The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-03-13

boy ON first going to sea got very staslck ana So
like all other scasick persons, was unable 10 take
care Of himself. The weather was rainy ana ais'
NAL the deck, were wet almost continually for
several DAYS. Albert, like many others, lay down
on the wet decks, insensible to everything but
his own misery, and thus caught cold that cost
him hi, life His illness lasted 20 days. At first
he was deaf but towards the last he recovered
his hearing.
The ship will return to Hampton Roads, Va,
in "A few days and from there ! can send you or
Mrs. Rathbun any further information that you
may desire Respectfully,
Russell c. PARIS, Mdshipman.
It's a great consolation to the parents of young
Ratbbun to be in receipt Of many evidences OF
the high esteem in which their son was held by
his superior officers AS well as all with whom he
came in contact. From numerous others they
select the following for publication;
AsPINwALL Feb Is, lsSO.-Mrs. RATHBUN: !
have long intended writing you note In rela-
ton to your son Albert, but thought IT best TO
delay 1t until the notification OF his death had
been sent YOU by the proper authorities. saw
more of him, probably, than most Of the other
officers did, As on his arrival aboard the y" ler-
mont" at New York lie was placed IN my ul'ls-
ion, and thus came under my immediate charge.
From the very first | was attracted towards MIN
by his manuess and intelligence, and as long as
he lived never had the slightest cause to change
my first good impression. lie was always zeal.
Gus and attentive to duly, fair and upright IN all
his dealings with his shipmatcs, and without any
sycophancy or special endcavor on his part was
a fayorite with all who knew him. Unlike most
of the boys aboard, he had positive character
which was always cXerted for good. | never
heard him indulge in any impropH language OF
any kind but in this respect, as IN all others, MS
demeanor was that Of u manly little gentleman.
He was removed from my division in October
but was still under my charge as signal officer
hayi hp,n detailed to- receive instruction In
signals. His intelligence and application soo1
enabled him TO master them, and he became the
most proficient boy in that branch aboard. lie
was then transferred back to my division, ana
was a member of 1t at the time of his death. Dur
ing his sickness he received all possible care ana
attention, and We all hoped for his recovery HIS
disease was such, however. that medicines could
alleviate but not remove IT, and in spite OF all
that could bc done he passed away IN a state OF
Towards the last he was sci.
dom conscious ana think suncreu out i'tlc
pain. "
As his divisional officer | had charge Of his
funeral, and had the melancholy pleasure OF fol
lowing his body to the grave. The division Of
which he was Il member ana nearly all inc noys
who were with him aboard the michigan" re
ouested the same privilege, and many OF the Of
tcers, who had come like myself to respect him
for his uprightness, showed their desire To ex
tend all possible honor to his remains by follow
Ing them to the cemetery. There was no FRO
the grave were therefore conducted by Capt.
Stanton, The funeral service OF the Episcopal
church being read. In spite of the natural hard
cniny effects Of life aboard ship, have seldom
seen so much emotion and feeling expressed, as
was apparent on the faces Of all present, and had
he been among his own relatives, his remains
could not have been treated with more tender
ness.
We all felt that his loss to you must come as q
heavy blow, and without knowing anything OF
his family. felt that one who had so impressed us
by his official demeanor, must he very dearly
loved in his family circle. You have my full sym
pathy, madam, In your bereavement, and in or
der TO tender 1t and to testify 10 what your son
was while with vs., | have taken the liberty Of
writing | am very sorry that am unable to do
more but II there is any service that could rem
der YOU In making disposition Of his effects or
in any other way, hope you will inform me,
and afford me the qualification OF giving some
expression to my regard for your son. am,
madam, Sincerely yours,
J. b. MURDOCH, Master [. 5. \.
The parents also find like solace in the tone
of deep piety and tilial affection that peryades
his letters which he wrote to them with dutiful
regularity. We give few extracts. The fol-
lowing /, from letter dated Sept. 81, 1870:
Take this letter to my mother,
Far across the deep blue sea.
Mother, | will put my trust in God not for TO-
day only but to morrow and always. am uy-
ing to be a good Christian boy and God will help
me to do right. | am not perfect but try to do
right and live near my Savior How d es
father ret along? IL he we'll? When will he
write to me? | have been looking for d letter
from him since left home
The following is from letter written flOm
Hampton Roads, Nov. 30
When am on the great deep my thoughts of.
ten wander back to my dear old home and think
Of the blessed treasures ii contains. Dear moth.
err want YOU to read the book OF St Luke. !
have read it about half through and oh! what
comfort have received from il. iOu must
not think am falling back. ! am still trusting
and hopeful,
The following il from letter dated from
Hampton Roads Dee. ith, the last, we believe,
his parents received from him;
My dear mother, never you fear for Inc while |
am gone. intend 10 stand fast to my colors and
show the "boys" that sailor boy can be II true
soldier Of the cross and do his masters duty.
This will be the last you will receive from me for
a long time "a we 90 away on Monday; but when
am gone don't feel sad but look up and He who
never SAUNDERS or sleeps will watch over you.
Let Us trust more fully in Him and He will guide
us. Pray to God that he will keep and comfort
YOU and also your sailor lad. ! will do the same.
Tell father will write him when We get to st.
Thomas.
"i,KE rms LETTER To NY MOTHER
Take this letter 10 my mother
Far the deep blue sea:
lt will MI her heart with pleasure,
Shell be glud 10 hear FROM hir.
How she wrpt when last parted.
How her heart was flllrd with pain,
When she said Good bye tod bless lOV..
We may never meet again
Take this letter 20 my mother:
u will MI her heart with 10Y.
Tell her that her prayers answered
God protects her absent boy.
Tell her to I've glad and cheerful.
Pray for whrrc'cr roam.
And ere long I'll turn footsteps
Back towards my dear old hUmr
TAKE this letter to my mother:
II l. filled with words - love.
II earth IN never u'tt hct
Tel her that wen meet above
Where there il no hOur of parting.
All Is peace, aud love, and Joy.
tod will bless my dear old mother
And protect her darling hoy.
The Peoria National Democrat will De- dubbed
with 'hr FREF TRADER At +? -