Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-03-20

ClUCh III MS uuil slIIho iouI. NcAt hc
described the return of the agony on
Monday night, when he sent for DIR. Jo-
seph Tabor johnson, who made a hy-
podermic injection of morphine, which
afforded relief. He then asked DR.. John
son to carefully auscult his heart, and
the doctor pronounced it free from dis
ease This" said Mr.. Sumner, is ad-
dtional proof that | am not a sufferer
from heart disease, but from the disease
of the spine, and the network of nerves
indirectly connecting the spinal cosd with
the heart" How little thought, as |
listened to his words, how soon they
would have a melancholy interest for the
public.
THE SENATOR'S LAST HOURS.
Mr.. Pierce remained after | left and
had quite talk with Mr.. Sumner on
matters OF mutual interest. Soon after
he went away Mr.. Sumner felt return
of pain and sent for DIR. Joseph Taber
johnson, who came at once, accompanied
by his brother, A. B. johnson, who was
Mr.. Summers private secretary when he
was assaulted, and who has always en-
joyed his esteem and confidence. On
their arrival at Mr.. Summers study they
found him walking to and fro like man
suffering from the toothache or any other
severe pain. He welcomed the doctor
and asked for relief by hypodermic in
lection of morphine. DIR. johnson re-
piled that he must undress and 60 to bed,
to which Mr.. Sumner at first objected
but finally consented, apologizing all the
while for giving so much trouble. The
first injection not producing the desired
effect Mr.. Sumner asked for and received
second one, and Mr.. A. B. johnson
bathed his feet in warm mustard water.
Soon the pain apparently ceased and Mr..
Sumner said in pleasant tone, "Ive
turned the corner and am on the road to
sleep. Do go home, doctor, and you,
johnson, go to bed" DR.. johnson and
his brother retired to the next room, Mr..
Summers study, where they were soon
gratifed by hearing his full, regular
breathing as he enjoyed quiet sleep.
In about half au hour they heard him
start and groan as if in pain, and soon
found that second attack had occurred,
with more severity than the first one,
which was soon followed by great pros
tration. DIR. Lincoln was at once sent
to for consultation, but he was not at
home, and DIR. w. P. Johnston came
with Mr.. Sam Hooper, Mr.. ii. L. Pierce,
and the writer, who had been summoned.
Meanwhile DR.. Joseph Taber johnson
had administered brandy and carbonate
of ammonia, and had, with the help of
Mr.. Wormley, applied bottles of hot
water and mustard poultices to almost
every part of his body, hoping thereby
to produce reaction. DR.. Johnston on
his arrival approved what had been done
but decided that there was no hope of
recovery. Mr.. Sumner gradually sank,
giving but few evidences of conscious
ness during the night. His pulse was
several times so weak as to be scarcely
perceptible. At times he dozed for few
moments, then the pain would arouse
him, and he would exclaim, "My bookl
my book / should not regret this had l
finished my book +" This idea he re.
peated over and over again in slightly
varied language during the night.
At A. NJ. Joseph Taber johnson tel
egraphed to DR.. Brown-Sequard, urging
him to hasten here. He also requested
Surgeon General Barnes and DIR. N. S.
Lincoln to meet him for consultation,
and they were at the patients bedside at
eight O'clock. The result of their con-
sultation banished all hope of Mr.. Sum-
ner's recovery. They stated in more pro-
fessional language than l can use that
the nerves around the heart were so af-
fected that the heart was unable to use
its full force in expelling the blood into
the arteries, go that it became stagnant
and poisoned. Every exertion was used
to restore warmth and consciousness, with
such partial success at times as to en-
courage his friends with hopes of his re-
covery, but the experienced medical
practitioners saw no hope. There was
also a constant collection of mucGs in
his throat, which caused rattling res
piration, and at times be expectorated
bloody mucus.
Rev. DIR. Sunderland, the Chaplain of
the Senate, called in the morning, but
the suffering patient was in no condition
to talk with him. The reverend gentle
man retired to the library with several
of the Senator's friends, to offer appro-
pirate devotions. He first read selections
from the 14th chapter of John, and then
fervently prayed that it might be the