Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-30
Dangerous Illness Of Ex-Presideni Martin
Van BuFen.
KINDERHoOK, New York,
Friday, July 70, 1902 5
Corresnondance of the Boston LonrnalI

KEDERHooK, New York.
Friday, July 70, 1902. 5
Correspondence of the Boston JO1rnaLI
| The public have been for a considerable time
! painfully apprised Of the precaTious illness Of
| the venerable ex-President Martin Van Buren,
al his cid heuse in this beautiful village He
! has bse2 out of health and gradually declining
| for nearly year, but, as previously announced
by telegraph, within the last few days his con
dition has become rapidly dang gerous, and the
| announcement Of his death at any time would
be received with more sorrow than surprise.
The chief cause of the ex-Presidcnt's illness
was the mildest form of asthma, which has since
developed itself in a dangerous catarrhal affec-
ion of the lungs ald throat from which he can
receive little if any relief The affection al
times is very painful, and causes great difficulty
in breathing. During the month of February
and until the month of May, Mr.. Fau Buren
was in New York. under the treatment of some
eminent physicians, such as MessTs. Griswold
Clark, and Metcaf, but ne returned home with
out receiving any apparent benefit OF relief He
has since been under the care of his family
physician, Mr. j. NJ. Puyn, of this town. For
nearly a week his mind has been almost con
stantly wandering, although, with one or two
exceptions, until yesterday, he has been able to
recognize sRd converse with his physician. He
partakes Of every little nOurishment, however,
and, as a general thing, is seemingly lost to all
trsnbpiring events around him Ii the appetite
could be revived, the physician is of the opinion
that he would continue in his present state and
perhaps more comfortable, for a considerable
time, but Of this there appears to be little hope,
and the worst fears Of his disease mus. be soon
realized.
Previous to the wandering of his mind, and
once or twice since when reason returned, Mr
Van Buren, has evinced the most lively and
patriotic interest in the affairs of the county
No longer since than Tuesday when the day
before he was hardly expected to survive, be in
quired of DR.. Pruyn how the good work Of
crushing the rebellion was going on, and was
very particular to learn if the public confidence
in the President and Gen. Mcclellan was yet
firm and unshaken, as he thought it would be-
He appeared much grstfed when answered in
the Affirmative. He has continually denounced
the course of Buchanan's administration from
the first, but has expressed the utmost conf
dence in that Of mT. Lincoln. The war, he
thinks, is justly and as vigorously as possible
carried On-the rebels brought It upon them
selves and thoy should be severely punished
He has all faith in the ultimate triumph Of our
arms and cause, but not without great expendi-
lures of blood and treasure, as events have thus
fer demonstrated. lie has the utmost confidence
in the military ability Of Gen. Mcclellan, Of
whom he is an old and warm personal friend,
and if he is sustained and aided BY all the loyal
people, the flag, cur country, the Constitution,
and the great principles Of American liberty viii
be thoroughly and permanently re established
throughout the rebelious States.
The SOth birthday OF Mr.. Van Buren occur
red on the 18th of December last. lie survives
his wife about 40 years, and has a family of
three sons, all married, viz: John, Smith and
Abraham, the first named the Oldest, and the
latter the youngest Smith and Abraham are
here at home, and John, who has been an inya-
lid for the past two years, but is now recovering,
is at Lake George.