The New York herald., 1875-10-28


more 70 the river side 10 nn asleep On
the wharf was recognized by some friends and
conveyed IN state Of stupor tie famous Washington
University Hospital where fourteen hours afterward
lie died The record of this closing period of the poets
life Is now preserved to history finding light for the
arst time n the columns Of the HERALD through the
following transcript Of memoranda which were made
by the physician in charge of The hospital the time
the unfortunate man was under his care:-
OPTICAL MEMORANDA Or run DEATH or EDGAR A. PoF,
~ . J. MORAN NJ D.
Edgar A. Poe brought ii hack 70 the Washing
\ ton University Hospital situated on Broadway north
u Baltimore street. Baltimore city the 7th or oc
tober, ls4o lie bad been found lying upon a bench in
front Of large mercantile house on Light street wharf
II was in a stupor whether from liquor or opium was
not at first known. gentleman passing along the
pavement noticed several persons collected about the
spot ana looking in through the crowd suddenly
Impressed with the face and close inspection recog
nzel the poet He had been there since early dawn.
policeman sent for a hack and directed the hack
man 70 convey him 10 the above named hospital which
was in my charge, being the ntphysician and
living ia the dwelling attached thereto. II about
ten O'Clock 10 the when be entered the house
He Immediately placed in private room, carefully
d
knowledge Of his previous condition what his
habits. There vas no smell Of liquor upon his person
or breath There was derium His skin
was palld with slight nausea at the stomach and a
strong disposition sleep His condition of
\ stupor BE sponged with lukewarm water, sin
apsms applied to the leet, thighs and abdomen, and
cold applied to the head
1had the room darkened and he was otherwise made
As comfortable he could have been in his
home. placed experienced nurse at the thresh-
old 81 his door with orders to watch him closely
and prevent the slightest from without, and give
notice fany sign of wakefulness CONSEQUENCES
In half hour afterI left him he threw tae from
\ his breast, opened MS eyes and said
''Where am I2p
\ The nurse gave me the signal and was Immediately
at his side. drew chair close to the bed took his
hand in my own and with the other smoothed his fore
head pushing back the dark curs that covered
/ It, and asked him how he felt2
He sand, miserable"
"Do you suffer any pain2E
eNo.n
sDo you feel sick at the stomach"
sYes.n
care you thirsyf"
sNo.n
ting my hand his head
ssYesn
s'Does It feel heavy dull?'
Heavy mind cloudy" he said.
''How long have you been sick2"
"Cant say"
"Where have you been stopping9n
In hotel on Pratt street. opposite the depot"
Have you trunk or a vaise or anything there
which you would like to have with you?n
"Yes, trunk sith my papers and manuscripts"
ar you order it will send for it,"
He thanked me and said ''Do SO at once . remarkng
| 'fYou very kind-where l. DoctorPn
''You in the Of your friends;' 10 which he
replied 'Ay best friend would be the who would
blow my brains out with pistol"
Try and be quiet Mr. Poe; we will do all we can to
make you comfortable and relieve your distress"
''Oh wretch that l ami Sir when l behold my
degradation and ruin, what have suffered and lost
and the and misery have brought upon Others
feel that could sink through this bed into the lower
most abyss below forsaken by God and man, an out
cast from society. Oh God the terrible strait in
Is there for the deathless spiritSn
"Mr Poe do try and compose yourself and take this
draught; It will soothe and revive you.n
He reached his hand to take the glass the nurse
raising his head while administered the cordial He
drank and was laid down. closing bis eyes as though
going to sleep.
remained BY his side watching closely every breath
manner Of breathing and trying make his case
! and my diagnosis had been impressed that he was
suffering from the too free Of alcoholic drink only
from what | could gather from those who him on
the wharf and did not know how long he had been in
this state but he did not manifest symptoms justify
their suspicious. He had no tremor was not hdgetty
with his hands, or impatient, but answered all my
questions calmly and nationally. There great
palor or face injection Of the coats Of the eye,
and pulse sharp and quick noticed twitch-
- -.
face and slight jerking Or the limbs. He remained
in this state about hour, when he again walked
1 up suddenly opening bis eyes
said him. both to be OF service and TO ascertain
whether he would be inclined to take liquor for with
Incorporate subjects VINO have delirum trenens a
little OF the hair of the dog that bites them often pro
4 duces a cure
sswi you take a little toddy9n
\ He opened wide his large eyes and Gxcd them so
steadily upon NE and with such anguish them that
! looked from him 70 the wall beyond the bed. He
SAID
"sr II its potency would transport me to the
\ Elysian bowers Of the undiscovered spirit world I
would not taste It, would taste IT, or its horrors
I who can tells"
u must administer oplatc to give you sleep and
restn
Y Then he reioned:-
erwin devil and spectre Of crazod and doomed
mor,als or earth and perdltionl"
eMr Poe, 1t is very necessary that you should be
quiet and free from excitement; you in critical
condition, and excitement VIII hasten your death"
"Doctor, am i'll Is there no hope2"
"The chances against you"
"How long, oh, how long before see my dear vir,
giniaY NY dear Lcnorei would Ike to see my love,
my dear lovep'
II viii send for ary one you wish 70 secn
knew nothing of Ills family, and asked, "Havo you
d fsmiy2u
''No my wife il dead, my dear Virginia; my mother
in-iaw lives ch how ny heart bloeds for her. Deaths
dark angel has done Ills work. an 50 rudey dashed
upon the storm without compass Or helm. Language
canuot tell the gushing that swells sways and
sweeps tcmpostlIkc, me, signalling the larum o.
death Doctor write q my mother, Maria GLENN.
Tal hnr her EAA-a hnrn No TOO LIZ tnn LIZ