Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-30
THE LATE REV. ANSON GREEN
PHELPS DODGE, JR.
DIR. c. H. Meldrin, the attenc

THE LATE REV. ANSON GREEN
PHELPS DODGE, JR.
DR.. c. H. Meldrim. the attending
physician, gives an interesting descrip-
ton of the last hours of Rev. Arson
Green Phelps Dodge, jr., who died in
Frederick, ST. Simon Island, Ga, last
week.
The utter absence of fear at dying
made Mr.. Dodge strong man in the
face of death He had requested DR..
Meldrim to inform him frankly when
the end was near. The afternoon Of
the night he died DR.. Meldrim inform
ed him ne could not recover. The
shades of night were darkening the
rooms, and the shadows CT the moving
being near by crossed the dying mini2-
ter's bedside SIS his physician bent
over and uttered the words that told
him his life on this earth would be for
out few moments longer. An express
sion of ineff4ble joy frightened his feat
ures when the sentence was finished,
and he sank back with look of SUI
premest contentment in his eyes. Call
ing those around him TO his bedside he
said
doctor, examine me and sea If I.am
strong enough to write my name, and
II my brain is working clearly. Nanett'
Ito his wlfr), please see that table
md good, strong light are placed
ear the bed. Then. please, get m
.ome paper, a good pen and some ink
Now. wish to dictate codicil TO my
Will"
This codicil," states DR.. Meldrim,
was long, covering over two pages OF
foolscap paper. Mr.. Dodge dictated
very word with pupctillious exactness
As to the legal form and phrases. When
it was finished he directed that l
sign as a witness, and calling for
George and John L. Stevens.
he directed that they also sign
Having finished debating, he asked for
the pen and paper. Holding it before
him with good, strong grasp, aud the
palm of one hand for desk, he signed
nis name as egib'y as in the days of his
vigorous young manhood. He then
called for his wife and two of the littl'
girls who were part of the household.
they came to him, and he began to
| counsel them for the future. We with
lrew from the room while he delivered
them sermon, together with an ad-
moaition as to their lives for the future.
The sermon and admonition over, Mrs.
Dodge read the Episcopal prayer fer
he dying. while ne met the RESPONSE
in clear, firm tones, concluding with az
cutburst of hymnal song that Was
randy eloquent in its Christian sin :
plicity. At its conclusion he blessed
hem all and in doing so delivered a
benediction upon their heads as noble
and as glorious as human mind can
conceive of. Calling me back in the
room, l bent over him end he asked ;
Doctor, how long?' l did not answer
and he spoke again: Fifteen minu'es?'
70 this l said No, perhaps not that
soon. Then thirty?' he said, and | re-
Dlied Perhaps Place the clock on
the table beside me, DOCTOR was his
| next request, and we did so. He lay
there suffering and watching the min
utes go by. As the hands of the clock
reac6ed lobe looked at me with those
intensely black eyes cleaning reproac l.
iully aud said Now, doctor, you told
me at 1O' l turned away. Such abso
lutte fearlessness in the face of death
seemed incom prehensible. | thought
Of him in connection with that
expression. would to God that
very infidel could see this Christian die.
The minutes passed on and be tossed
restlessly, breaking out in snatches
| of song to relieve his suffer
| ing, We asked ii we could do any
thing to please him. With that spirit
which characterized his thoughtfulness
of others, he replied: 1t is hardly OF
use to put you to trouble now, but il
ycu would like to please me, 60
to my closet and get ono bot
tie of sweet ard one bottle OF dry wine
and bring both here We did SO, and
ne gave directions for each to take q
small glass aud fill about onethird
full. Giving him one also and holding
ours before us, we listened while he
raised his hand and said: Here is
wishing YOU life and health and Gods
blessings all the days allotted to each o.
YOU on this earth aud spiritual life in
| the great beyond.
1--WE drank the toast and benedic-
ton in silence, while the hand of the
diving man did not tremble as he re,
turned his glass. i,
1.-THE minutes sped on and DR.. Hugh
Burford, from Brunswick, entered the
room. He had just arrived on spe'
cial boat and driven across country
several miles. As be walked over tt
where Mr.. Dodge was lying ne Wa;
met with au apology from the patient
for having been called over on what NJ NJ
termed such useless errand.' ltwil
not be long, doctor, before am away
and beyond this earthly distress. L,
you gentlemen will excuse the delay
will not keep you waiting many min
utes. 1t is, perhaps, well that thai
should go. My life was given 10 tn'
service of my Lord and Master, and
He sees fit to call me it will be one
grand, sweet privilege 10 rest forever
under his protecting care
1.-The grasp of his hand grew weaker
his head inclined slightly aside IN iaE
.,;rL;,cx ,x,av op6 tha hreath that hA(