The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-18
DEATH OF GOVERNOR BROUGH.
Further Particulars i'm FegaTd TO his
Last IIiuess and Death.

Further Particulars i'm Regard TO his
Last IIluess and Death.
The following particulars in regard to
the incidents connected with the last Ill
ness and death of Governor Brough are
furnished to the Philadelphia Press, &C
companied by a note signed ga member of
the FAmily"-prObsbly, as the letter itself
indicates, the Rev. HI. Cunningham, of
Pbiladelphis, q son-in-law of the Governor.
Governor Brough alwas paid respect 10
religion, giving to the church ~pecuniary
support, and exacting from his children an
Observance Of the Sabbath. He was the
child of q pious mother. She trained him
In childhood to commit to memory large
portions Of the Scripture which, he could,
in after life, quote with wonderful facility.
At the beginning OF his Illness,
throughout its course, he had a strong pre-
sentiment of death. Though sometimes
hopeful. and always desirous of life, yet he
never felt ssnguine of recovery. When
he first entered the house, on his return
home, he exclaimed he Ghsd come home 70
de- and several times assured his Oldest
daughter that Hshe had come to see her
father for the last time" During the first
part Of his sickness he seemed troubled in
mind, and often inquired "Why was he
called upon to suffer SO terribly Why
should God 30 deal with him 2' But this
was only for q short time. He became
reconciled 10 his lot and until his death
expressed unvsvering trust in Gods wis
dom and love During the third week ct
his illness he was seized with 9 severe con-
gestive chill. The physicians feared he
wonld not survive it. Calling his family
around him, ne babe them all ferewell, and
expressed his hope of eternal life. At that
time he stated he had not for twenty years
laid his head upon his pillow without
prayer to God. He hsd endesvored TO
perform all the duties of his administrs.
ton in dependence upon Gods wisdom,
and there was not one sct of his official
career he could have wished to change or
wish otherwise thsn it had been.
He expressed his belief in q Saviour, and
in his moments of intense suffering often
called upon him in audible prayer. He
described his feelings when sinking in the
chill in these words: al went down into
the valley and shadow of death; at first
there was darkness, then all was as clear
as sunshine" After passing through q
severe surgical operation, he said TO his
wife, "Hhe Almighty hand sustained me
/ was saved only by that power" Two
weeks after the first he had 8 second chill,
in which he became wholly unconscious,
As he sank into insensibility his last utter
snce was those grand words from Holy
| Writ: "For l knew that my Redeemer
liuafh ond that he ahall atopd ~ Tho iaffau
dsy upon the earth; and though after my
SKIN worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall l see God"
His patience and resignation were IS re-
markAble as his care and thoughtfulness of
those around him. No impatient word
escaped his lips, and often, in noticing the
tears and anxiety of his family, he would
remind them, "God's will must be done"
In speaking one day to his daughter of
some business plans, he remarked, II will
carry this out if am ever permitted to get
off this bed" She exclaimed, "Oh,
father you are getting better, and our
prayers and labors shall keep you with US
we cannot let you go" He replied,
slaughter, l am as anxious to live as you
are to have me; but Gods will, not mine,
must be done" He. then described the
course his disease had taken, and truly pre-
dicted how it would terminate. Though
his sufterings were intense, he never forgot
the well being Of others wishing those
ar ouDd him not to be oVer.taxed in
waiting upon him. A few days before he
died, observing the pale, anxious face OF
his wife, he exclaimed with fearful eyes,
"Poor wifel would that I could bear this
burden for her~ On the morning the
physicians intended to amputate his foot,
he called his family about him, and gave
them his last charges, fearing he might
sink, after the operation, too rapidly to
speak again. he said his life had not been
free from errors he had confessed his sins
to God, and believed they wee pardoned.
He had en~deavored to deal Justly and
honorsbly with all men, and he died with.
out fear, trusting that the same good God
who had cared for him here would take
him to himself. He eDjoined upon his
children to meet him in eternity. He then
requested his son-in law, Rev. T. M. Cum
bingham, to pray with him, making audi.
bic responses throughout the prayer.
After the remainder of the family lef
the room, he conversed long and earnestly
with his son-in-law upon his hope and
faith, asking him to pray for him. He
said there is q wonderful power in prayer,
and 1 want you to stand by me through
this operation, and pray for me, and in case
of death, pray for me as long as my soul
fingers in my body" As is well known,
missions were substituted for smputation.
This was oil Friday morning, and he did
not become entirely conscious until the
following Monday evening, when he was
told ho nonat die He -onvo,kol a-a--z
but his wife, children, and sister TO leave
the room. He was too much exhausted to
speak, except to say, "GOd bless YOU to each
one, with apsrting embrace twice repeated.
His sister asked him the question, lis
the savior precious to you-do you trust
him; and feel that you are going to be with
him 2" He responded "Yes." His wife
asked him, "Do you love God and trust
him 2" He answered, "Indeei 1 dol"
His daughter told him "she was praying
jesus would take him safe home He ex-
claimed, "Thsnk you, daughter, and God
bless you'll" He then became unconscious
of all about him until the next morning at
eight O'Clock, when, being asked it he knew
his daughter, he replied in the affirmative.
He then made signs for his son in. law to
pray. He twice responded to the PRAYER.
and these were his last uttersnces. After
the prayer he took Mr.. UunninghAm's
hand seeming to try to thank him, but he
could not speak. Mr.. Cunningham then
spent some time in repeating passages of
Scripture, to which he earnestly listened.
He again sank into UnconscIousness from
which he did not rally until about five
minutes before he died, when he opened
his eyes and fixed them upon his wife, as
if desirous to speak, but he could not. His
eyes we're fnIl of heavenly brightness
happiness shone upon his c~ountenance for
8 moment, then he closed his eyes and
peacefully fell asleep.