Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-07-22
LIFE'S LIGHT
FLICKERS OUT
After vaIient Fight Against Death
Pope Leo XIII succumbs to the
Inevitable.
is TRANQUIL EVEN IN DEATH
Peaceful Passing Of One of the
Worlds Greatest Characteristic.
cred College Supreme.

Rome, July 2U.-Pope Leo Nil ls
dead.
The last flicker OF life expirei at
four minutes past four this after
noon, and the pontifi now lies at
rest.
The period Of over two weeks that
Pope Leo passed In the shadow OF
death, was no less wonderful than
his life.
Rome, July 20.-Of the supreme
moment Of the pope's death, Doctor
Lapponi, one OF the pontiff's physi-
clans, gives an impressive descrip-
ton. He says:
death occurred through exhaus-
ton, although In the last two hours
Pope Leo made supreme effort to
gather together all his energies. He
succeeded In recognizing those about
him, by the sound Of their voices, as
his sight was almost entirely lost.
Still he made marvellous display OF
his energy and even his death was
really grand. 1t was resigned, calm
and serene. Very few examples can
pc given OF man OF such advanced
age, after so exhaustive an illness,
showing such supreme courage In
dying.
"The pontiif's last breath was
taken exactly at four minutes after
four O'Clock. approached lighted
candle to his mouth three times, &C.
cording to the traditional ceremon-
ial and aiterwa ards declared the pope
to be no more. l went to inform
cardinal Oreglia, dean of the sacred
college, who at once assumed full
powers and ordered that the vatican
be cleared OF all curious persons hav-
ing no right to be therein. COntem-
poraneously, the cardinal instructed
Monsignor Righi, master OF ceremon-
les, to send the Swiss guards from
the Clementine hall to close all the
entrances to the vatican and dismiss
all persons from the death chamber,
the body being entrusted to the
Franciscan penitentlaries."
His splendid battle against death
was watched the world over with
sympathic attention, and was at
tended with tremendous efforts to
conquer the weakness by the marve.
lous power OF his mind.
The pleuro-pneumOnia, with which
his holiness had been suffering was
scarcely SO responsible for his death
az that inevitable decay OF tissue
which ensues upon ninety-threey years
OF life.
The tested steel which had bent so
often before human ills. was bound
to break at last.
Tonight the emaclated and liieless
frame which held 80 brave a spirit,
lies on a bed In the Vatican.
The red damask c0verlet rests
lightly over the body; the cardinals
scarlet cape is about his shoulders,
while on his head has been placed
the papal hood OF velvet, bOrdered
with ermine,
A white silk handkerchief is bound
about his chin, and In the hands that
have blessed SD many thousands has
been placed crucifix.
So Pope Leo will remain until to-
morrow, watched by uniformed Off
GERS OF the noble guard and rough
clad Franciscan penitentiaries, who
will keep a ceaseless vigil until the
burial ceremonies.
Tomorrow the sacred college OF
cardinals Will assemble for the Off
eial duty Of pronouncing Pope Leo
dead. This sad function performed.
the body will be taken to the throne
room adjoining the death chamber,
where it will be embalmed.
The funeral ceremonies will extend
over nine days, the remains being re-
moved to the Cathedral Of Saint
Peters, where they will lie In state.
The ultimate resting place Of the
dead pontiff will be In the magnih-
cent basilica, OF Saint John Lateran.