Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-06-24
Death Of Hon &. l.. vaiiand,gham.

! cldentally ShOt himself WIN PiS'oi
with which he was illustrating how his
clients pistol had been discharged in en-
deavoring to draw it from his pocket, ne
| (Vallandigham) being one of the coun-
sci for a man named McGeehan, on
trial for murder The shot resulted IA
tally about Is to 10 o'clock on Saturday
morning.
From advices received by mail we
! have additional particulars concerning
the last moments of Hon. c. i. Nallan-
digham. Upon receiving his wound he
Immediately telegraphed tohis physician,
DR. Reeves, in Dayton, urging him to
come at once, fearing, he said, that he
was fatally injured. Dr. Reeves, in
company with Mr.. Vallandigham's son,
instantly proceeded to Lebanon, reaching
there at midnight. The wounded man
was glad to see his friend and physician,
pressed his hand and asked for some
thing to relieve the pain in his body.
A brief consultation was held between
the physicians in an adjoining room, af-
ter which Dr. Reeves had the patient
turned over and examined the wound.
The bed was saturated with blood and
the dying man groaned with pain. DR..
Reeves desired all present to leave the
room, and closed the door for private
conference with his patient. In few
moments he reappeared and called
Charley (the SOM to his fathers side.
The interview between father and son
was brief, but of the most affecting char
acter. There were several spectators,
and every one shed tears. Mr. Vallan-
digham patted Charley afectionately on
the head and said, "My son, my son. ="
His voice was husky, but distinct in its
utterance. a few words more from the
fathers lips and the son was desired by
DR.. Reeves to go to bed, as he himself
would remain, with Mr. Williamson, of
Loveland, whom Mr. Vallandigham had
telegraphed to, and now requested to re-
main. Nh: McBurney, Judge Haynes,
Mr.. Symmcs and other friends retired,
and the sad vigil was taken up by the
medical gentlemen.
Throughout the night the symptoms
grew rapidly worse, and all hopes of his
recovery were abandoned. AT o'clock
next morning Judge McHenry tele
graphed to Dayton that Mr.. Nallandig-
ham was still alive but sinking rapidly,
and when asked if he was suffering, he
replied by nodding bis head. He was
conscious al the time a subsequent
dispatch from the Judge announced that
Mr. Nallandigham died at fifteen min
utes before 10 o'clock, and that he would
bling his remains Immediately to Day
ton. At 6 o'clock Saturday evening
Mr. Nallandigham's remains reached
Dayton, and were escorted to his resi-
dence by host Of personal friends in
carriages and committee of Masons
from Saint Johns Lodge A severe
rain storm unfortunately interrupted the
carrying out Of the original programme
contemplated for the reception Of the
remains.
Mr. Vallandigham was conscious to
the last, and only few minutes before
his death remarked that he felt but little
pain Even when he was shot he did
not fall or move out of his tracks, but
tore open his clothes and showed Gov
McBurncy the wound. He was con-
scious of all the danger, and probably
even expected fatal results from the
wound, yet he exhibited no signs Of
alarm.
Mr. Vallandigham was a member of
the Presbyterian Church until after the
war broke out, when he was driven
from it by the intolerance and proscrip-
ton of his opinions exhibited by the
congregation, Recently he has attend
ed the Episcopal Church, and has been
a faithful member.
A correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette gives the following account of
the interview between father and son
DR.. Reeves stepped to the door, and
said bring Charlie up. The son was at
the head of the stairs in minute. lie
is fine looking lad, just sixteen, has
much the features Of his father, and is
tall, 1.-THE and slender, but well knit
form.
Charlie entered the room, bent over
and kissed his dying father, then sat
down in silence by his side, and looked
him in the face. The dying man, with
a voice of intense pathetic tenderness
that articulated no word, lifted his free
left hand and stroked Charles head.
The poor boy stood it better than the
bystandcrs. Tears came to eyes that
tried to keep them back, and some who
were there left the room. A few strokes
and the left hand dropped on the bed
to be lifted no more. Charlie had re-
ceived his last caress from his loving,
dying father, who hoped so much, plan
ned so much, for that boy. "Charlie,
be good boy" then few words in
tone scarcely audible to an ear next
his lips were the only words he uttered
when any one else was in the room.
At halfpast three his pulse ceased.
Somatic death had taken place probably
long before His friends were admitted
to his bedside His law partner, his
nephews, John NJ. sprigg and James L.
Vallandigham, had arrived. Gen Dur
bin Ward and Judge Smith came. Char
lie sat by his side and looked in his face.
Morning came heralded by the sweet,
careless song of birds. 1t was cloudy
and cool. DR., Dawson arrived at day