Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-12
Drestott Yournal
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Douglas is Dead.


The greatest of American Statesman
is DEAD. Stricken down in the very
prime and vigor of his life, when in this
hour of peril the Country needs bis wis
dom and power to adjust the difficulties
of the nation.
We have noticed the public career of
Mr.. Douglas. In domestic life, he was
married April 7, 1917, to Miss Martha
D. Martin. OF Rockingham county, N. c.,
by whom he had three children, two Of
whom are living. She died Jan. 10,
1853. He was again married Nov. 90,
1856, to Miss Adele Cuts, daughter Of
James Madison Cults, Esq, second comp
troIler Of the Treasury, by whom he had
daughter, who died about year and
half ago.
We have some touching incidents Of
his last lines. "Iu his waking hours"
SAYS the Chicago Tribune, "as well rs in
those moments when the violence of his
disease unseated his great intellect, Eo
was busy with national events, and the
conflict that is now upon us. 1t was bis
last wish that the work which will regen-
crate the country while rescueing it from
its enemies, should go rapidly on. To
one, in wandering moment, he said,
81 station you at the Relay House
Move on" To another he asked, "Why
do you stand still let us pass on! Let
us to Alexandria, quick.' To still IN
other he said, telegraph to the Presi
dent, and let the column move on
And so, throughout the progress of the
disease which struck him down-he was
thinking of his country and her peril
At Washington, IN his imaginings, and
in the command far which nature had
fitted him, and which would have been
bestowed had he lived, he seemed to d-
rect victory. And when the lucid inter
raIs caue, he was, if not so emphatic,
not lees sincere. The salvation Of the
Republic, was uppermost in his thoughts
by day and by night His own condi-
ton, the imminent peril of death, his
compl Gated affairs, gave him no concern.
Almost his last coherent words, were mn
ardent wish for the honor and prosperity
of the Republic. by d feat and dispersion
of her enemies"
The details of his last illness arc thus
given in the Tribune:
His primary attack was acute rheu-
matism, which rapidly assumed typhoid
character, and continued from the first
very unyicsling. After some ten or
twelve days, his malady was conpIicat-
ed b, an liberated sore throat, which
soon yielded. Torpof of the liver and
constipation of the bowels ensucd, soon
followed by q jaundiced condition, &C
comranied BY poisoning of the blt oil,
which Frustrated his nervous system still
more.
"a wandering and delirious state ac-
companied his illness more or less from
ITS inception to his fatal close. At such
times rs he was rational last week, he
seemed aware the grave fears enter
tanned in his behalf, and on one occasion
said to those about bin, that he knew
his constitution So much better than they
did, he felt confident he should cover
from the attack. Doubtless his will ard
courage, joined TO his great physical pow
ers. had much 70 do with his SO long
continuing 10 resist ma!ady before
which feei,ier men would have rapidly
sutcumbed.
Throughout Saturday it was feared
lie could mt survive many hours. AS
night-fall drew near, without any positive
change having taken place in bis disease,
Re vet seemed easier. and so passed the
nigh. He had only brief intervals of
consciousness after this, but lay III n
quiet state. gradually but surely sinking.
At times he briefly rallied, but it WAS not
10 clcar conception of what was transpir-
ing about him. On one occasion indeed
it was evident that memory and habit of
mind was strong in the dying statesman,
and that his thoughts. were once more
in the Senate Chamber. One of his
physicians Or. Hay was administering a
blister. VIVA: are you doing?" asked
the patient, "stop, there are twenty
against me, the measure is defeated"
AT an early hour yesterday morning,
June 81 he had an interval of rallying.
was rational, co.. versed briefly with
those about him and then sank gently
and quietly until 10 minutes past nine
A. NJ. whea he breathed bis last quietly,
and without struggle"