Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-11-14
The Last Hours of William II. Seward.

THE doctor reached the house at half
past one, and found him propped up on
pillows on the lounge in the study suffer
ing from great difficulty in breathing,
caused by q sudden ovCrw helming ca.
tarrhal e~ifusion into the lungs. II be-2n
with the right lung, and soon involved
the left also. 1t was then evident that
the patient was dying. The pro-
priety Of having professional coun-
sell was discussed at this time by
his son, VIM. II. Seward, Jr., and DR..
DimOut. It was agreed that counsel
should be summoned, il the Governor
would consent, but Mr., Seward had al
ways been adverse to having any OF his
physical ailingS made q subject Of unusu
al attention or comment 1t was only al
this moment that his siuation was such rs
to afford his family and physician sufll-
cient Warrant for insisting with him that
he should consent TO have counsel. I'm
happily the pulmonary clfttsion occurred
too suddenly and Unexpectedly to give
any opportunity to carry on this lnten-
ton. His breathing was painfully OBJ.
structed and lahorious, coming with a
rafting noise that ]betOkGned the effort il
cost to obtain it.. 1t was accompanied
with prOfuSe cX~pectOratlun and mucous
discharges from the lungs. The doctor
ordered stimulants, and rum was given,
but the patient complained that ii oppress'
ed his stomach. lie could take nothing in
tcrnally, but merely gasped and begged
for breath. He was raised higher and
higher from time to time and pIopped up
with pillows and holsters, in obedience
with his request that he might breathe
easier, until ne was nearly in a sitting
posture.
The family and household servants, at
his request, were now summoned to his
presence, as it Was evident 10 all as well
as to himself that he was dying. In a few
minutes he was surrounded by familiar,
but sad and streaming races Of relatives
and dependents. His son-the only one
at home-Gencral w. II. Seward, Jr., and
his wife and two children occupied posi-.
tions at the head Of the conch of death.
Miss Rislcy Seward, the adopted daugh-
ter of the diving statesman, stood weeping
near by. Mrs. Wordcn, "a sister OF the
dying mans deceased wife, stood 10y bis
side holding one Of hi emaCiated hands,
! Mrs. Lucy Bostwjck, a widowed sister oi
/ Mrs. William IL Seward, Jr., and her two
CuliHttn, Ntit a'>"uL INC f'uil'oei' WISE
Cora Richardson, aconndenl&l mernoeI
OF the household, Alrs, Muea Ferry,
near relative, and Mr., Anthony GattuJn,
the Governor priydte secretary, were
also in the room. Besides these, there
were present al the h"n7ehoId servants
Including Harriet bogaFt, a Nentttpit
coiorcd woman VINO has been IN lhe EN-
ploy Of the family upward OF forty years,
o
and was one ot the most sincere ahC
hearibruken monrners at that scene oil
death. Dr Dlmont, h has been Coy
ernor Sewords personal medical attend
ant and most trusted friend tol
Il quarter oi q century, renainet
with the group, mingilng his tears WITH
those Of the children and dependents, q
be stroyc by every appliance o. sclene(
and Skill to aS@lltge the pains 81 the sut
farcr, and smooth and soften the pillow
of death.
Higher 4, higher " gasped the fast
sinking man as lac struggled for breath
and fresh pillows were brought to raise
him. That will DO he whispered, as
at last he was placed in an almost up
right position. Then, CHANGING rount
upon the weeping company, a smile o'
satisfaction stole over his face as he
recognized one and another whose pres
enCe was a pleasu e to him. HIS heaC
then fell back upon the pillow for a mo
ment, and he seemed meditaring between
his long and labored respiration. Final
Ii, at five minutes before three, he AGAR
signihed a desire to be raised q littl,
higher, which being done he smiled his
satisfaction, at the same time saying
This Is %freer,' evidently meaning tina