The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-06
GEORGIA'S H0N0RED DEAD
Scenes in the Mansion and Around
the Deathbed of the Governor.
A Calm and Peaceful Deatb-Lass Words OF
the Dying Statesman-His VIII and
Religious Belief
Atlanta Constitution, Sunday.

Atlanta Constitution, Sunday.
THE Governor is dyingl"
This was the message that greeted all COM
ers. In the parlor fronting the quiet group
was the Stephens historic chair-empty-and
strange as it may sound, desolate looking.
So long had he lived in it-so intimately had
its life been interviewer with his-so com
pletely had it pulsed and throbbed and quiv-
cred under the touch of his gentle fingers,
and so faithfully had it responded to his
slightest impulse, and interpreted his inner
most and unuttered thoughts-that it seemed
to be part OF him as it sat there so still and
silent. 1t commanded the Difference and
reverence of those who looked on it. Al
ready it seemed to have claimed kinship
with his suffering, and to have grown mo-
tionless under the touch that would stop
forever and for aye the fitful beating of its
masters heart.
AS the rooms were filling gradually the
other parlor was lighted and gradually the
whole lower floor was lit up, just as it was
when few months ago many of the same
persons who were then present had escorted
Mr.. Stephens amid the applause and enthusi-
asm of a vast crowd to his first night in the
mansion. The callers made congenial groups
in the parlors, the library or the hall, and
talked in low tones. As one of the doctors
came from the sick man he was at once sur
rounded by questioners. The steady response
was:
HE is sinking rapidly and can live but
few moments"
1t was thought that even after all hope had
been abandoned by those who knew best,
that many still chung to the idea that the
Governor would still fight his way through
the cloud that gathered about him.
Drs. Miller and Steiner remained at Mr..
Stephens's bedside almost constantly. In
the bedroom were only the physicians and
the relatives of the Governor No one was
denied admission, and many friends paused
in the door for a moment.
He was in the last room on the left of the
lower hall. The bed was in the further cor
ner of the room, and the Governor was. lying
on the front part of the bed.
He was very much emaciated and his pal
Tor was intense. He seemed to be in no pain
whatever, but breatheds heavily, with appar-
ent effort His eyes were half closed, and
wore strained expression. His left hand
was resting on his breast, and his right hand
lost beneath the cover.
THE CRISIS APPROACHING.
At about o'clock this morning it was evil
dent that Mr.. Stephens was much weaker,
and that crisis was approaching The doc
tors had prepared strong mustard plaster
and put it on his wrist They let it remain
there for perhaps twenty minutes When
they removed il there was not the slightest
sign of Inflammation, showing that there was
very little vitality left.
At about 2:3O his extremties became cold
and clammy, and assumed purplish hue.
DR.. Miller said:
1.-THE end is not far off"
AS the end drew near, Mr. Stephens was
head
slightly to the right The husky rattle in
his throat, that had been plainly perceprible
earlier in the night had ceased entirely.
There was no more heavy breathing, and not
the slightest gasping. He was quiet as baby
asleep in its mothers arms. DR.. Miller held
his slender wrist anxiously. The tired pulse
had almost ceased to beat. Only once in a
while could the trained fingers detect a flick
ering throb, as the ebbing tide wasted slowly
away.
At 8 o'clock Dr. Steiner and Dr. Raines,
who had gone to sleep, were awakened as the
end was inevitably at hand When DIR.
Steiner reached the bedside, Mr.. Stephens
was very much weaker. Two ladies' Mrs.
Stephens and Mrs. Grier, who had retired
for little Sleep entered the room and took
their place by the bed. There were then
present, besides those and the physi-
clans, Hon. J, T. Henderson, Judge
Hall, Colonel John Stephens, A. L. Kontz,
Mr. T. b. Brady, c. w. Seidell R. X. Paul.
ing grew fainter and fainter, but there was
not the slightest disturbance on the paIlid
face. At length DR.. Steiner lifted the wrist
and bent with intenseness over the bed He
then drew back and, putting OIL his glasses,
looked into his face and said:
I'm afraid he is gone"
This was precisely twenty-four minutes
past 3.
After another earnest look he said:
HE is dead"
So gently had the golden cord been loos-
ened that not even the physician who stood
with his hand upon his wrist, knew when
the last link had slipped asunder
AS one stood looking at the worn and
wasted frame-rocked and tossed and strain
ed for so many years. but now at peace at
last-and of the btter and persistent fight
against PAIN and suffering now so softly
ended that quaint quantrain of Judge
Bleckley's came into mind
GLOW costly is life-at what heavy expense
Do we temper the blood and nourish the sense;
But Death unto all is offered so cheap,
1t is but closing the eyes and ceasng to weep"
MIR. sTEPHENs's LAST WORDS.
1t is uncertain yet what were the last words
uttered by the great statesman before his
death. 1t seems to be agreed that his last
clearly conscious conversation was with Dr.
Steiner which we have quoted above. Mr.
Sesdell says that yesterday afternoon he re-
cognzed Mr.. John Stephens his nephew.
Mr. Stephens asked the Governor if he
knew him, and he replied: Eyes, it's John"
DIR. Raipes says further that after this &C.
currence he was attending to some of his
wants, and moving him in his bed, when he
said:
Doctor, you hurt me-"
DIR. Raines says that those were the last
words he ever uttered. This was purely an
accidental exclamation If this be true and
we could hear OF no words uttered after these,
they remind one of the last words of Garfield,
who said just before he died;
''Oh, Swain, that pain!"
1t is strange fate, the last words wrested
frnm Mr. Stenhens,s nallid and drawn Inns