The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-08
a rsagIe Death.


There is . monument 10 Rose Hill
Cemetry, Macon, Ca, which, with It's
inscription, suggests many memories.
1t is the. monument Of "Dr. Ambrose
Baber, born IN Buckingham county,
Va, 18th Sept, 1872. Del at Macon,
Ga, 9Th March, 1916"
At the time of his death DR.. Baber,
although in bad health, was engaged
in the active practice of his profession.
1t was not long after his return from
Sardinia, where he had been residing
in the official capacity of United States
Minister to that kingdom. Among
his patients was a man with consump-
iton. namod Terrell, in Easc Macon.
On Saturday the doctor had made for
him a prescription, which contained
ceanuret of potassium. This drug
consists largely of the elements OF prus-
sic acid, and is a deadly poison, If
taken in too large a dose. The pre-
scription wa put up by George Payne,
then and now q prominent druggist OF
| Macon, and q most excellent MIR.
Payne, seeing that there was a mistake,
filled the prescription, but tied 1t to
the vial, and wrote to the patient not
to take it, that it was a killing dose
aud to show the prescription, with his
note, to DR.. Baber when he arrived.
The next morning early DR.. Baber
made his next visit, and was disap-
pointed and irritated that the patient
| had not taken the medicine the day
before, as his condition required it.
The dose was a teaspoonful. 'To sat
isfy you," said the doctor, on the I'M
pulse of the moment, to the patient,
''there is no danger in it, | will take
a double dose.'% He swallowed two
teaspoonfuls, staggered to a chair, and
in seventeen minutes drew his last
breath. The mistake was the result
of a mlsprint in Ellis ~formularly. All
that edition was called in and destroy
ed, but that slight error of the pub
Usher had already destroyed the life Of
one of the most useful and distinguish
eli men IN the State. Thus, at the ag,
of fifty three, DR.. Baber, while enjoy
ing a high reputation as citizen, ply
stefan and statesman, was suddenly cut
down by death. On that fatal Sabbath
morning, before the people had assem-
1lcd at their several places of worship,
Ltt CASllCuICuG III luO SIl1 Wdo AuCCboO
rhe death of but few men in the State
could have created such a sensation.
Besides bis personal, professional and
political st ,nding, he was conspicuous
as a Mason, having been Grand Master
of the State, and was much beloved by
that order. His friends of all shades
were devoted to him, and he had the
respect OF his foes.
Just twenty years before, to the
month, he had the misfortune to kill
Col. Thos. ID. Mitchell in a duel. The
latter and Robert Augustus Bealle had
an affair of honor without bloodshed.
DR.. Baber was present in the capacity
Of rgeon to Bealle. This was in
December. 1925. The duel between
Baber and Mitchell grew out of some
comments the Doctor had made on the
former duel, to which Mitchell took
exception. The latter, at the time.
was Solicitor General of the Southern
Circuit, resided at Hartford. in Pulaski
county. This duel is strongly illustra-
tive of the tone of that time, whether
viewed from a social or legal stand
point. Although Colonel Mitchell was
the prosecuting officer of the State
against all law breakers, dueling was
above the law, and he was as tree to
engage in it, according to the general
public sentiment, as any other person.
A popularity Of the duel was that Col.
Mitchelrs brother. DR.. Isaac w.
Mitchell, was his surgeon, but he was
saved the embarrassing duty of minis
tering to his brother through the diff
erent stages of gradual death from a
moral wound, as he was instantly kill
ed by a shot through the lungs.