Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1889-06-22 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

LAST DAYS OF A HERO.  Particulars which have just been received of the last days of Father Damien, the leper hero, state that on the 28th of March lie took to his bed, and on the 30th began his direct preparation for death by a general confession and renewal of his vows. Next day he received the Holy Viaticum. On April 2nd Father Conrardy gave him Extreme Unction. "How good God is," he said during the day, "to have preserved me long enough to have two priests by my side at my last moments,and also to have the good Sisters of Charity at the Leproserie. That has been my "Nunc Dimittis.' The work of the lepers is assured, and so I'm no longer necessary and will soon go 'up yonder.'" "When you are up above, Father, you will not forget those you leave orphans ?" "Oh, no! if I have any credit with God. I will intercede for all in the Leproserie." I then, says Father Conrardy, begged him to leave me his mantle, like Elias, in order that I might have his great heart. "Why, what would you do with it ?" he asked, "it is all full of leprosy." A few days of respite, even of rallying and hope, followed. The good Sisters of Charity often visited him. Everybody admired his wonderful patience. "He, so ardent, so lively, so robust, was nailed down to his miserable couch, yet without much pain. He was laid on the ground on a wretched mattress, like the poorest leper. We had the greatest difficulty to get him to accept a bed. And how poorly off he was ! He who had spent so much money to relieve the lepers had so far forgotten himself that he had not a change of linen or bedclothes." On the 13th he had a bad relapse, and all hope was at an end. A little after midnight he received Holy Communion for the last time, and began occasionally to lose consciousness. The next day he still recognised his comrades, but could not speak, though from time to time he affectionately pressed their hands. On the 15th his agony began, and soon all was over. He died without any effort, as if going to sleep. After death all marks of leprosy 'disappeared from his face, and the wounds- in his 'hands were quite dried. At his own request he was buried under a large pandahus tree. When he first landed at Molokai he had no dwelling, and was obliged to sleep for several nights under the shade of this tree, and for this reason he desired to be buried there.  As John Carmichael, a teller in the Northern Bank, Belfast, did not make his appearance at business, inquiries were instituted, and it was found h that he ad committed suicide at his residence by shooting himself. The deceased was about 40 years of age, and had been for about 20 years connected with the bank. During the recent thunderstorm, a servant named Laura Adams, living at Norwood, had a marvellous experience. Some time since she had her left eye removed owing to the presence of disease, and *as fitted with an artificial one of glass. Being out; in the storm, she was struck by a flash of lightning. Directly afterwards' she felt something wits wrong with the left 9avity, and on 'arriving home she found Quitgiffivap niod been broken to pieeer..  „, ,  I-• . •  .46'111r• • ,••••= I Oil 4.44 thllA4 1 I