Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-03
One More Unfortunate.

With feelings of regret we announce the
death of Hon. j. j. Talbot, which occurred
at Elkhart, Indiana, September Cd, 1876.
Many of our readers from Kentucky and
Indiana will remember this gifted man.
During the war Mr.. Talbot was rector of
st. Pauls church, Louisville, Kentucky.
When General Nelson was killed by General
jeff G. Davis, he delivered the funeral grafton.
From the pulpit he went to the Louisville
bar and for some time commanded large
and lucrative practice. The Elkhart Reriew
says "The immediate cause of his death
was inflammation of the stomach and con-
gestion of the brain. lie came here. as is
already known to our readers, to struggle
against relapse into intemperance. 1t is
probable none can know or imagine the
fierceness of the fight which he waged during
the last illness with his appetite for drink,
and it would be a selfish friend who could
wish him back for the prolongation of suffer-
ings which were sure to endure while life
lasted. lie was happily triumphant, how
ever, at the last, and he died with the most
divine hope of blissful favor" Ills sad fate
is told by himself in the following pathetic
extract from lecture delivered in Indian
apols short time previous to his death
"But now the struggle is over, can sur
vey the field and measure the losses. had
position, high and holy. This demon tore
from around me the robes Of my sacred
office and sent me forth churchless and god
less, very Kissing byword among men.
After, | had business large and lucrative,
and my voice in all large courts was heard
pleading for justice, mercy and the right
But the dust gathered upon my unopened
books, and no football crossed the threshold
of the drunkard's office. had money, ample
for all necessities, but it took wings and
went to feed the Golfers of the devils which
possessed me. / had home adorned with
all that wealth and the most exquisite
taste could suggest. This devil crossed its
threshold and the light faded from its cham
bers; the fire went out on the hottest Of
affairs, and leading me through its portals
despair walked with her, and sorrow anC
anguish fingered within. | had children
beautiful, to me at least, as a dream of thu
morning, and they had so entwined them
selves around their fathers heart that ne
matter where it might wander, ever it cam,
back to them on the bright wings of
fathers undying love. His destroyer tool
their hands in his and led them. / had
wife whose charms of mind and person wer,
such that to see her was to remember, anC
to know her was to love. 70
thirteen years we walked the rugged path o
life together, rejoicing in its sunshine ant
sorrowing in its shade. This internal mon
ster couldn't spare me even this. | had
mother, who for long, long years, had not lef
her chair, victim of suffering and disease
and her choicest delight was in the reflec
ton that the lessons which she had taught a
her knee had taken root in the heart of he
youngest born, and that he was useful h
his fellows and an honor to her who Dor
him. But the thunderbolt reached evel
there, and there it did its most cruel work
Other days may cure all but this. All me
never word of reproach from her lips
only tender caress only shadow O
great and unspoken grief gathered over tn
dear old face; only a trembling hand lai
more lovingly on my head; only close
clinging to the cross; only more piteou
appeal to heaven if her cup at last were nc
full. And while her boy raved in his viii
delirium two thousand miles away, tn
plying angels pushed the golden gate
ajar, and the mother of the drunkard Ell
tered into rest. And thus stand, cerg,
man without cure, barrister without brit
, or business a father without child; a hui
, band without wife; a son without pi
rent man with scarcely friend, a sol
. without hope-all swallowed up in
I maelstrom of drink"
Mr.. Talbot WAS an eloquent orator an
and able writer. He was constant col
/ tributor TO the first magazines of the coul
try. Seven years ago, Mr.. Talbot wrote
series of articles for the Gdldry, in reply !
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stoves abuse of B
ron, which created quite sensation at IL
time. Six years ago Mr.. Talbot worked fl
e and with the writer on the New Alban
t Qnd) Ledger- Standard, when he first di
S covered his worth and good qualities, al
. realized the power required by such natur
A to abstain from the use of strong drin
r Poor Jerry Talbot has passed away. Il
| nnieScat IN pace.-- Erchanqe.