The Dawson journal., 1883-03-08


prostration. For instance, when
he was attacked before his sick
ness was always accompanied with
exquisite suffering. Tt was neau-
ralgia of the bowels or bronchitis,
or rheumatism, or some such all
ment that brought with it constant
and racking pain. His present
illness has been entirely painless
and without any special feature
except an inability to assimilate
the nourishment he took. l was
very glad that DIR. Steiner, who
had been his physician for years
and was thoroughly acquainted
with his system was summoned to
his side. DIR. Steiner stated that
the attack was different from any
he has ever had before and he
shared my views in regard to the
causes and probable results"
"How long has Mr.. Stephens
been unconsciousY
"That is hard to say. His mind
has been gradually failing but he
maintained a persistent struggle
for consciousness up to Wendes-
day night BY the way you were
mistaken in saying that his last
official act was signing Governor
Colquitt's commission. II was
something more characteristic
than a me1" clerical performance.
On W9dr sday afternoon PEI .
tion for a pardon came up for his
action. He had examined it be-
fore. AS he was about to sign it,
Mr.. Seidell said, Governor, per-
haps we had better delay this
matter for few days" Mr..
Stephens Immediately replied, 81
know very well what l am doing"
and signed the pardon. | think
that the last definite consciousness
was the recognition Of DIR. Steiner
He did not know that DIR. Steiner
had been sent for, and when he
appeared at his bed side and spoke
to him there was clear and in.
slant recognition. He talked with
him for moment and asked hin
to accept the hospitalities of the
mansion while he was in the city
His illness has been painless
you say?"
Entirely SO. He is gradual,
declining now, and the end will b,
nainless-much as a tired mar
falling asleep.
MR.. sTEPHENs's LAST WORDS.
| It is uncertain yet what wer,
the last words utteretby the grea
statesman before his death. [
seems to be agreed that his las
clearly conscious conversation
was with DIR. Steiner. Mr.. Seidel
says that yesterday afternoon h,
recognized Mr.. John Stephens
his nephew. Mr.. Stephens askec
the governor if he knew him, an(
he replied; eyes, it's John" DR.
Raines says further that after TIL
occurrence he was attending t.
some of his wants, and movin,
him in his bed, when he said:
doctor, you hurt me-"
'Dr Raines says that thos,
were the last words he ever utta1.
ed. This was purely an acciden
tai exclamation. If this be true
and we could hear of no word
uttered after these, they remint
one Of the last words Of Garfield
who said just before he died:
ooh, Swain, that painr'
1t is strange fact, the las
word wrested from Mr.. Stephens
paid and drawn lips, was an ap
peal against the physical agon,
with which his whole life had beef
racked. For more than half
century the spirit of pain haC
clouded his existence, freightd hi,
every byeath with suferins. Ant
at last, when the shadows of deatl
had catered about his bedside
and the compassionate mercy o
God seemed to have tempered
the pangs Of dissolution, his ole
enemy, relentless and unsparing
invaded even that presence, defec
even that mercy and demanded
the last words his trembling lips
should utter upon this earth.