Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-02-01
Touching Description Of Death In Luna
tic Asvlum,

| tIC Asylum
The Southern Churchman of this wee
contains the following about the death O
an unnamed patient at the Western Stat
Hospital here:
81 send few extracts from letter from
friend giving an account of the death o
one of the patients in the asylum at Staun
ton. I am sure it will do good for our PEG
pie to know how tenderly the afflicted one'
are cared for. 1t is such comfort tt
know that even when the mind and body
have become diseased the soul keeps wei
and can commune with God. XXX.
Ny Dear Mr.. --,
have thought a great deal of poor Mrs
~ children. She had told me of hel
husband s condition. so [ was not surpris
ed when saw his death noticed in the pa.
per. Mrs. - was on this ward with me
she was very much depressed in mind, and
gradually grew worse in mind and body.
[ never saw any one treated with more
care and tenderness; she was never left a
moment alone, and DR., Walker was with
her as often as possible, and so thoughtful
and gentle with her. Mr.. -, surely we
ought to thank God for placing this good
man over us Our attendants are two
young girls, sisters, and SO faithful and
true are they, and so gentle. say this
that her dear children may know that their
mother was surrounded with every tender
ness. There is also lady on this ward
from -, a Miss -, who was very con-
slant in her attentions to Mrs. -, for
we were all very much attached to her. I
will now give as exact an account of her
sickness as l can. She was taken sick
Saturday, and lay upon her bed very quiet
and motionless all day.. Miss - went to
her in the evening and inquired if there was
anything she could do. She replied in a
very low tone, Eyes. dear, a drink of wa
ter,'' and when Miss - gave it to her
she said, "Oh. this is beautiful water.''
Miss - read to her on Sunday two chap
ters in the Bible, and again another time
she read that beautiful chapter of st. John,
"Let not your heart be troubled. :" She
became speeches. Monday; she evidently
wanted to say something. Monday night
Miss - and had to retire according to
rule; she kissed Miss -, and when went
in she put her hands on each side of my
face and drew me down and kissed me ten
derby.
was SO anxious to stay with her, but
Of course it was not allowed, and she smil-
ed and pointed her finger to the door. Our
dear little girls were with her through the
night. went to her directly was up
and saw the great change had come over
her, but she knew us. [ read to her the
service for the extreme sick, and now and
then she would press my hand. There was
no fear; our dear friend seemed perfectly
conscious Gas we could judge by her eye
and motions) and still calm and peaceful.
Tuesday night we had to leave her again
to our little girls. and Miss N. told me in
the morning that she lifted her to give her
some drops; she took them, and with one
gasp. died. forgot to mention one very
touching scene. Monday morning the
patients collected around the door of Mrs.
IS room and sang, ''Just as ann very
sweetIy. I was sitting by her bed holding
her hand; she pressed my hand and smiled
once OF twice. Mr.. -, you would look
with wonder upon the good kind hearts
among some of Gods afflicted ones here.
Very truly your friend,