Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-29

to his bedside, when he requested her to 70
down into his room, and take from his desk
two wills which she would find there, and
bring them TO him, which she did. Upon
looking at them, he gave her one, which he
observed was useless, a. being superseded by
the other, and desired her to burn Il. which
she did, and took the other and put il into her
closet.
AFTER this was done, l returned TO his
bedside and took his hand. lie said 10 me
l find am going; my breath cannot lest
long. believed from the first that tho dIsor.
der would prove fatal. Do you arrange eli
my military letters and papers. Arrange my
accounts and settle my books, a. you know
more about them than any one else and lei
Mr.. Rawlins finish recording my other letters
which he has begun told him this would
be done. lie then asked me il rccollccted
anything which It was essential for him 10 do,
as he had very short time to continue with
US. ! told him that could recollect nothing
but that hoped ne WAS not 30 near his end
He observed, smiling, that he certainly was,
and that as 1t was the debt which VIC must
oil pay, lie looked to the event with perfect
resignation"
In the course Of the afternoon he appeared
to be in great pain and distress from the dif.
iicu'ty OF breathing, and frequently changed
his posture In the bed. Mr.. Lear endeavored
to raise him and turn him with as much ease
as possible. "I am afraid fatigue you too
much," the General would say. Upon being
assured TO the contrary" Well" observed
he, gratefully, sit is debt we must paw to
each other, and hope when you want aid OF
this kind you will find it."
His servant Christopher had been in the
room during the day, and almost the whole
time on his feet The General noticed it in
the afternoon, and kindly told him to sit down.
About 8 o'clock his old friend DR.. Craik.
came again into the room and approached the
bedside
"Doctor," said the General, "I die hard,
but am not afraid to 20. I believed, from
my first attack, that should not survive it
my breath cannot last long, The doctor
pressed his hand in silence, retired from the
bedside and sat by the fire, absorbed in grief
Between five and six the other physicians
came in, and he was assisted to sit up in bis
bed. e. feel ] am going" said he; thank
you for your attentions, but I pray you ia
take no moro trouble about me let me 20
off quietly; cannot last long" lie Law down
again; all retired except Dr. Craik. The
General continued uneasy and restless. but
without complaining, frequently asking what
hour 1t was.
| Further remedies were tried without avail
in the evening. lie took whatever was offered
him, did as he was desired by the physicians
and never uttered a sigh or complaint.
"About ten o'clock" writes Mr.. Lear, "hC
made several attempts to speak to me before
he cOuId effect it. At length he said, {" ar
just going. Have me deccntly buried, and
do not let my body be put into the vault in
less than three days after am dead"
bowed assent. for ! could not speak. lie then
looked at inc again and said, DO you under
stand mc!' replied, Yes '"ris well, said
he.
"About ten minutes before he expired (Which
was between ten and eleven o'clock, on the
night Of December IA, 1902 his breathing
became easier. lie lay quietly nc withdrew
his hand from mine and felt his own pulse.
saw his countenancc change. spoke to DR.
Crnik, who sat by the fire. lie came to the
bedside. The Generals hand fell from his
wrist. took it in minc and pressed it to my
bosom. Dr. Craik put his hand over his eyes,
and he expired without a struggle or . sigh.
"Whilc VIC were fixed in silent grief, Mrs
Washington, who was seated at the foot Of the
bed, asked with q firm and collected voice,
Is he gomez could not speak, but held up
my hand as n signal that he was no more
"ris well, said she, In the same voice. AN
is now over; shall soon follow him have
no more trials to pass through"