Evening Star Newspaper, June 6, 1937, Page 78

G—I18 DEATHBED VRS OFFANOUS GV flocke'feller’s “That’s Bet- ter” Recalls Rcmarks of Others Near End. By the Associated Press. | The last recorded words of John D. Rockefeller, gone finally to his grave after nearly 98 fruitful years, were: #That's better.” v It was just a whisper. The croesus #f oll, the prince of philanthropy was at the last, just an old man, weak and 1, murmuring a word of appreciation %o his servant: “That's better.” The dying words of men always as- sume significance. What are men’s | thoughts as they leave the earth? Is there a moment at the end when man looks both ways—back to life, foward 8 eternity? The question is moot. Only the final words of dying men can be witnesses to their thoughts; and often | delirium robs them of their im- | portance. | Dr. George Miller Beard, a famous | American pioneer in the study of | nerves, was on his deathbed. “I should like to record the thoughts of a dying man for the benefit of science,” he murmured, “but it is impossible.” Scientist to Last. Thus he died. To the last he was the scientist, searching his mind for something that might help posterity. There is a tendency of dying men to voice the things dearest to them. Sometimes it 1s a principle. Often it is their country. Many times it is loved ones. To Gen. Winfleld Scott | it was a horse. | “James,” said the hero of the war | with Mexico as he died, “take good care of the horse.” | Henry Clay, master of words, died sobbing: “Mother—mother—mother— and my dear wife!” | The dying words of patriots in- | variably are the most dramatic. | Nathan Hale faced death with these last words, which every school child knows: “I only regret that I have but | one life to give to my country.” The youthful patriot, James Law- rence, one of America’s great naval | heroes, cried out as they carried him below, mortally wounded: “Don't give up the ship!” | Soldiers fight even to the door of | death. Charles Baxter, a colonel of | the American forces in the war with | Mexico, was wounded as he led an attack. Dying, he whispered: | “Say to my father that the New | York regiment was there. and that | I fell where I should have fallen—at | the head of it.” | Brig. Gen. James Clay Rice, a Union soldier who died at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, muf- mured with his last breath: | “Tell the 44th (the New York regiment he had commanded) that I am done fighting. Turn me over and | let me die facing the enemy.” | Defiance breathes in the dying words of many. R Words of Crittenden. Col. William L. Crittenden, an American engaged in a filibustering expedition in Cuba during the middle of the last century, was captured by Spaniards and sentenced to death. He was ordered to kneel with his back to the firing squad. To his executioners he shouted: “An American kneels only to his So he died, standing erect, with | eyes blazing deflance. Even & traitor has his moment of | high nobility dt the death hour. | Benedict Arnold, who betrayed Gen. | Washington and the Continental | Army, died in London years later; | and his last words, they say, were: “Let me die in the old uniform in which I fought my battles for freedom. | May God forgive me for ever putting | on any other.” i Samuel Ddvis, the scout of the Con- federacy who was executed when caught within the Union lines with valuable papers concealed about his person, was offer:d his life and free- dom if he would tell the name of the Union officer who had supplied him with the information. With a chance to save himself, the young Southerner scornfully replied: 3 “Do you suppose that I would betray & friend? * No, Sir! I would die a thousand times first!"” Edgar Allen Poe, with a soul as susceptible to emotion as a reed to a breeze, died crying out, piteously: “Lord, help my soul!"” Thomas Paine, another famous | American writer, was asked by his | physician: “Do you wish to believe | that Jesus is the son of God?” Paine’s reply was his last utterance: “I have no wish to believe in that subject.” James Russell Lowell, in physical totment, groaned: “Oh, why don't you let me die?” Those were his last words. Washington Irving’s Words. Washington Irving, another of the proud names of American literature, was as calm at the approach of death @s was his leisurely prose. 5 “I must arrange my pillows,” he said, “for another weary night.” It was the night of eternity for the author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The cold drama of the scientific mind is found in the last words of George W. De Long, arctic explorer. There was no human ear to hear, but the words are written imperishably in his diary, found long afterward: “140th day. Boyd and Gertz died | during night. Mr. Collins dying.” Cornelius Vanderbilt, not as rich 8s Rockefeller but rich nonetheless, said as he died: “Yes—yes; sing that for me. poor and needy.” 8o a rich man died. Daniel Webster's last words were almost oratorical. “I still livel” He cried. ‘Then he was dead. The last words of presidents often disclose that the leaders of govern- ment think of their countrymen even s they face eternity. Washington died with resignation, saying: “It is well” But William Henry Harrison's last words were: “I wish you to understand the true principles of government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.” Said Thomas Jefferson: “I resign my spirit to God, my daughter to my country.” And William McKinley, victim of murder, murmured simply: “It is God's way. His will be done, Dot ours.” 5 President James Garfield whispered at the last: “The people my trust;” and President Buchanan slipped Quietly into death with this prayer trembling on his lips: Iam “Oh Lord Almighty, as thou wilt.” I\ THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. VC.. JUNE 6, 1937—PART FIVE. 3-Piece A faithful reproduction of the Colonial period. Solidly built of maple with hard oak interiors. Includes a charming bed, chest on chest and your choice of hand- some dresser ‘or smart 6-drawer kneehole vantty. 2.Pc. London Club Living Room Two massive pieces, expertly upholstered with soft web bottom construction that is fully guaranteed. The dur- able tapestry covering is sure to prove most service- S. able. Trade in your old suite on this ideal creation. 3-Piece Solid Maple Sunroom Solidly constructed and beautifully finished in honey tone maple. All pieces feature auto spring seats and ¢ comfortably padded backs. colorful rust or green tapestry. _ A outstanding value! 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