The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-06-25
THE DRArH OF zgUpGE DOUGLAS.


A letter from 4 hicagos relates the following in
reafioh to the closing Of the life of Dad sc
Doaglas:EzS Hszaszsag go = s7-.s-.-- $50 r-7..
At abont eleven O'Clock. on Sunday morning,
Bshe2 Duggsn called, at the request Of friends
70 converse with Mr. Douglas. " ho then, for
the frststihfe, perfectly rational Dir Douglas i'm
mediafcly recognized the Bishop and expressed
hissErt icatioil at The visit. - $3.50.
.Mr Douglas, have you ever been baptized ac-
corning To the rites ofany church Z" Mir Douslas
repfed,s IA n ever -. ...5- - ..-...
The Bishar cdritin ued-'' Do You desire to have
mass said after the ordinances OF the holy Catholic
church y = No sir; when / do | will couluuui-
cate with you free y." .s. ...
Tl:e Bishop ther, turned to Mr. Rhodes and said:
" Do you think he is fully possessed of his mental
facnlties" M Rhodes replied Il DO not know
--Ferhaps you had better ask bin again"
he Bishop repeated the question, to which
Mr. Douglas answered. in strong full voice: ~ on,
perhaps, did not understand me. When | desire
it, ! viii Communicate with you freely
The Bishop then remarked to Mr. Rhodes, "lIe
is undoubtedly in his @ht mind and does de-
sire my Offices He then Withdrew.
During the day Sunday Mr. Douglas seemed
to be -much better aud suong hopes were enter
tanned Of bis Gecpvory; he slept most OF the day,
and in~the evening seemed much rcireshed Mrs
Jou"las and Mr. Rhodes remained with him dur
ing The night. Ar about four on Monday morning
he seemed to be much wolsc, and sank rapidly;
his friends sent for. aud at the request OF
Mrs. Douglas, Bishop Duegan again visited him.
SOon'after the Bishop entered. he approached the
bedside, aud addressing the patient, SAID:
I" Mr. Douglas, you know your condition fully,
and in view Of your approaching dissolution do
ytQ desire the eerenony Of extreme unction to be
porf'nmcd!" stlr Douglas replied :" No, have
no time tn discuss these things now"
The Bishop then withdrew After he had gone
Mrs Douglas requested Mr. Rhodes to ask her
husband if he desired the niniSfrationS of any
other Clergyman. Sir Rhodes then sad to Mir.
EnnglHs. - 10 yon know the cergvrucn of this
city," TO which MIR Douglas replied, - Nearly
every one Of Them 80
Mr. Rhedes:" To you wish to have either or any
of-then to eail inseu you. to Converse upon re-
ligious sub jec's ?" Dir Dou@l4s No, thank
you" s-s-as7- ..s1 .a- .-
-SAton after This. about five oclock. he desired to
have his position in tie bed changed the blinds
opened and the windows raised Mr Rhodes liilcd
him to easier position, where he could look out
upon the street and drink in the fresh morning
air. For few lhdnIt Hts he seemed 10 Gain new
life fhcn he began to sink away; his eyes par
tally closed, and in slow aud measured cadeuces
with considerable pause between each accent, he
uttered: ".Ileath death Death 1T
After This be sccfrd In revive slightly and Mr.
Rhodes asked him whether he had any message to
send to his mother, or sister Sarah or his boys.
Hobby and :; Steyie;' to which ne made no re-
1y, evidently not understanding the question
Mrs EonYlas then Placed her arms around his
neck and said, = My dear. 90 you know Cousin
ran? Yes -. he replied.
Mrs Douglas. then. continued {" Your boys
Roti'y and Steve, aud your mother aud sister
Sarah--hHve ynn nn7 nrs>age for them ?" The
dying man rcIlied-" Tel Them To obey tie laws
aud sun orr he Constitutional the United States
At about five och ok. III Miller came into the
mi,and noticing the 81 en- shutters and windows
inquired "Nhy have YOU all these windows
raised and 50 much I-sht?' Mr. Douglas replied,
Sot bat we San have fresh air
AT AlI douglas request, Mr. Rhodes changed
the dying man 5 postum again in the bed for the
last tiue., lie now lay rather down in the middle
Of the bed upom his LETT side his head slightly
bent forward and rff he pillow. His wife sat
beside him, ard lcaing tcnderly over him, sob
bing. Mr. Rhodes remarked to Mrs Douglas &" |
anyarad he does DOT lie comfurabIe;" in reply to
Which Mr. DoualaS said, He is very comfortahle "
These wcrr his last nteIligibio words From
i've clock he speeches.. but evidently re
tanned his Consciousness. Whom. ii few moments
before his death, lis wife leaned over him aud
sol tirpiv isked. Husband, do you know me
will yen kiss mc?' lie raised his eyes and smiled,
and though Too week to srcak. ii e movement OF
the muscles -of-his mouth. evidenced that he was
making an almost dying struggle to comply with
her reqnCSt His death calm and peaceful;
a few faint breatts after nine o'clock slight
raullnG Of his throat; a short. quick, convul<ive
sLpdler, and Stephen 4. Douglas had passed from
tine INTO eternity ~ En-