Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-09-01
HIS SELF. RELIANCE AND DETERMINATION

HIS SELL. RELIANCE AND DETERMINATION.
From his childhood, Admiral Farragut
had been remarkably ecli-rehant and de-
termiped, and although of very amiable
alsDosit on, never would consent that 9TH
srs should do for him what he could per,
form himself Industry was a decided trait
in his character When not on active
duty, he had always been student, and
while in foreign ports never neglected to
ACQUIRE the language OF the people. AT
one time he spoke the Spanish, French,
Italian, and Arabic, with great huency--
the latter language he acquired when Is
years Of age, during residence OF nine
months in Tunis.. In connection with his
Arabic. the following anecdote IS related:
On approaching some islands in the Medl
terranean, the captain of the snip remarked
ON deck that he did not know how they
were to converse with the people,
as they had no Interpreter. AT that mo-
ment boat came alongside with some OF
the natives and an officer replied, Gap
tain. We have an officer on board who
seems to speak all languages intuitiyely,
but he is doubtless in league with the Old
Boy, but suppose you send for him and
see if he cannot communicate with these
people" SO Lieut.. Farragut was called
for, and told in q peculiar manner that he
must show ii what he was accused OF was
true. He looked into the boat, and seeing
an old Arabian woman, immediately COM
menced conyersing, and transacted tor the
ship all the trading Imagine the surprise
of all on board, as Fana9ut did not tell
them that ii was Arabic he was speaking;
and so he kept up the joke tor some time,
amused to hear them often repeat that he
was indebted to the devil for such gilt. ~
THE ILLNESS.
As is well known, the Admiral had been
slowly but surely declining for several
months, but his spells Of indispositlon had
been 80 numerous since his retirement
from active service that his friends, until
recently, had strong faith that his power
! iul constitution and indomitable will would
prove an eflectual foundation for future
wears OF health and usefulness When the
warm weather commenced, his character
! istic strength began to be superseded 10y
growing weakness the immediate cause OF
which was chronic affection OF the heart.
Thinking, perhaps, that the inyigora-
!
combined would prove panacea Tor his
ills, he went to Portsmouth, n. h', on the
! 4th Of July last, the sixty-nlnth and last
anniversary of his birth, de was brought
! in the United States steamer 1allapoosa
and was accompanied by Surgeon McMas-
ters, who was with him during his cruise
on board the old frigate Franklin, and who
WAS specially detailed by the Navy Depart
meut to attend him during his indlsposl-
ton. The Admiral was very low upon his
arrival, and was at once conveyed TO the
residence of Commandant Pennck, LOT the
nevy-yard, where his last days have been
rendered as comfortable as lay within the
power of human and medical skill to make
them. He continued to grow leebier I'M
mediateiy upon his arrival, and his disease
seemed to be as surely rs 1t was slowly
DESTROYING his every vitality. He had not
been able to walk for upward Of five weeks,
and only on one or two occasions had he
encountered the fatigue OF short carriage
ride. 1t was, however, not until Tues
day last that his malady threatened to
prove fatal. Early that day he was sud-
denly stricken with paralysis, and he
never spoke again, and the only
muscles which he seemed to have control
over were those OF the face. Several time 8
it,was thought he was dying, and on Fri
day it was actually believed that the spark
of life had fed, kilograms announcing
the sad intelligence were written, butpend-
ing the departure of the messenger to the
telegraph office signs of life returned and
remained until noon to-day when the
spirit OF the gallant old sailor was
borne gently away. There were pre-
sent at the time of his death
Lent. Loyal Farragut, son of the deceased;
also, DR.. Gauger, his father-inl law; Sur
peons McMasters and Meatcalf, and Com
mandant Pennock and several mentors OF
the family.