The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-06-15

...Elis Conversations wiIh his RamH1
and she Catholic Bishop. rs
Wehave already published from the Chicago
papers the general facts respecting Senator
Douglas death. A letter which we find in the
New York Herald, however, contains 30 many
| additional details, that We reproduce it nearly
| entire: 5a
At about II o'clock on Sunday morning
Bishop Duggan called at the request Of friends
to converse with Mr. Douglas, who was then, fol-
the first time, perfectly, rational. Mr.. Douglas
Immediately recognized the Bishop, and cx
pressed his qualification at the visit.
Bishop Duggan soon asked: "Mr. Dougl 8,
have you ever been baptized according to the
rites of any church,"
Mr.. Douglas replied, "Ncvcr"
The Bishop continued: "Do you desire to
have mass said after the ordinance Of the holy
Catholic Church,"
The answer was: s'No, sir; when do, viii
communicate with you freely"
The Bishop then turned 10 Mr.. Rhodes, and
said: 'Do you think h- is fully possessed Of his
mental facultiesg"
Mr.. Rhodes replied, Il do not know-per-
haps you had better ask him again"
The Bishop repeated his question, to which
Mr.. Douglas answered, in strong full voice.
You perhaps did not understand me. When
desire it. l will communicate with you freely"
The Bishop then remarked to Mr.. Rhodes,
"He is undoubtedly in his right mind, and does
| not desire my Offices" He then withdrew
During the day Sunday Mr.. Douglas seemed
to be much better, and strong hopes were en-.
tertained of his recovery; he slept most of the
day, and in the evening seemed much refreshed
Mrs. Douglas and Mr.. Rhodes remained with him
during the night. At about o'clock on Mon.
day morning he seemed to be much worse, and
sank rapidly; his friends were sent for, and at
the request Of Mrs. Douglas, Bishop Duggan
again visited him. Soon after the Bishop enter
ed, he approached the bedside, and addressing
the patient, said:
'iMr. Douglas, you know your own condition
fully, and in view Of your approaching dissolu-
ton do you desire the ceremony of extreme
JUNCTION to be performed?"
Mr. Douglas replied: "No, have no time to
discuss these things now"
The Bishop then withdrew. After he had
gone, Mrs. Douglas requested Mr. Rhodes to ask
any other clergyman.
Mr. Rhodes then said to Mr. Douglas: "Do You
know the clergymen of this city,"
To which Mr.. Douglas replied: "Nearly every
one of them.n
Mr. Rhodcs-"Do you wish to have either or
any of them call to see you to converse upon
religious subiects?"
"Mr. Douglas-"No, thank YOU"
Soon after this, about o'clock, he desired to
have his position in bed changed, the blinds
opened and the windows raised. Mr.. Rhodes
lifted him to an easier posture, where he could
look out upon the street, and drink in the fresh
morning air. For a few moments he seemed to
gain new life. Then he began to sink away; his
fia1lv olO md in lou md
cadences, with considerable pause between each
accent, he uttered:ss..
!-Death!!-Death!"
After this he seemed to revive slightly, and
Mr.. Rhodes asked him whether he had any mes.
sage to send to his mother, or sister Sarah, or
his boys, "Robby" and 'Stevie," to which he
made no reply, evidently not understanding the
question
Mrs. Douglas then placed her her arm around
bis neck, and said my dear, do you know
Cousin Dan?'' aa
eyes" he replied
Mrs Douglas continued: 'Your boys, Robby
and Stevie, and your mother and sister Sarah
have you any message for them?"
The dying man replied: "Te them to obey
the laws and support the Constitution of the
United States"
At about 5 o'clock DR.. Miller came into the
room, and noticing the open shutters and win
dows, inquired: "Why have you all these win
dows raised and so much light?"
Mr.. Douglas replied: $50 that we can have
fresh air."
At M Douglas request, Mr.. Rhodes changed
the dying mans position again in the bed for the
last time. He now lay farther down in the mid
die Of the bed, upon his left side, his head
slightly bent forward and Of tie pillow. His
wife sa. beside him, holding his right hand in
hoe a,,I 1,a dol
bing.
Mr.. Rhodes remarked to Mrs. Douglas Il am
afraid he does not lie comfortable" in reply to
which Mr.. Douglas said: 'He is-very comfort
blen
These were his last Ineligible words. From
O'Clock he was spcechless, but evidently re-
tanned his consciousness. When, few moments
before his death, his wife leaned lovingly over
him and sobbingly asked, Husband, do you
know me, will you kiss meg" he raised his eyes
and smiled, and Though too weak to speak, the
movements of the muscles of his mouth evil
denced that he was making an almost dying
struggle to comply with her request.
His death was calm and peaceful; few faint
breaths after 9 o'clock; a slight rafting of his
throat; short quick, convu!sive shudder, and
Stephen A. Douglas had passed from time into
eternity.
Mr.. Douglas leaves two sons-Robert Martin,
aged thirteen, and Stephen Arnold, Jr., aged
eleven years-who are now at Georgetown Col
lege. These, with his wife, are the only mem
bers left OF his immediate family.
The dispatches which have reached General
Scott, giving the details Of the brilliant affair at
Philppi, twenty miles from Grafton, in West
ern Virginia, confirm in all particulars the dis
patches which reached US from Cincinnati. The
enemy were two thousand strong and the rout
was total, they leaving their arms and ammuni-
ton and fleeing for their lives.
DIED.