The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-02-06
THE DEATH OF RALPH FARNHAM-
THE BUNKER HILL VETERAN.
HIS LAST LoURS.

The Boston IrduelIer OF Saturday details the
death Of Ralph Farnham, e last survivor of the
battle of Bunker Hill. Fran its coums we ex
tract the following:
"After Mr.. Farnham's return from Boston, his
health seemed rather TO improve than to be i'm.
paired, and he often spoke in the most gratifed
manner of the result of the excursion. II feel
younger than a year ago. and my health new.
er was so good" were common remarks with
him.
About four weeks ago he got up one morning
as usual, and was pouring some hot water from a
tea kettle to wash with, when his sons wife OBJ
served his hand to tremble, and he was noticed
TO turn pale as if about to faint. Mrs. Farnham
took hold Of the kettle, and, and as he seemed
to grow more faint, finally assisted him TO lie
down. He lay some time, but finally got up to
eat breakfast. 1t was noticed that his appetite
was not so good as usual, and he seemed to act
as if something was choking him. He remained
in this condition number of days, but finally
improved and was again quite well. After this
he often brought in his own wood as usual, and
continued in excellent health until last Saturday,
when he was again slightly i'll.
HIS LAST CONVERSATION.
On Tuesday afternoon, while his sons wife
the roOm." She replied, " Father do YOU think
there are?" "Oh, yes" said he, " the room is
full of them, and they have come to assist me
home" While Mr.. Miller was there he said to
him: "Don't leave me till get home to glory"
On Wednesday morning, about an hour and
half before his death, he attempted to raise him.
self in bed, and almost succeeded in doing SO,
but falling, asked to be raised up, uttering his
last words, "raise me up little higher-there."
A short time before his death he was convers-
ing with his grandson on the subject of the troub.
les at the South. His language on this occasion,
as nearly as can be recollected, was as follows !:
81 believe these troubles will all come out right
in the END, and that the Union will not be broken
up. Imay net live to see the difficulties all see
tied, but they will be. l hope and wish the
whole country well. have no doubt Mr.. Lin
coin will do justice and bring South Carolina
right. have great confidence in his ability to
govern the nation and prevent it from being bro
ken up"
A short time before his death he repeated the
l4th verse of the first chapter Of Hebrews
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth
to minister to them who shall be heirs of saliva.
tion?"
At the last election he was unable to 60 to the
polls on account of the rain, and this circum.
stance puined him much. He was very fond of
Lincoln, always alluding to him as the Rail Split
ter;' but with all his enthusiasm in favor of his
own party, he was not bigoted at all, nor cid he
ever dispute with his neighbOrs upon political
questions, though he often conversed with them
on the state of the country, up to the time of
his death.
On Monday afternoon he was engaged in
prayer for some time, and on Tuesday morning,
as soon as he got up, he knelt by his bed and
engaged in earnest prayer.
Many of his conversations OF late have related
to his visit to Boston. He seemed to regard this
trip with great deal of pride. On one occasion
he spoke of the distinguished visitors who came
to see him at the Revere House. "One day."
said he, edward Everett came 10 see me. /
can't remember much he said to me, except that
l asked him who was going to be President, and
he replied, ITS hard telling who will be Presi-
dent till after the election One day Governor
Banks and Mrs. Banks came to see me, and each
of them made me present. Mrs. Banks kissed
me, and don't recoect that | ever felt so en-
La--asS,d in all my life "a Al whom 7 fnnnd
the Governors wife was going to kiss me.