The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-03-26
Last Moments Of John RandOlph...A Ora.
matte Scene.


The scene at that moment is described
by DIR. Parrish in papers that he left, as
being deeply affecting, The diving man
stretched forth his atenuated hand and
said as his will was read: ESPECIALLY
for this boy, john" The latter, con-
scious of his masters rapidly approach
ing dissolution, and overwhelmed with
gratitude for this last act of kindness,
burst into tears. DIR. Parrish states that
Mr.. Randolph said when he entered the
room, ST know you through Giles" and
the doctor supposed that Mr.. Randolph
alluded to the late Governor Giles, of
Virginia, by whom DIR. Parrish was for
merly consulted. The doctor and all the
witnesses remained with the dying man
until he had passed away, as Mr.. Ran
dolph said that this was required by the
laws of Virginia where testament was
made freeing slaves, and providing for
their subsequent support. In making
his preparations to die, Randolph had
brought to his bedside, and hole large
enough for it to fit in was cut in his shirt.
Dr. Parrish's papers state that ne lay
perfectly quiet for few moments, with
his eyes closed, and then very dramatic
scene followed. The room was hushed
in stiffness, when Mr.. Randolph sud
denly reused up and exclaimed: ere
morser' It was repeated again and a
third time at the top of his voice and
with agitation He cried out: "Let me
see the word; get dictionary; let me see
the word" He was told there was none
in the room. ''Write it down then; let
me see the word" The doctor took up
from table card bearing the words
Randolph of Roanoke" in which the
servant had punched hole that it might
be tied to the baggage, and asked If he
should write it on that, and Randolph
responded that there was nothing more
proper.
Mr.. Randolph took the card in very
hurried manner, and fastened his eyes
on it with great intensity. "Write it on
the back" he exclaimed, and this was
done, when the card was handed back to
him. He was very much agitated and
said, 'sRemorsei You have no idea what
it is; you can form no idea of it, what
ever; it has contributed to bring me to
my present situation. Now let John take
your pencil and draw line under the
word This was done, and the doctor
inquired, what am 1 to do with the
card?" ''Put it in your pocket-take
care of it. When I am dead, look at it, :"
was the reply.
The lead pencil marks on the card are
nearly as plain as when first written, and
the underscoring on the back shows that
he did it with a very tremulous hand, as
the line is uneven. The lady who has
this card in her possession also has a
number of papers bearing upon the
death of Mr.. Randolph in the form of
correspondence with gentlemen in Vir-
ginia, in which the orthodox 'thee" and
'.thou'' are invariably used. In one of
these, to William Leigh, of Halifax
county, Virginia, DR.. Parrish says, in a
description of Mr.: Randolph's actions,
when he ordered his will to be read:
He appeared to me to rally all the re-
naming energies of mind and body to
accomplish this great and last act of his
life. His soul appeared to be engaged
in it, viz: The confirmation of will
wherein he made provision for his slaves.