Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-03-20
gellows falls Times,
BELLOWS FALLS, MAR. 20, 1874.
Charles Summer.
His last afternoon i'm the Senate-Incidents
in his Last Hours-IIis Last Dinner-Last
WOrds-The Death Bed Scene.

words-The Death Bed Scene.
Benz. "Perley" Poore, the Washing
ton correspondent of the Boston Journal,
and for many years personal friend of
Mr.. Sumner, sends to the Journal an ac-
count of Mr.. Summers last sickness,
which must be authentic, as he was pres
ent and Saw that of which he writes.
We, therefore, copy largely from his ac-
count, as follows:
"Perley" begins by recalling CONVEX
sation with Mr. Sumner during the past
year. in which he (Mr. So had suffered
much pain, and would at times. express
that he would welcome death, but that
he wished to complete his works on
"bosh as he called them.
Mr.. SUMMERS LAST AFTERNOON IN THE
SENATE.
Soon after the resembling resolution
had been read and he had received the
congratulations of number of Senators,
Hon. Henry L. Pierce came into the
Senate chamber and had conversation
with him on the moiety Investigations,
in which he took deep interest, as he
did in the exposure of every wrong, as
to the best way to secure its publication.
Before Mr.. Pierce left, Mr.. Sumner in
vited him to dine socially at six o'clock,
and then wrote note to me extending
the invitation. Mr.. Gambler of Boston
soon afterward sent IN his card, and Mr..
Sumner had him introduced on the floor
of the Senate, where the two had long
chat seated ON one of the sofas. After
Mr.. Gambler left Mr. Sumner went across
the Senate chamber and took a vacant
chair next to that of Senator Sargent,
who had joined him in opposing any
committal of Congress to the Philadel-
phia Centennial bill in such a way as
would ultimately require an expenditure
of many millions of money from the Ma
tional Treasury. He asked Mr.. Sargent
if he had received any insulting letters
regarding his action, and informed him
that he (Sumner) had received threaten
ing and insulting letters both by mail
and express, denouncing his course on
the bill. 1t struck Senator Sargent that
he was not in his usual health, or he
would not have allowed himself to be-
come worried about such trihing mat
ter. A few minutes past three o'clock
he took seat near Mr.. Ferry. of Con-
necticut, who had an affiiction of the
spinal cord, somewhat similar to that of
Mr.. Sumner. They had often talked
about the malady, and both being affiict-
ed, suggested various remedies which each
had found afforded relief He told Mr..
Ferry that the night previous (Monday)
he felt badly and had sent for his ply
sician to administer hypodermic injec-
ton of morphia, and asked him what he
thought of such treatment. adding that
it generally gave him ease. He also
talked about his health to his friend Mr..
Schurz, saying that he feared that he
would not be able to speak on finance as
he had intended. While talking with
Mr.. Ferry he felt return of his heart
pains, and when Hon. Samuel Hooper
soon afterward came into the Senate he
mentioned it to him, saying that he be-
lieved he must 60 home. Mr.. Hooper
asked him to wait until half-past four, at
which time be had ordered his carriage,
when they could ride down together.
He accepted the invitation, and before
he left the Senate Chamber bis pain had
left him.