New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-26

From the Memphis Avalanche. October IS

I
and noble Matte Stephenson, whose spirit
winged its way heavenward at yester'e
| break of dawn. 1t was only on the pre-
| viOus day that the story was told IN the
! columns Of this journal of the way thi. i'm
| pulsive girl came here alone, tive weeks
| ago, from Towanda Illinois, unknown TO
| her relatives or friends, 70 serve the sick
| aud suffering Of our eorely stricken city,
paying her own passage tv rail Within
| two hours after her arrival, IN response to
| the request Of DR.. Black burn, she was at
| the bedside of Mrs. Adair, on Commerce
| street-a peculiarly trying case for one so
voung-watching with a woman's unfinch-
ing devotion till the fearful struggle with
the monster was over. Then she went to
nurse family named Sullivan, on Concord
street, where she did patient and faithful
service TO several sick persons, even assist
ing in all sorts Of drudgery.
Last Monday she was stricken with :Ee
treacherOus malady, whose deadly breath
she had inhaled, and was soon after taken
TO the intirmary, where she was cared for.
nursed and watched by Drs. Luke =. Black
burn, w. Z. Rogers, Barnett, of Vicksburg,
j. B. Barbot, of New Orleans, and two kind
and faithful nurses. In spite OF the skill
and care of all of the above, the fever
proved too much for her frail, unacclimated
form, and she sank to rest, martyr to hui
manity's cause, while her pure spirit passed
upward to the regions of eternal glory.
When 10 was announced at the Howard
Association rooms, on Madison street. that
the little girl was dead, pang Of sorrow
pervaded every heart, and preparations
were at once made to follow her remains to
the crowded city of the dead.
The heroine had arrived here without d
change of garments, and her entire ward
robe vas on her person, or in little
satchel she brought. She declined any pay
for her duty. and refused to accept articles
in the way of clothing. SO, writing back
home for a few needed articles, a box was
sent by express in return, which only came
here day before yesterday. when she was
too low to know anything OF it. Yesterday,
in presence of one or two persons, Mr..
Langstatf opened the package to find, if
possible. some trace of the girls history. a
couple of clean, plain calico dresses, some
cuffs, q few garments OF underwear, sew.
eral packages Of nick-nacks, evidently put
up by tiny hands of loved kindred for
their angel of mercy to distribute among
the sick; these we're all the box contained,
and they were all carefully repacked and
laid aside, while the bystanders shed tears.
and turned away in silence.
A meeting of the Towards convened 20
arrange preliminaries, and at two O'Clock
they were again gathered in front of the
infirmary on Promenade street. The NOR
tai remains CT the poor girl had been laid
out in pure, white garments and placed in q
handsome metallic casket, mounted by
silver plate, inscribed with her age and
name, Matte Stephenson, died October II,
1873"
The casket of the deceased was decorated
tastefully with wreaths of flowers, and
when the persons present had taken a LAST
look at the placid features Of the departed.
eight pall-bearers, with white and black
Grape on their left arms. took charge of and
placed the casket in the hearse. The pre-.
cession moved down Main street, and ont TO
Elmwood in the following order: Two
carriages with pall-bearers; hearse with
remains; pall-bearers; G. w. Gordon, A.
D. Langstaff, S. P. Robertson, J. J. Murphy.
Butler Anderson, w. j. Smith w. j. b.
Lonsdale, E. J. Mansford carriage with
the RevE w. Z. Boggs and DR.. Luke Black
burn. Members of the Howard Association
on foot. Acting Mayor Cicalla, followed
by carriages containing several members of
tie press and others.
AS the solemn procession moved down
Main street. an intuitive knowledge seem
ingly pervaded the minds of persons along
that highway that an angel spirit had left
its mortal tenement for happier realms.
and they looked in silence at the cavalcade
as il passed TO escort the earthly remains
to the grave.
Al the cemetery, in conspicuous spot,
not far from the entrance gate, a grave had
been dug, and here the procession lalted,
and placed the casket within it.
The Rev. Mr.. Boggs, of the Second Presby-
terrain Church, then read from the tenth
chapter OF Luke's gospel the parable OF the
good Samaritan, remarking in substance at
the close, This is the time for action rather
than for words l must not trespass upon
the precious time consecrated to the human
task of caring for the living. You OF the
Howard Association may not liDger even by
spot so hallowed as the grave of this brave
and tender woman. l saw her but once, and
under the most trying circumstances in
which modest girl could be placed. It
was in the chamber Of a victim of this fear
full scourge, who had been hurried by it
into the pangs of motherhood. Terror had
broken the tenderest ties of life. Men had
nerved themselves to face the danger by
strong drink; women, otherwise so ready with
the: sympathy and aid in the hour Of agony,
whose bitterness ou'v "Or'an ca:, know.
stood alOof with pale :ac:s and parted .iDs.
A slender. shy giy: hoyc,".: oIer .i,t. .'art
ing young mother, vince rsn,. were 'lal
repaid by hearing the welcome c::'s c: "a
living child. She kne!: with me in prayer
to the Great Father to heal the exhausted
body. or if such was his highe. viii! to re.
ceive her departing soul TO Himself. There
was nothing OF the self-conscious heroine
abou: the shy and gentle creature-n no
traces Of the Jean dare or Charlotte Cor.
day, as We see them portrayed by the
PAINTERS brush; and, rude man that was.
had well nigh forgotten the circumstance
until recalled by the statement of her noble.
hearted physician lDr. Biackournl. VINO
weps LOT her as Tor 1eloVeo daagnter.
ihe Two women now sieep no' very laf r
rom eacn 11Her ~ the tuIe. s Slp 1,1 %
our peautlIul LlnWooa-1ne one rom IN, LIZ
nos. 1he otner IRON the more re n.:.anv iils