Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-10-28
The Heroine Of MenlpiiiS.

The Memphis papers are nleu WIN lr'ba'c:
to this devoted young Illinois girl, who rcccul-
IL died 10 that city, whittier she had come
from her Northern home voluntarily to visit
aud care for the sick The following, which
We clip from the Memphis correspondent of
the Norfolk Landmark, indicates the deep sor.
rows of the people Of the afflicted city at the
late Of this noble girl
Daring tirs. Sc3urs o.! horror, whcU stroDg
,ncu reiu Bile AID turn talc, when philosophy
isc!f is at fault in finding no comfort, when
man feels his weakness in contemplating the
oower Of The Almighty Ruler OF the universe,
who can destroy even a. He has created, our
hearts and minds can more fully appreciate
such noble act Of herolsn as am DOW 10 re-
cord. Never during the existence OF the
scourgc. even though the casual observer may
have witnessed scenes OF lrd"ScribabIe distress.
never have We felt such sadness-known such
d1ep and sacred screw. Is when 1t was lmpart-
ed TO this stricken community that impartial
Death had touched, with rtnarSeess scythe,
the life OF our heroine, Matte Stevenson. This
name. no doubt, is unknown to your readers
but ah lis deeply craven upon orr memories
and cnshrined in our hearts most inmost re-
cc>seS. She came TO u IL few weeks since from
Illinois, without even impa,tlns her mission TO
the dear home circle which cnthroned her rs
its life angel and in which there vas .
wreath for each toll. charm for every woe:
From her nome Of ;tiurnce aud wealth she
came unaidcd. unattended, and Offering her
services to the Howard Association, was assign
ed 10 duty. Refusing to receive anything,
evcn the drhcatey rendered Offering OF gratc-
full hearts her labors We're unrclnttlDc.
Many Il soul will greet her III immortality,
for ncr soft touch was frequently the last upon
the burning brow and her prayers cit mingled
with those ct God 5 ministers who prayed Tor
the soul inst lingering on the lips. HrI
labor> ard clu,iant Attendance IN The Injected
district proved 100 much for her uraccliul&tc'i
and fraii system. The dread demon OF pc>ri-
fence touched her with bis wand and she sank.
| While III every attention that skill and aHcc
ton could supply was paid her, but it was all
in vain She was buried in an eligible spot III
| our own ':t.!mwood," the members of the How
| ard Association acting as pall bearers. AL
though large coucour>e of people were pres
eut. there were 20 pompous UbscqulcS. Every
heart went as the few touching words OF tie
minister were spoken for We felt that in dy-
iL- she had made herself ours; and the white
stone that is to he erected above her will bear
the maine and record the >cifimmolatiou Of
the Fiurcuce Nightingale of Memphis
Such acts of hero>ln. and the noble gcncr
csity of the North aud West during our ffc-
ton, should abrogarc the last ycsugc vi see
tiona feeling 10 our breasts, and should teach
u that kind hearts and noble minds are not
indigenous TO any cline nor peculiarly tostcred
by any sun. This universal sympathy which has
been SO practically exercised in behalf of our
afflicted city has won FROM Memphis debt Of
gratitude which will live as long a. the mouIo:y
of these dark and unhappy days. La the uauc
Of on, sorrow-Iudcn people, return with pride
their heartfelt thauks tor the generous d>na-
tions from my native State, Eirslnia, and cs-
peria.iy 10 our Cities by the Sea" Your
word, OF sympathy and SORROW too, are Dot
idle, for they touch responsive chords and
uakr H. IA nohlcr and better people. May
Sod bless and prosper yor, 10 The r'aycr OF
grateful! people.