Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-12
Ex-President JOInsOn's Last Hours

A special telegram from Greenville,
Tenn, July 81, to the Chicago Times gives
the following particulars of the death of
Senator and ex-President Johnson:
Ex-President Andrew johnson expired
at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. VIM.
R. Brown, formerly Mrs. Slower, at half
past two o'clock this morning, of paralysis
and heartdisease combined, superinduced
by low state Of the system and over-eXer-
tion as is supposed. Mr.. Johnson left
Greenville on Wednesday morning at six
O'Clock for a visit to his wife and daughter,
Mrs. Brown, at the residence of the latter,
which is some seven and half miles
northwest Of Carriers Station, in Carter
County, this State, in apparent good health
and spirits. He rode from Carriers to the
farmhouse in an open carriage and was
apparently much fatigued With the ride,
which is over very rough piece Of road,
and complained also of excessive thirst.
Aside from the fatigue, however, he seemed
in unusual good spirits, and spent the
day in visiting with the family and look
ing about the farm About four o'clock,
having come in from short walk, while
sitting in his chair, laughing and chatting
with his daughter and grandchildren, he
suddenly fell from his chair to the floor
! speprhlnse ond apparently in great pain.
There were no persons in the house at this
| time except Mrs. Johnson Mrs Brown
and her three children Mr.. Johnson
soon rallied somewhat, and, being helped
to couch, regained his speech and re-
Quested that no physician be sent for, as it
was but trif1ing matter. No physician,
in fact, was called in until the next day in
the afternoon, when DR.. JObe, a country
physician, was sent for, who applied Wig
orOus treatment Of counter irritation and
administered an emetic. AS a result Mr.
johnson seemed easier, but, the symptoms
continuing of serious character, the
relatives at Greenyille, comprising his
son, Andrew Johnson, Jr, and Mrs.
Judge Patterson and her children, were
sent for by messenger, and requested to
bring with them Drs. BrOyles and TAYLOR,
physicians of Greenville, the former
MIR. JohnsOn's family physician for
many years. They arrived at the farm
house on Friday at SIX clock, only to dis
cover that the illustrious patient was al
ready past help and in totally uncon-
sclous state, having lost the power of
speech and sinking very rapidly. During
the day Mr.. Johnson had rallied at inter
walls, and conversed briefly of family mat
tiers, not, however, as man conscious of
approaching dissolution. The last act of
consciousness apparent was in answer to a
question from DR.. Jobe concerning the
breaking of an arm, some years ago, by
an accident, and a request to know which
arm it was. Mr.. johnson raised his right
arm slightly in response, and this was the
final act of consciousness evidenced. and
from this time, about six o'clock Friday
evening, up to the hour of his death, he
gave no token of sensibility. The only
persons present at the time of his
death were his wife, his son Andrew, Mrs.
Brown, Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Browns
three children, of the relatives; together
with Drs. Jobe, BrOyles and TAYLOR. Mai.
Pettibone, Assistant United States District
Attorney for East Tennessee, who is a fel.
low-townsman of Mr. Johnson. tells me
that MIR. johnson last Sunday had con-
versation with him Concerning his health.
during which he stated that since his re-
cOvery from a severe attack of cholera
two years ago, he hadnever fully recovered
the use of his lower limbs, and was at
times conscious of extreme difficulty in
making his lower eXtremities, from the
knees down, obey the behests of his will.
often stumbling in walking, and some two
bruised his side and face considerably.
Aside from this fact, however, the Major
states that he declared himself in excellent
health
Mr.. johnson would have been sixty
seven years of age the 10Th of December
next, had he lived. He was ofvery robust
habit, tremendous worker, and babe fair
to live for twenty years, apparently. al
though DR. TaVlOr states that he had
looked for breakdown of health at any
time. Mr.. Johnson's son Immediately
started for the station, after the death of
his father, and took the train for Bristol,
and telegraphed from thence the news to
this place, there being no telegraph station
at Carriers. The news burst like a thun-
der-clap from a clear sky upon his fellow
townsmen here, and produced the most
profound sensation. The news soon flashed
to neighboring cities, and kilograms came
pouring in by scores, driving the operator
at this point nearly crazy.
Sc What are We dancing around fur"