The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-06-09
Tho Deathbed OF Poe.

-
"Poe was engaged to be married. Just
before the day set for the wedding he
came to Baltimore on his way to Pnila
ielphia and New York where be wished
to settle his affairs with publishers for
whom he wrote. He left his trunks at 8
hotel In Baltimore and started on the
train for Philadelphia. Finding that the
Susquehanna River was rough be declin-
ed 10 cross it in boat and returned to
Baltimore on the same train. The con-
ductor OF the train told me afterwsrd
that he saw two well-dressed men whom
be knew to be blacklegs watching the
poet in the car. When Poe got off the
train he walked toward the docks, fol-
10 we'd by these two men He was then
dressed 10 a 6ne suit OF black. A few
hours later he was found lying on plank
upon some barrels at tbs Lsight street
docks, within thirty feet OF the terrible
den OF iplquity. He was insensibIe, aud
had on an jill fitting garb OF stained bonn.
bszine clothing, an old straw hat, rag
ged shirt, anil pair of travel-worn,
wretched shoes. His lady-love told me
that she saw him the day fore and tn 1t
he was elegantly attired. Poe was un-
doubtedlv drugged and robbed by the
two men who dogged his footsteps.
When be Was brought to the hospital
and placed 10 my charge there was not
the slightest sign or smell OF strong
drink around him. He was 10 nv charge
for sixteen hours and then he died. Du.
ring all that time watched him narrow
". and he did not display the slightest
symptom Of drunkard The moment
he became sensible be said to me:
"'Doctor, no conscious act of mine
has brought this great distress upon
me-
"There was q clerk 10 the hospital who
had read some Of Poe's poems and be
accompanied me on every visit to the
death.bed. Afterward he told me that
be wrote down much OF what was said
by the diving man, as the language he
usei was very remarkable.
"'Wbere did you go when you went
to BaltimoreP' P asked him.
"My mind kept no record he said
'It's all . dream-a horrible dream. /
thought they would throw me in the
dock
"Then he talked about Lenore, pet
name nv which be had called his dead
wife. was ANXIOUS to find out what his
weakness was and began to feel my way
in order to make proper diagnosis OF
the case.
"'Mr. Poe, you are very weak ! said
I'll have to give you glass of toddy as
stimulsnt.'
"He; raised bis great, tender eyes and
looked. at me in way that made me
avertmv face. Then he said in solemn
voice: Sir. II i thought that Its potency
would transport me TO the elysian bow
ers ofthe undiscovered world / would
not taste it,
"sBut-von need sleep. urged You
aresiexhsusted ri give you an opiste.
"sTwin sisterlto the doomed and craz-
ed In perdition,' be exclaimed moodily.
ssSoon afterwsrd ! told him that be
must die. He seemed to have known
the fact before. hut my statement affected
him deeply and be looked up with wild
look and said slowly: oh God! is there
no ransom for the deathless spirit
81 told him that there was hope for
him and for all men; that God was love
that men who had lived terrible lives
could look for mercv to the Savior, and
he rejoined In these peculiar words
God has His DEGREES legibly imprinted
on the frontlet Of every human being
and upon demons incarnate Their goa
is the seetbing wave OF black despair
"Still I urged blm to 60 to Christ's
feet while he vet had time. He murmur,
ed, Too lstel Alb! too Iate!' and roll
ing his eyes upward he folded his hands
and said in clear voice:
Father. do believe, know;
Fer Death, who comes to me
From regions of the blest afar,
While there's nothing to deceive,
Hath left his iron gates aiar;
And rays of truth you cannot see
Arc flashing through eternity.
"His limbs q,ivered aud smile stol!
over his handsome face. That is hod
Poe died. DR. Moran.