The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-06-19
Last Hours of Senator Douglas.


of May. Ho was somewhat indisposed |
at the time with the incipient stages of
infammatory rheumatism, and called in
medical assistance the nextday. His pri-
mary attack rapidly assumed typhoid
character, and continued from the first
very unyielding, After some ten or
twelve days, his attack was complicated
by an liberated sore threat, which soon
yielded. Torpor of the liver and consti-
patton Of the bowels ensued, soon follow
cd by japndiced condition, which pros
trated his nervous system still moro. On
Sunday, at / p. NJ, slight change for
the worse was manifest, and hope left all
hearts; his physicians, without relaxing
their efforts, it was now apparent, could
do no more. His respiration became OPP
pressed, and continued to fail almost inn
perceptibly till A. NJ, on Monday,
when his decline became more rapid, and
at 9: IL he ceased to breathe.
The following account Of his last hours
will be better understood when it is re-
.membered that Mrs. Douglas is connect
ed with the Catholic Church:
= AT about ii o'clock on Sunday morn
ing Bishop Duggan called at the request
of friends to converse with Mr.. Douglas,
who was then, for the first time, perfect
ly rational. Mr.. Douglas Immediately
recognized the Bishop, and expressed his
qualification at the visit. Bishop Dug
gan soon asked: 4 mn
''Mr. Douglas, have you ever been bap-
TIED according to the rites of any church"
Mr.. Douglas replied: " Never"
"Do you desire to have mass said after
the ordinances of the holy Catholic
church,"
"No, sirSwhen ! do / will communi-
cate with you freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr.. Rhodes
and said "Do you think he is possess
ed cf his mental faculties 2"
Mr.. Rhodes replied, II do not know
perhaps you had better ask him again. "
The Bishop repeated his question, to
which Mr.. Douglas answered in 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 moi desire my Offices. >
He then withdrew.
During the day Sunday Mr.. Douglas
seemed to be much better, and strong
hopes were entertained of his recovery
he slept most of the day, and in the eve
ming seemed much refreshed. Mrs. Doug.
las and Mr.. Rhodes remained with him
during the night. AT about four o'clock
on Monday morning he seemed to be
much worse, and sank rapidly; his friend;
were sent for, and at the request of Mrs
Douglas, Bishop Duggan again visited
him. Soon after the Bishop entered, he
approached the bedside, and addressing
the patient, said:
{" Mr.. Douglas, you know your owr
condition fully, and in view of your ap
, preaching dissolution do you desire the
ceremony of extreme JUNCTION to be per
formed ~
Mr.. Douglas replied: No, l have NJ
time to discuss these things now"
The Bishop then withdrew. After h,
f had gone, Mrs. Douglas requested Mr.
! Rhodes TO ask her husband if he desired
the ministrations of any other clergyman
Mr.. Rhodes then said to Mr.. Douglas:
"Do you know the clergymen of thi
4 cityT To which Mr.. Douglas replied
!. " Nearly every one of them"
Mr.. Rhodes Do you wish to hav,
either or any of them call to see you t,
y converse upon religious subjects?'
= Mr.. Douglas" No, l thank YOU"
Soon after this, about five o'clock, h
desired to have his position in bed chang
- ed, the blinds opened, and the window
G raised. Mr.. Rhodes lifted him to an en-
d sier posture, where he could look out up
on the street, and drink in the fresh morn
ing air For few moments he SCENE,
> to gain new life. Then he began to sinl
d away; his eyes partially closed, and il
n slow and measured cadences, with consid
II cradle pause between each accent, he ut
!. tered: DEATH death Death! r'
After this he seemed to revive slightly
u and Mr.. Rhodes asked him whether h
It had any message TO send to his mother
If or sister Sarah, or his boys, "Robby" an,
, "Stevie;" TO which he made no reply, ov
> identity not understanding the question
J. Mrs. Douglas then placed her arm aroun
5, his neck and said:
II "Your boys, Robby and Steyic, an
q your mother and sister Sarah-have 20,
any message for them?"
The dying man replied: "TELL rHEr
d TO OBEY THE LAWS AND SUPPORT TIL
l. CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
At about five o'clock DR.. Miller cam
into the room, and noticing the open shut
: tiers and windows, inquired, "Why hav
: YOU all these windows raised and so mucl
= lightW
n Mr. Douglas replied: $50 that we cal
:, have fresh air."
- AT Mr.. Douglas request, Mr.. Rhode
Il changed his position again in the bed 70
y the last time. He now lay rather in tn