DEATH OF A CHARACTER.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 274, 24 August 1872, Page 3

DEATH OF A CHARACTER.

“ The death of a deeply afflicted,” says the Pall Mall Gazette, “ yet withall a successful man, is recorded in the American papers. William H. Hawthorne, Esq., died at his residence at Hillsboro, Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 18th ultimo, and his life is, or ought to be, a lesson to all those who are apt to feel discouraged under difficulties, and give way to despair. The Brownsville Clipper gives an interesting memoir of the deceased gentleman, from which it appears that at the age of 13 he was so afflicted with rheumatism that he lost the use of both legs and also of his right arm. His feet ■were drawn up against the thighs, and his right arm and hand horribly contorted The flesh on these limbs gradually withered away, his head and body alone continuing to grow. For the purpose of locomotion he .was placed in a box, in which he passed his life, constantly lying on his back, and attending to all kinds of business for the last GO years. He acquired a good English education, and taught a school for a number of years, and at the time of his death was serving his seventh term as justice of the peace, having acted in that capacity for nearly 35 years. He used the pen with his left handj and wrote a very accurate and legible hand. In 1853 he was awarded a contract for carrying the United States mail on the route between Pittsburgh and Wapnesburgh, and at the expiration of the firßt term he was allowed to renew the contract. He kept a number of horses

and employes, but ho superintended the whole business himself. At the age of 23 he eloped with a Mrs Wilson, and was married to her without the consent of her friends. The marriage turned out happily, and was blessed with 13 children, lie is described as a man of iron will and almost iron constitution. Compelled as he was to remain through life in a recumbent position, ho wrote with tho paper on a small board before him, and from constantly keeping his head raised upward and forward the muscles of his neck became so prematurely strong that he could hold his head in that situation without fatigue.”