The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-04-21
"Gates Ajar"-The last hours
of the Lifo of Maj. G. e, Full
ton.

o0tioH WIN IHV iohaAy "uu iS"'e'o
Of the late Maj. G. E. Fulton, | was
impressed that your readers, and the
community at large who knew his
every day life, would be interested
in an account of its somewhat re-
markable close.
His disease acting almost wholly
upon his nervous and circulatory
system, left his mind clear and OF its
usual vigor to the end. And those
who watched by him day and night
inform mo that there was not one
hour during his protracted sickness.
and intense sufferings, that reason
failed or that his intellect appeared
clouded. About three weeks before
bis death, he had given up hopes of
recovery, and conversed freely and
fully upon the approaching event,
evincing no fear or dread of death,
and only desiring life for the sake Of
his family. and repeatedly saying
that the faith that had been his
through life, was sufficient for the
hour Of death. During the last days
of his life he arranged his business
and lett kind words OF affection and
advice to his family and friends with
as great composure Us In health, he
had transacted the ordinary duties OF
life.
In the after part OF Sabbath night
and rs early as three o'clock Of
March 18th: he recognized the icy
arms of death as they began 10 be
folded about him, aud at four O'Clock
had his children brought and babe
them a last farewell, then summoning
his failing strength uttered the fol-
lowing prayer;
"Oh! Almighty Father, if yet Thou
art God upon earth, and has com
passion on human woe; if yet Thou
art husband to the widow and u
father to the fatherless, look in pity
upon this my stricken wife, and these
my fatherlcss children
The many words, expressions, and
prayers of the next two hours,
though recorded. and of sacred
interest to his family. we must pass
over.
At about half past six O'Clock, he
sank visibiy into the arms Of death,
all thinking that they had heard the
last whisper from his lips. After
lying thus for some ten minute, he
aroused with the exclamation family
uttered: "Not unto us, Oh! Father
but unto thee, be all the glory: paus-
ing Il moment he exclaimed, give
| millions His wife leaning over
him said s'Newton, what does he
mean ?" Newton replied, "Spirits,
he whispered "Yes, that is it" Thel
followed the conversation here given
in the familiar terms in which it was
accurately recorded by members o.
the family, within a few hours after
his death.
His wife then asked, ''.Arc they re.
deemed spirits?'' Answer-"Ies
Some came yesterday others Just
getting in" His wife then said, "And
you Darling swell the number" As
sented to by eyes" She ethen asked,
'are they coming to welcome you
homo p Answer "yes." Newton
asked, "Charlie do You know thems
Answer, ~ hao,s all that Timer on
earth" His wife asked, 'Do you see
Father?' Answer swhich Father 2?
| Daring the night and day previous
to test his failing sight he had re.
peatcdiy been asked it he could see
certain persons standing near, Fathe,
Mast was then standing by the bed
sidc-hcnce his repIy-he doubling
whether she meant spiritual or natu
raj sight.y His wife said 'sFatber Ful
ton ?" (died six years ago. Answer
l"Ies.n Question ty the same. ''Dt
| you see little Sister Mary who dice
long ago in Virginia 2" Answer eyes.
She then exclaimed "Then we d
;, know each other in Heaven LII
turned his face towards her with ;
faint smile expressive OF kuowledg'
and surprise at the doubt, and whis
lpercd, "Certainiy.' Newton thcl
asked, Charlie is Heaven then {
reality ?" Answer '.yes" His wifi
then asked, "Charlie do you sec Je
sus 2" Answer "yes." CAT this poin
the victory over death seemed 5
complete--thc triumph SO great tha
glory rather than gloom filled til
death chamber. A feeling of 81
preme eXultation.-a nearness to, an
sympathy with spiritual life possess
cd each heart in degree entirely III
known and inexperienced before. !
Between gasps he then whispered
Nl am so weak---let me rest and the
| will answer your questions"
II After waiting moment Ncwto
, asked, "Charlie have you any stran Z
feelings" Answer yes Questio
, by same "Have you any pain ?" Al
, swer only general al'--pausing an il
: slant he proceeded between gasp
, saying Understand mc--l mea
corporal suffering not spiritual. =
/. Question by Newton, Charlie
!, there any tear, any trepidation p
Answer ooh mo" Question by IL
same Then is il SO terrible to die
Answer no" His wife followed tn
, by ''ls il u door that opens to adm
us into a better life = Answer "ycs
g, Question by same, darling are 20
! happy z" Answer on yes--by san
! -aDoes it look bright y Answ,
! "sanay and far, adding an ins;al
afterwards, Il am just catchil,
/ glimpses." Question by his vii
: "Brighter than anything you cv'
! saw on earth q Answer "Oh, yes
, lie was again asked il he saw Jesu
/ answered "yes." Question by b
wife. "ls he nearyou?h Answer "ycs
, By same -"Are angels hover |
: about you?" An>wer"yes.' She lh'
/ exclaimed, "Qh death, where is Il
/ sting-Oh! grave where is thy Vi
/ tory. Newton asked, "Ghariic h
!. death any sting? Answer no" NJ
). again he sank away aud the Ii
word had fallen from his lips closil
in death; and thus. ended the trump
which was the natural outsrowth
c life, the motto OF which had be-
the Golden Rule aud;aPeace on ear
!, and good will to men
/ I