Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-12-03
HORACE GREELEY.
His Last Illness and Sudden Death.

illness ana uclln OIL MI. Ufeelcy. %
tar rs any of his associates knew, Mr..
Greeley was in almost rs good health us
usual, when on the day after tho election
he wrote the card announcing his re-
sumption OF the editorial charge OF the
Tribune. His sleeplsssnoSs was known
10 have become greatly wolsc; but tor
years he had suffered more OF less from
the same difficulty, and, rs is now clear,
sufficient allowance had not been made
for the intense strain on him Throughout;
the summer, especially during the last
month of his wiEe's illness But it soon
became evident that his strength was un'
equal 10 the hard task to which he had
set himself. lie wrote only three or four
articles, no one OF them beng half a col
umn in length. The most notable, per-
hapS, was that entitled Conclusions.
wherein he summed up his views OF the
canvass. In all he wrote less than threo
and halt columns after his return, con-
tributiug TO only four issues of the paper
Two or three tunes he handed his assis-
tau; short articles. saying, There is IN
idea worth using, but l haven't been able
to work il out properly; YOU had better
put It in shape" ~ last, on Tuesday.
the 18th inst, he abandoned the effort 10
visit the Office regularly and sent for the
family physician &C NJ. A. j. Johnson,
the friend with whom lie was guest,
and in whose house his vile had died.
Every effort was made to induce sleep
but he grew steadily worse until IL be-
came evident that his case was critical.
Or. George c. Chosle and others were
called in consultation, and it was finally
decided TO take him 10 DR.. Choate's resi-
denee, two or three miles distant from
Mr. Greeley's country residence at Chap
paqua. Here lie received the uurcmit-
ting attention OF DR., Choate. and here
Drs. Brown, SequaId and others we're
called in consultation. The insomania
had developed Inflammation of the brain,
and under this the venerable patient sunk
rapidly. At times he was delirious, and
at other times he was rs clear headed IS
ever.
He lost flesh and strength with suypris'
inc rapidly, and in few days the posi-
bility OF his speedy death forced itself IN
10 unwilling recognition. II was not,
however. until Thursday last that his
associates and family brought themselves
to admit it, and even then they cluns TO
their faith in the visor OF his constitution.
On Wednesday night he failed very
rapidly.
On Thursday afternoon and evening he
seemed somewhat easier. During the
night he slept very uneasily, muttering
occasionally and frequently raising his
right hand.
Toward morning he was more quiet,
and between and 9 fell into nearly an
unconscious condition, which continued
with some intervals through the day. lie
made occasional ordinations, but many
of them, in consequence of his extreme
weakness, and apparent inability to finish
what he began, were unintclligibls.
About noon. however. lac said quite
distinctly and with some force, 81 NOW
that my Rsdesmer l.yeth" During the
day he recognized various people his
daughter many times, the members OF
his household at Chappaqua, Mr.. John
Il. Stuart and Mr. Reid.
On the whole he suffered litt.s; seem
ed to have no more than the ordinary
reSussssneSs which accompanies the last
stage Of disease. During the day bis eX-
trcmities were cold and there was no
pulse nj tue wrist. The action OF the
head was very intermittent aud was con-
stautly diminishing in force. Up With
in half an hour OF the end he manifested
in various ways his consciousness OF
what WAS going on around him, and even
answered in monosylables and intelli'
gently, questions addressed to him.
About halt.past three he said very dis
tinctly: 1T is DONE" and beyond the
briefest answers to questions this was his
last utterance. His youngest daughter
Miss Gabrielle, was with him though
out Thursday evening and Friday; the
Oldest daughter. Miss Ida, was in con-
slant attendance.
The WINERY night had fairly set in
when tho inevitable hour came. With
ont, sleighs were running to and fro bear
ing to Chappaqua the nearest telegraph
station, the latest bulletins which thou.
sands of anxious hearts in the great city
near by kept demanding. Within, the
daughter and few others stood near the
| dying man, who remained conscious and
seemingly rational and free from pain
though now TOO weak to speak. IN the
room adjoining sat one or two more
lIiends and the physician. At ten minutes
before o'clock the watchers drew back
in reveyent stiffness from the bedside
The great editor was gone in peace after
so many struggles.
/ ------~~--=