The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-04-07
A HERo,s DEATH.
How Commodore Hull Faced His Last
Earthly Enemy.

Or. Ruschenberger, In Stodddrd's Rerfetc.
One day. early In January, ls43, while b,
was looking over some files of letters, he sale
In the presence Of Mrs. bull: :" IL you thInl
my life worth writing you will find all my
papers In order and you will have little
trouble" A day or two after found him
sitting alone In his chamber. He said: oil
am not better very soon shall put some
home questions to you. wish to spare Mrs.
Hull all the pain and trouble can. wish
you to go TO Laurel Hill and pick out lot
for me. mentioned II TO Mrs. Hull several
weeks ago, but II distressed her so much that
dropped it. Let the lot be on the hillside,
where the water will drain of, because l do
not like the idea of being water-logged after
i am dead" At my suggestion, Mr.. Freder-
lex Brown, one Of the managers of Laurel
Hill Cemetery, visited him, and selected q
site which Mrs. Hull afterward examined
and approved. Commodore Hall ordered
vault TO be constructed, for which he gave
verbally general plan, and detailed instruc-
tions for building the corners. He said be
himself did not care to have over II anything
but plain fiat stone but II others wished
different kind Of finish, they might do as
they pleased.
After the work was started he said TO me,
while we were alone +" Now that the Laurel
Hill business is settled, you must get an I'M
dertaker to come and measure me for cof
I'm. IL would not trouble me more than get
ting measured for pair of boots. wish to
spare Mrs. Hull as much as possible. 1t can
be managed SO that she will not knew any
thing about It," objested that, should Mrs.
Hull learn by chance that an undertaken had
been In the house, she would be greatly
shocked. On my assurance that would
take care that she should be relieved of all
matters Of that Lind, he at once scquiesced.
More than once requested the Commo-
dore's permission to call DIR. Nathaniel Chap.
man In consultation, but he declined, saying
pleasantly: zone good doctor is enough; !
have full faith in YOU" My anxiety caused
me TO appeal to Mrs. Hull 10 influence the
Commodore TO consent to q consultation.
She objected to DR.. Chapman. At last 1t
was agreed that might call Professor Sam
uel Jackson. After two or three visits DIR.
jackson suggested that Commodore Hull
held too conspicuous place In public esti-
nation to lack the best advice obtainable In
his critical condition, and for this reason we
should insist on having the aid of DR.. Chap
man. He was called. After we retired from
the patients room for consultation, DR..
Chapman said, In his sprightly manner:
"You are two rascals. You know that the
dear old hero must die, and you have called
me- to divide the responsibility Then he
very sedately and carefully discussed all the
features of the case.
Our united attention and efforts were with
out benefit. Hisstrength abated daily. After
the 7th or 9Th Of February he was unable to
leave his bed. He declined the services Of .
professional nurse. remained with him
every evening until midnight. In the course
of the evening of the 18th Of February he
repeated what he had said TO me few days
previously: az am not afraid to die. I have
never knowingly wronged human being
ana TO the best OF my ability i have always
obeyed my God aud served my country"
He was perfectly tranquil and slept quietly
an hour or two st a time. Awaking about
midnight and perceiying me sitting by his
bedside, he said: alt must be late. Why
don't you 60 home? There Is no reason why
you should lose your rest. can call Mrs.
Hull il want anything" Then he fell
asleep, breathing easily. He walked again
and said: "Doctor, what O'Clock is it?" / /
answered: "Just half past one" "Why |
don't you 60 home? It will be all over be.
fore daylight. can die alone just as well |
Is not" The next moment he was asleep.
In short time his respiration and circula-
ton became irregular. called Mrs. Hull,
who was In the next room. He was uncon-
scious. At 2.20 a. m, February Is, 1s43, he
expired very TRANQUILITY. Thus ended the
life Of him who, an English writer said, was
the first man of any nation who sver took
m English frigate In fair and single fight"
/