The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1871-06-24
vALLANDIGHAAx.
Fatal Termination of the Sad Acct
dent,

Vallandighani accidentally shot himself.
He was absent at Lebanon, defending
one Mcclellan, charged with murder OF
Meyers, at Hamilton, some weeks ago.
Governor McBurney, his associate coun-
sci, had expressed doubt as to the pos-
sibility of Meyers having shot himself
in the way described by Mr.. Vallandig
ham, when the latter remarked, ~ will
show you in half second"
He picked up the revolver, and put.
ting 1t in his right hand pocket drew it
out far enough only to keep the muzzle
touching his body, and snapped the
hammer. The weapon exploded and
sent its deadly missile into the abdo-
| men, at n point almost corresponding
with that i'll which Meyers WAS shot.
The flash and report alarmed Mr.. NC.
Burney, who Immediately summoned
assistance and despatched messengers
for physicians.
Drs. r.. S. Scoville and Isaac L. Drake
soon arrived and proceeded TO probe the
wound. MIR. Vallandigham coolly assis-
ted in the operation and watched it with
eager eyes.
Two reyolvers were ON the table, one
loaded and the other unloaded. Unfor-
| tunately, Mr.. Vallandigham seized the
former, and, i'll his eagerness to impress
his idea upon the mind of his friend,
cooked and discharged the weapon.
Mr.. Vallandigham Immediately tele-
graphed to his physician, DIR. Reeves, in
this city, urging him to come at once,
fearing he said, that he was fatally in
jured. DIR. Reeves, in company with
Mr.. Vallandigham's son, instantly pro-
ceeded to Lebanon, reaching there at
midnight.
A brief consultation was held between
the physicians IN an adjoining room, af-
ter which DIR. Reeves had the patient
turned over and examined the wound.
The bed was saturated with blood and
the dying man groaned with pain. DIR.
Reeves desired all present to leave the
room and closed the door for private
moments lie re-appsared and called
Charley to his fathers side.
The interview was brief but of tho
most affecting character. There we're
| several spectators, and every one shed
tears. Mr.. Vallsndigham patted Char
ley affectionately on the head and said,
"My son, my son." His voice was hus,
ky but distinct i'll its utterance.
| A few words more from the iather's
lips and the son was desired by DIR.
Reeves to go to bed, as he binself would
remain, with Mr. Williamson, of Love-
land, whom MIR. Vallandigham had tel
1
main.
Throughout the night the symptoms
grew rapidly worse, and all hope of his
recovery was abandoned. At o'clock
this morning Judge McHenry telegraph.
ed that Mr.. Vallandigham WAS still
alive, but sinking rapidly, and when
asked if he was suffering replied by
nodding his head. He was conscious
all the time.
| \ A.ls T..
announced that MIR. Vallandighain died
at Is minutes before 10.
AT 6 o'clock this evening Mr.. Vallan
digham's remains reached Dayton anc
we're escorted TO his residence by hos
of personal friends in carriages and {
committee of Masons from st. Johns
Lodge. MIR. Vallandigham was con
scious TO the last ana only few min
utes before his death remarked that he
felt but little pain. Even when he wa
shot he did not fall or move out of hi
tracks, but tore his clothes aud showed
Gov. McBurney the wound.
} Unfortunately, the saddest feature o
all was that his devoted wife was absen
the funeral of her brother in Maryland
little dreaming at the time, perhaps
that she would be summoned from tina
funeral to the funeral of a nearer ant
dearer one. Mr.. Vallandigham's only
child, Charles, was the only relation will
him when he died.
The alleged murderer, MCGOWAN
whom Mr.. Vallandigham was defend
ing, was brought by officers to his room
; and then followed scene of the mos
+ frantic description. MCGOWAN sobbe,
: like child, and repeated several time
3 the exclamation, He died fer me-
g His eyes were bedimmed with tears a
lie gazed for the last time on the maj
who lost his life in attempting to saw
one in jeopardy.
& Mr.. Vallandigham was member c
Q the Presbyterian Church of Dr. Thoma
until after the war broke out, when h
was driven from it by the intoleranc
and prescription of his opinions exhiL
tied by the congregation. Recently b
has attended the Episcopal Church. an
Q has been a faithful member.
d The Funeral Ceremonies.
= DAYTON, June 20.-The funeral of th
late G. l.. Vallandigham was largely al
tended. The funeral cortege was th
IL largest and most imposing ever witness
- cd in Ohio.
An adjourned meeting of the membe,
Of the bar was held this morning an
was very largely attended. A series ,
resolutions were adopted and speechs
m eulogistic of the deceased made.
q The funeral services were conducte
If at the house of the deceased by Rev. i
II b. Wright of the Episcopal Church, an
" were very impressive. The Mason
service was observed at the grave.
10 The order of procession was as 70
20 lows: The Masonic fraternity; Il
Clergy; tho Hearse and Pallbearer
Family and Relatives in Carriage
Members of the Ohio Bar; Civil Soci
q. ties; Citizens on foot; Carriages.