Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-06-12
THE LAST HOURS OF SENATOR DOUG.
From the CHICAGO Tr;bune


.s . 3. Las.
From the Chicago Tribune
lt was not until some ten days since that
Senator Douglass illness assumed an alarming
type From the first he mad been attended by
some OF our best medical talent and latterly IL
was thought desirable to summon hitber DR..
Miller, OF Washington, in whose care Mr..
Douglas has passed through former severe ILL
ness. DR.. Miller and the " Washington relatives
of Mrs. Douglas reached Chicago on the 18th
ult., and since then have been closely in
attendance upon him.
Throughout the latter part of last week, Mr..
Douglass condition was deemed extremely
critical, with the chances against his recovery
Hls primary attack was acute rheumatism,
which rapidly assumed typhoid character,
and continued from the first very unyielding
After some ten or twelve days, his malady was
complicated by an liberated sore throat, which
soon yielded. Torpor Of the liver and consti-
patton OF the bowels ensued, soon followed by
aJuandiced condition, accompanied by poison
ing of the blood, which Frustrated his nervous
system still more
wandering and delirious state accompa-
MED his illness more or less from its inception
to its fatal close. At such times az he was
rational, last week, he seemed aware of the
grave fears entertained in his behalf and on
one occasion said to those about him, that he
knew his constitution so much better than tt ey
did, he felt confident that he should recover
from the attack. Doubtless his will and cour-
age, .oined to his great physical power, had
much to do with his long continuing to resist a
malady before which feebler men would have
rapidly succumbed.
Throughout Saturday it was feared he could
not survive many hours. As night-fall drew
near, without any positive change having
taken place IN his disease, he yet seemed
easier, and so passed the night. He had only
brief intervals of consciousness after this but
lay In quiet state, gradually but surely sink
ing. At times he briefly rallied, but it was not
" clear perception of what was transpiring
about him. On one occasion indeed il was
evident that memory and habit of mind was
strong in the dying statesman, and that his
thoughts were once more in the Senate Cham
Der. One Of his physicians, DIR. Hay, was ad-
ministering blister. ''What are you doing 3'
asked the patient; stop, there are twenty
against me-the measure is defeated
At an early hour yesterday morning he had
an interval of rallying, was rational, conversed
briefly with those about him, and then sank
gently and quietly until ten minutes past nine
a. m, VIXEN he breathed his last, quietly and
without a struggle.
His devoted and loving wife remained with
him to the last moment. Madison Cults, his
brother-in-law, Miss Young, of the fremont
House, B. u. Caulheld, anu DR.. Hay were also
present.
gives the following account:
At about ii O'Clock on Sunday morning Bish
op Dugan called, at the request of friends, TO
converse with Mr.. Douglas, who was then, fer
the first time, perfectly rational. Mr.. Douglas
Immediately recognized the Bishop, and ex-
pressed his qualification at the visit. Bishop
Dugan sOen asked:
:" Mr.. Douglas, have you been baptized ac-
cording to the rites of church ?" Mr. Doug
las replied
Never"
The Bishop continued: Do you desire to
have mass said after the ordinances Of the holy
Catholic church 2'' The answer was
"No, sir; when I do will communicate
with you freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr.. Rhodes and
said
" Do you think he is fully possessed of his
mental faculties ?" Mr. Rhodes replied " I
do net know; perhaps you had better ask him
again" The Bishop repeated his question, to
winch Mr.. Douglas answered, in strong, full
voice:
g You perhaps did not understand me. When
desire It will communicate with you freely"
The Bishop then remarked to Mr. Rhodes
de is undoubtedly in hi, right mind, and does
not desire my Offices" He then withdrew
During the day Sunday Mr. Douglas seem
ed to be much better, and strong hopes were
entertained of his recovery. He Slept most of
the day, and in the evening seemed much re.
fresbed. Mrs. Douglas and Mr. Rhodes remain
ed with him during the night. At about four
o'clock on Monday morning he seemed to be
much worse, and sank rapidly; his friends
were sent for, and at the request of Mrs. Doug
las, Bishop Dugan again visited him. Soon az
ter the Bishop entered, he approached the bed
side, and addressing the patient, said
MT Douglas, you know your own condition
fully, and in view of your approaching disso-
luton, do you 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 he had gone
Mrs Douglas requested Mr.. Rhodes TO ask ner
husband 1t he desired the ministrations of any
other clergyman. Mr.. Rhodes then said to
Mr.. Douglas
. Do You know the clergymen of this city ?''
To which Mr.. Douglas replied
Nearly every one Of them"
Mr.. Rhodes Do you wish to have either
or any Of them call to see you 70 converse upon
religious subjects?"
Mr.. Douglas No, I thank YOU
Soon after this, about Eve clock, he desired
to have his position in bed changed the blinds
opened, and the windows raised Mr. Rhod es
lifted him 20 an easier postsre, where he coald
look out upon the street, and drink in the fresh
morning air. For few moments he seemed
to gain new life. Then he began to sink away