Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-09-01
DEATH OF GOVERNOR BROUGH.


Hon. JOHN BRoUeH, Governor of Ohio, died
at his residence, No. 3I0 Prospect street, Cleve-
land, precisely at O'Clock Tuesday afternoon
last. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, in the
year 1911, and was, at the time of his death, 81
years of age.
1t is known that the Governor has been sick
for over two months, and for several days pre-
vious to his death his condition critical, but it
was not until two days before his death that his
recovery was considered hopeless. The pre-
disposing cause to his illness, was over labor
aud anxiety since the death of Mr.. Lincoln,
which produced morbid and unhealthy state
of the system. While in this condition, he
stepped upon small pebble which produced a
slight bruise The bruise became infamed and
sore and to relieve his foot, he walked heavily
on a cane, which produced the same condition
iu his left hand. Violent inflammation of the
periosteum and entire cellular structure of both
hand and foot followed, with phagadenic
sloughing and gangrene of the soft structure,
which was followed with much Initiative fever
and doterum death of some of the bones of the
toes, and also frequent hemorTages from slough
ing of small arteries and enormous abscesses in
different parts of the limbs and body. The
knife was freely used, the Governor having been
literally cut to pieces, and the barred parts eau
terized with nitric acid. But nothing would
arrest the inflammation or stop the gangrene from
extending up the leg to the body. He was re-
duced to a mere shadow before he died
MI flaf,
count of the last lucid moments ofthe Governor:
The closing scene in the life of Governor
Brough as described TO us by an eyewitness,
are full of interest and pathos. On Monday
evening at about nine O'Clock, the Governor
awakened from the iDsensibility in which he
bad lain for some days, and at the request of his
family, who gathered around his bed side, Sur
geon General Barr informed him that all which
human skill could do for him had been attempt
ed and in vain, and that now he was in the
hands of Almighty God. The Governor was
greatly shocked at this announcement and look
ing General Barr in the face, desired him to re-
neat what he had said. General Barr again sta
ted that he had not forty EIGHT hours to live
The Governor then requested that all except
his family and General Barr should leave the
room. After this had been done, he conversed
camly and nationally with his family for some
time on private family affairs. .-...
Turning TO General Barr, and apparently ad-
dressing his remarks more particularly toAim
the Governor proceeded 10 speak of his religious
views and hopes. He said in substance that he
was no theologian, and had never made any pro-
fession of religion. He had however, always
endeavored to live honestly and uprightly in
his relations with his fellow-men, and he hoped
and believed he had SO done. He confessed
that he had sinned greatly, although he denounc-
ed as false the slanderOus rdmors of his drunk
enuess and icentiOusness which had been cir
culated. But though he acknowledged that he
had been great sinner in the sight of God, he
stated that every act of his In discharging his
duties as Governor had been performed with the
strictest coDscientiOusness, and with prayerful
regard to his responsibility, not only to the
country, but TO God. He also stated that he had
never gone to bed at night for twenty years
without first praying to God for forgiveness and
protection, and that he died penitently, acknowl-
edging his sins and trusting in Christ for pardon
AS he spoke, the Governor raised his eyes, and,
as though death lent supernal keenness to
them. exclaimed that he saw the Mediator stand
ing on the right hand of the Father, making in
tefcession for his sins He concluded with the
emphatic declaration several times repeated
II die happily and gloriOuSly." The scene was
deeply affecting, and at the close of it. the Gov
ernor put his arms around the neck of General
Barr and with deep emotion thanked him for
his care and attention, expressing perfect salts
faction with his medical treatment. He then
took his farewell of his family. About mid
night he relapsed into insensibility (which con-
tinued without intermission until his death.
Such were the last hours in the life of John
Brough. 4