The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-24
hlisfellonp.
The Last Hours of Mr.. Douglas.

~ OulCaSO cOfIeSpoHucuV VI 'h' AAo' wv"
gives the following account:
At about eleven o'clock on Sunday morn
ing, Bishop Dugan called at the request OF
the friends, to converse with Mr. Douglas,
who was then for the first time perfectly ra-
lional. Mr.. Douglas immediately recognzcd
the Bishop, and expressed his qualification at
the visit. Bishop Dugan soon asked:
Mr. Douglas, have you ever been bap-
tizcd according to the rites of any church !
,lr. Douglas replied:
Never
The Bishop continued Do you desire
to have mass said after the ordinances OF the
holy Catholic church 2 The answer was
mo sir when l do l will converse with
you freely
The Bishop then turned to Mr.. Rhodes
and said DO you think he is fully possess
ed of his mental faculties g
Mr. Rhodes replied { | do not know
perhaps you had better ask him again.
The Bishop repeated his question, to which
Mr.. Douglas replied, in full strong voice:
=, You perhaps did not understand me
When | dese it, | will communicate with
you freely.
The Bishop then remarked to Mr.. Doug
las 8 He is unpoubtedIy in his right mind
) and does not desire my Offices He then
withdrew.
During the day (Sunday), Mr.. Doug las
seemed TO be much better, and strong hopes
were entertained 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.
j, At about four o'clock on Monday morning he
seemed to be much worse, and sank rapidly !;
his friends were seat for, and at the request
of Mrs. Douglas, Bishop Dugan again visited
him. Soon after the Bishop cn, n,ored, he ap'
preached the bedside, and addressing the pa
tient, said:
Mr.. Douglas, you know your own condl-
tion fully, and in view of your approaching
dissolution, do yoa desire the ceremony OF
extreme JUNCTION to be performed? =
Mr.. Douglas replied
mo. have no time to discuss these things
now
- The Bishop then withdrew. After ne had
= = gone, Mrs. Douglas requested MIR. Rhodes to
~ ask her husband if he desired the ministra'
tions Of any other clergyman. Mr.. Rhodes
N then said to Mr.. Doug glas
!. j. DO you know the ciergymen OF this city
at To which Mr.. Douglas replied
nc nc Nearly every one Of them
p Mr.. Rhodes Do you wish to have either
he or ayy of them call to see you to converse
" upon religious subjects =
d Mr.. Douglass No, | thank you
re re Soon after this about five O'Clock. he DC
d, sired to have his position in bed changed
nd nd the blinds opened and the windows ralsd.--
10 Mr.. Rhodes lifted him to an easier posture
he where he could look out upon the street, ane
mt mt drink in the fresh morning air. For a 1eV
ch moments he seemed to gain new life lhe'
be began to SINK away his eyes PARTIAL.
closed, and in SLOW and measured cadence
with considerable pause between each accent
he uttered:
Death Death !! Death !!
After this he seemed to revive slightly
and Mr.. Rhodes asked him whether he ha
any message to send TO his mother or slste
Sarah, or his boys, Robby' and Steve, t
md which he made no reply, evidently not under
standing the question. Mrs. Douglas me
placed her arms around his neck ana Salu
:. NV DEAR do you know Cousin Dan !
YES lie replied.
Mrs. Douglas continued
Your boys, Robbie and Stevie and yo'
mother and sister Sarah-have you any me
sage for them?
h The dying man replied
Tell them to obey the laws and suppo
tho Constitution Of The United States
" At about five o'clock DR.. Miller came in
-os- the room, and noticing the open shutters al
windows, inquired:
why have you all these windows raise
-, and SO much Light
Mr.. Douglas replied
So that We can have fresh air: ~,
,,n. At Mr.. Douglass request, Mr. hned
~ changed the dying mans position again
the bed for the last time. tie now lay rati'
this down in the middle OF the bed, upon his IL
ST. side, his head slightly bent forward and
the pillow His wife sat beside him, ho'
ing his right hand in both of hers and lea
ing tendcry over him, sobblng Mr.. hnoo
remarked to Mrs. Douglas:
Lin Il am afraid he does not lie comfortable
asa zaa in reply 10 which Mr.. Douglas said
lag ssi " He is-very comfortable
, anu These were his last ineligible words
From FIVE o'clock he was speechless. WI
-. r. r.s hofore his death, his "