Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-09
THOMAS STARE KING.
Sketch Of his Last moments---HIs Death
and Buriai,

Sketch Of his Last mOmenfs---His Death
and Burial.
We have already given our readers an
account Of the death of Rev. 7. Starr King,
which occurred at San Francisco on Fri
day, March 4th. A San Francisco letter
gives a brief account Of his late and last
sickness, his death and burisl, which may
not be uninteresting to the general reader.
About two weeks previous, Mr.. King
first complained Of having a sore throat,
and was advised by his friends to be care
ful Of himself, and not expose his throat TO
the night air. He thought, however, that
it WAS nothing but common sore throat,
and did not consult his physician until
Friday, February 26th, just one week be-
fore his death. On the evening Of the
same day February 26th) he had his reg
ular reception, and went down to a social
gathering Of his church betWaen 10 and II
o'clock, though still suffering.
On Saturday evening he had invited q
number Of his friends to supper, but was
SO unWell ss to be unable to appear at the
table. While the supper was going on,
however, a couple came to be married, and
insisted on having the ceremony perform
ed by Mr.. King, even if they had to 20 to
his chamber. Rather than subject them
to this inconvenience, and to crafty their
long cherished and strong dasire, Mr. King
prepared himself and went down to the
parlor, where the ceremony was performed
which, thought short, so prostrated him
that he had te be carried to his bed. On
Sunday morning his congregation were
startled by the announcement that he was
unable to preach. His disease was pro-
nounced viruient case of diptheria, and
the physian said that he ought to have
been called week earlier. His diptheris
increased in strength, but on Wednesday
it was supposed to be under medical con-
troll.
On Thursday, however, he was attack
ed by pneumonia, and experienced great
difficulty Of respiration. DR.. Eekel ex-
pressed fears of his recovery, but his won
derful recuperstiVe powers carried him
through, and stimulants were administer
ed. He seemed to be getting along remsr-
kably well until o'clock Friday morn
ing, when he was attacked by dyspnes.
When attacked by pneumonia, DIR. King
remarked thai he knew what it was, aRd
called it by name. But when the second
attack came he asked the doctor what it
was, and was told dyspnea. " Can 1 sur
vive it 2" said Mr.. King. The doctor said
he thought not. "HoW long can l live p
81 Not half an hour 2" Are you sure
l cant live longor than thst2" al
fear not" said the doctor. Friends then
asked him if he had anything to say.
Yes great deal to say l want first to
make my will" Up TO this time he had
not been able to speak above q whisper
but responding to the power of his will,
his voice now resumed its old power and
tone, and he spoke almost as loud as ever.
A friend sat by his bedside and wrote
his viii as dictated by Mr.. King. 1t was
afterwards read to him, and he sssented to
its correctness by saying, " 1t is just as l
want it" He then hesitsted q moment
and dictated an important correction. A
pen was given him, and he signed it in
his usual bold hand ,punctuating the abbre-
Walton Of his name and drawing the ac-
customel flourish under 1t. Then came
the sad task Of bidding friends good
bye" One by one they came up to his
bedside. he greeted them with q cheerful
smile, as though he was only going on 8
journey of day or two. Some one asked
him how he felt, he said, Happy, resign
ed, trustful," and then repeated the TWEEN
ty-third Psalm in clear and we'll modu-
lated voice. At the verse, Yea, though l
walk through the valley Of the shadow Of
death, fear no evil, for Thou art with me-
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me-"
he raised his finger and his eyes as cslmy
ss if in his pulpit. After this exertion
his strength seemed to fail him, and sink
ing back into his bed, he exclaimed " 1t
is all right for me, but she will feel it -
pULnun8 " nIs WIte. FRIENDS again gath
cred around him, and he smiled them
good bye. His little son was brought in
(born since his arrival here), and said,
" Dear little fellow he's beautiful boy "
kissing his hand to the child as the
nurse carried it away. This was his last
act on earth. Calmly closing his eyes he
seemed to go to sleep. A great and good
man Was dead. Thus has passed from
earth, in the midst Of his usefulness and in
the prime of life, wonderful man, the like |
of whom we shall not soon see. He was a
star Of the first magnitude, and the great |
est orator on this coast. He has few supe- |
riors anywhere. On the day Of his fune-
raj there were over ten thousand people in
and around the church. He was buried /
with masonic honors, and in vault in
front of his pulpit.