Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 217
platform. He was then given an ovation by the
audience, each member rising to her feet and
waving her handkerchief. So much was he
interested in the proceedings of the meeting
that he remained through the morning session
and at four o'clock came back to the afternoon
session ; upon adjournment of which he returned
to his home, where he arrived about six o'clock.
At the dinner table the family engaged in conversation
upon the topics which had occupied
the attention of the Council. After dinner the
same subject was continued in the east parlor.
In the midst of the conversation Mr. Douglass
walked out into the center hall, when he suddenly
fell to the floor without uttering a word. Mrs.
Douglass, coming quickly to his assistance, saw
at once that he was seriously ill. Being alone in
the house, she ran to the front door and called for
help. Several men, attracted by her cries, hurried
to her assistance. A physician was immediately
summoned. In a few minutes Dr. Stuart Harrison
arrived and used every means in his power to
revive the dying man, but without avail. The
heart ceased its faint motion after twenty minutes
from the beginning of the attack, and apparently
without a struggle and without pain the great
soul of Douglass passed to its final reward.
The announcement of his death spread rapidly
through Anacostia and Washington and caused