The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-09-19
Last Hours of VIM. Alexander.

Some one of tender heart writes the
following letter 10 the Oxford Press in
reference to the sad death Of VIM. Alex
andcr al account of which appeared in
this paper last week. TO the many
friends Of the young man in this town
this letter will be of very great interest:
| am aware that obituary notices are
too often only fulsomc ilattcry, picturing
| the subject as he seemed to the fond hearts
of his loved ones, rather than as he ap-
peared to strangers; yet feel that it is
due TO the memory of Willie Alexander.
dying as he did, far away from the com
| fOrting presence of friends and home.
| that those friends should know how
| bravcly he battled with the fell destroyer
| and how calmly he met his untmely end
Being by his side from the moment he
| fell, crushed by the ptiless wood and
iron, until hc quietly passed away, five
| hours afterwards, | have never witnessed,
even among the veterans and heroes of il
hundred battles, a man stand face to face
with death as bravely and undismayed,
showing such nerve and courage and I'M
talterlng purpose to die like man, as
this untried boy Of seventeen. Had he
lived, the qualities of head and heart
which shonc forth i'll the five brief hours
in which | knew him would surely have
won him high place among men; and it
made me doubly sorrowiul to see such a
brave spirit crushed just at the threshold
of life.
From lack of any previous acquain-
lance am unable to speak of his better
qualities in life, but everything that
saw of him, and especially several incl
dents of which l shall speak, were suifi-
cent to stamp him as being all that the
fondest friend could hope. In order to
strengthen him to stand the terrible pain
he was suffering a messenger was told to
run for some liquor; overhearing which
Willie Immediately said, "No | don't
drink whiskey aud | don't want any"
and when some wine, which was all that
could be had, was pressed to his lips be
refused to take drop. And again when
his brother reproaceed himself for hav-
ing sent him iii his own place he said,
''Better me than you, Herb, you are more
use at home"
After the doctors had made an exami-
nation he asked as to his condition, and
said Il am ready for anything, but l
want you to tell me if the worst has got
to come. cap stand it,
He never for a moment lost conscious
ness, but retained all his faculties strong
and vigorous, conversing freely with all
up to half hour of his death, even re-
| calling the number of the car which had
| caused his death. This was surely a
| trying moment, suffering most intensely,
and knowing he had but few hours to
live, and at that time surrounded only
by strangers, uncertain whether n. Jther
or brother would arrive in time. At such
moments have heard strong men cry
out in anguish, and pray piteously for
life and friends and home; yet not once
did his brave heart fail him, no unmanly
| tear; dimmed his eye. no wish to live or
fear to die crossed his lips, firm set in
| the resolve to bear the worst calmly:
though only God knows what prayers
were in heart for strength and mercy from
above.
He said he chopped that he was fit to
die, and trusted to Christ for forgive
ness" and surely all may have good
cause to hope that The God of justice and
love whose forgiveness he had asked and
prayed for in his days of health and
strength, would not desert him in this
the darkest hour of his need.
have here pictured Willie Alexander
only as seen by those who attended him
in the last trying hours of his life, and
leave to others the task of telling the
many acts of love and kindness that had
been woven in with his indomitable will,
industry, pluck and perseverance, to make
up his life in the few short years that he
| lived
ONE THAT HELD HIS HAND IN DEATH.