The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-06-20
The Last Hours of Mr. Douglas.

qnest OF some friends to converse with
Mr.. Douglas, who was then, for the first
time in AZ hours, perfectly RATIONAL
Mr.. Douglas i'm mediately recognized the
bishop. and expressed his qualification a
the visit Bishop Duggau soon asked:
"Mr Douglas have you ever been bap
tized according to the rites Of any
church, Mr. Douglas replied
Never"
The Bishop cont;nued-"Do you de-
sire to have mass said after the ordinan
ces of the holy Catholic Church." The
answer wac:
"No, cir: when ! do l will com muni
cate with you freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr.. Rhodes
and said:
DO you think he is fully possessed o.
his mental facultiesl' Mr.. Rhodes re.
piled, Il do not know, perhaps you bad
better ask him again" The Bishop re
peated bis question, to which Mr.. Doug.
las answered, in strong, full voice:-
You perhaps did not understand me
When | desire it, | will communicate
with you freely
The Bishop then remarked to Mr.
Rhodes. "He is undoubtedly in bis right
mind, and does not desire my Offices. y
He then withdrew.
During the day Sunday Mr.. Dougla.
seemed to be much better, and strong
hopes were entertained of bis recovery;
he slept most of the day. aud in the even
ing seemed much refreshed. Mrs. Doug
las and Mir Rhodes remained with him
during the night. At about four o'clock
on Monday morning he seemed to be
much worse, and sank rapidly; BIZ friends
were sent for and at the request of Mrs.
Douglas. Bishop Duggan yi-itcd him a.
gain. Soon after the Bishop entered, be
approached the bedside, and addressing
the patient. said:
"Mr. Douglas. you know your oxn
condition fully, and in view of your ap-
proachDg dissolution do you desire the
ceremony of extreme JUNCTION to be per-
formed!"
Mr.. Douglas replied:-
mo, | have no time to discuss these
things now"
I The Bishop then withdrew. After he
had gone Mrs Douglas requested Mr.
Rhodes to ask her husband if be desired
the ministratioD of any clergyman. Mr..
Rhodes then said to Mr. Doug las:-
"Do ycu know the clergymen of this
cityl" To which Mr.. Douglas replied:-
Nearly every one Of them"
Mr.. Rhodes-Do you wish to have
either or any Of them call to sec you to
converse upon religious subjected
Mr.. Douglas-No. thank you.
Soon after this, about 6Ve O'clock, be
desired to have bis position iu bed
changed, the blinds opened aud the win
dows raised. Mr. Rhodes lifted bin to
an easier posture. where he could lock
out in the street, and drink in the fresh
morning air For a few moa ents be
seemed to gain new life. Then be tesaD
to sink away. bis eyes partially closed
and 10 slow and measured cadeuces, with
considerable pause between each accent,
he uttered:-
ID. D.atbl-Deathl!-DeathIl!"
After this be seemed to revive slightly,
and Mr.. Rhodes asked him whether he
had any message to send to bis mother,
or sister Sarah, or his boys, "Robby" and
"Stevie," to which he made no reply, ev-
identity not understanding the question.
Mrs. Douglas then placed her arm around
bis neck and said
"My dear, do you know Cousin DAM"
"Yes!' be replied.
Mrs Douglas continued
Your boys, Robby and Stevie, your
mother and sister Sarah-have you any
message for thenl"
The dying man replied:-
"Tell them to obey the laws and sup
port the Constitution of the United
States.
At about five O'Clock Mr.. Miller came
iuto the room. and noticing the open
shutters and windows inquired
why have you all those window rais-
ed and so much light"
Mr.. Douglas replied
$50 that we can have fresh air"
AT Mr.. Douglas request, Mr. Rhodes
changed the dying mans position again
in bed for the last time. He now lay
gather down in the middle of the bed,
upon bis LEFT side. his head slightly bert
forward and off the pillow. His wife sat
beside him-holding bis right hand 10
both of hers, and leaning tenderly over
him, sobLing.
Mr.. Rhodes remarked to. Mrs. Doug
las:
Il am afraid he does not lie conforta.
ble;" in reply to which Mr. Douglas
said
He is-very comfortable"
These wero his last intelligent words.
From 6ve O'Clock be was speechless,
but evidently retained bis consciousness.
When few moments before his death,
his wife leaned lovingly oser him and
aobbiugly asked, "Hu1t and, do you know
mel will you kiss mel" he raised his eyes
and smiled, and though too weak to speak,
the moyements of the muscles OF his