs, VIC had our murdered
friend, more than any other man, in our eye
He was not wilful in his dcpaI lures from
sobriGty. For years and years, and up to
perhaps ;hrco years since, has he boen as
exemplary u man. as correct u man as our
city could boast. Illness, of nature thut
effected the tone of his stomach, led to tho
medical prescription of stimulants. He
first took them Us prescribed by our best
medical men, and before ho or his friends
wore aware Of his danger. he was in the
mysterious power Ola demon, whose power
no one beyond its influence. can appreciate
All of Nlr. Sterling's errors in conduct woro
the result Of int oxcation. In his hours of
reflection, fears, bitter tears, ropentant
tears, honest toars would stream down his
face in view of his calamity he sought
strength against his tomptor in prayer and
in toars. In justice to his momory we feel
that nothing connected oven with his closet
mo shoulu 10 Wtnnclu. fl's case, rs WO
boliUva, was one whore tho desire for stim.
ulants was discGsP, and such disease as,
az Hmes. no human strength could resist.
AS a correct, upright, hUnost, liberal bust
ness man the wholo city bear witness as
a friend, gulIGlGss and olfsacrificing as
public bGnoFactor as n neighbor, as a chris.
tian at heart and in his walk to the oXtont
of human strength, as II man who never
closed his car against tale Of suffer ing, as
ono who for friond would go us far as tho
farthcst. Mr.. STERLING was raro instance.
What moro can we say. We wish that
wherever the sad testimony Of his death
shall 10 read that there too shall be read
this tribute from ono who knew him init
mutely and who at times within very late
period, has boon admitted to his bosom coz
fidonco upon this lainontable error of his
later life.
AS to the dovelopemcnts brought out by
this tragedy, comment would seem unnoces.
snry. They startle the city, and yet they
but bring to the surface things well known
to a great many before. This sad event
reveals to tho light of day the abyss ynwn-
ing right in tho path of our sons, and well
may those who little dreamed of tho niqni-
ty of this city. hold up thoir hands and ex-
claim, "Can those things be ;"-Heraid.