Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-08-30
SPEAKER KERR.
SCENES AROUND HIS DEATH.BED--sKETcn
OF HIS OFFICIAL CAREER.

RocKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, VA, Au
gust 10, ls76,-Hon. Michael G. Kerr
, Speaker of the U. S. House of Rep
resentatives, expired this evening At
twenty minutes past o'clock, just MS
the sun went down over this beautiful
mountain valley. His last half hour
was painless and peacciul-a death he
craved constantly during the past few
weeks. He was surrounded by wife
and son. and his faithful Secretaries,
Messrs White and Scudder, and Mr.,
Cox and wife. Mr.. Montgomery Blair
had been nearhm during his protracted
illness, and all kindness possible to
alleviate and comfort has been bestowed
by Mr.. Frazier, the proprietor of the
hotel here, and other friends. Mr.. Cox
said he had been with Mr.. Kerr for the
last two days, during which he had
been gradually sinking. On Friday
he conversed in whispers, consciously
and intclligently giving directions to
his Secretary on private matters, and
words of cheer to his friends and con.
ISOLATION to his wife and son.
"Onmy arrival" said Mr.. Cox, "aitcr
giving him the kind messages OF his
Congressional friends, asked him il he
was ready to 90, He expressed his
entire content with a heroic gentleness
which was one of his characteristics.
lie conversed freely about the future
world, its rewards, hopes and expecta-
tions with calmness and equanimity I;
he had suffered so much that he desired
to be relieved, and yet he would not
have his pain alleviated, so as to dis
tract or stupefy his mind. He based his
hopes ofa better world upon the justice
and benevolence which he had en-.
dcavorcd to illustrate in his life. He
impressed his views upon his son, who
is just entering upon his manhood. His
wife was near him constantly, and but
for the consolation of friends would be
inconsolable.
All proper direction has been made
to take the remains to New Albany,
Indiana, where the funeral will take
place. Mr.. Kerr is member of the
Presbyterian church, and the funeral
services Will be held in that church.
No medical account can supply q
proper statement of the almost super
natural endurance Of the sufferer The
simple fact Is his frame was but mere
skeleton. There was no flesh left. The
backbone was apparent from the alb
domen. The wonder is the man sur
vived so long; yet at no time, even to
the last, did he fail to recognize those
about him. He talked of the country,
of his relatives and of politics with Mr..
Cox, and expressed with great serenity
bis hopes as patriot in the recent
struggle. He was proud of the part
he had taken IN public affairs, and
without repining, he adhered to his
peculiar tenets of philosophy and faith.
About A o'clock ?. NJ, the death strug-
gle seemed approaching. His respira-
ton grew short and feeble He sank
into collapse, and he seemed in great
pain, and frequently the word "sutfoca-
ton escaped his lips in faint whispers.
Yet amid that trying scene he still
manifested not only his usual fortitude,
but the affectionatc recognition of his
friends He pressed the hands Of Mr..
Cox and Mr. Montgomery Blair, to the
former exclaiming: Goodbye, dear
friend God bless YOU His pulse
ceased at the wrists and his limbs as
sumed marble coldness. A little
time passed on, and the approach of
the grim monster seemed to be moment
arily bafiled by the extraordinary vital
powers of the sick man; the respira-
tions grew stronger, and at 6 o'clock
p NJ. the pulse returned to the wrists,
the heart beating with its usual force
and regularity. AS z o'clock drew
near, the hour of the setting sun, Dr.
Pope sat beside the bed convcrsing
with Mrs. Kerr, the friends having
momentarily returned, the Doctor
asked Mr.. Kerr. "Do you suffer any
pain" The patient shook his head.
ado you feel easier now2" lie nod
dcd his head emphatically, at the same
moment nAing an caihcs' gaze On ,nc
Doctor, expressing AZ once 'nanks ior
rene, from suncr'ng, vnoh nS'ng u
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