The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-14
GEN. SHERMAN.

WHAT He SAYS OF GuNsHor WOUNDS.
Washington Dispatch to the New York Herald, 9Th.
The general of the army, in company with
two lady members Of his family and gentlo-
man friend, were seated in the little garden
which fronts his comfortable mansion this
evening. when I approached him to ascertain
his views regarding the attempted assassina-
ton:
Have you been to the White House this evening.
Reneral?" inquired. -.
Not this evening, but I will go before mid
::Whst j, j: your idea Of the presidents chances of
4 have thought from the first that he will re-
II love to hear the general talk 6f this matter"
said the gentleman present, addressing the ladies',
':Yes," said Mrs Sherman. she has maintained
from the first that the president would live"
hearty, ENCOURAGING way, ''and now that he has
lived nearly four days, perhaps, have companions
in the belief. should have.
what caused you to think 80, general?" in
well, when first saw the president upon the
morning of the shooting, l saw no evidence in his
wound was fatal one. have seen a good many
men struck in my day, and my experience has
taught me to take the face or rather the complex
ion it wears, for my guide In making up my opn-
ion of the chances of life and death. don't know
that can convey my meaning by describing it, but
have noticed that VIXEN the face wears . certain
death-lke appearance, as people generally phrase
it, that man dies"
"TIe6, to your mind the face Of the president
when you, saw him aftet the shootiar didn't wear
that peculiar e&prSssiUn7'
mo, sir: it did not. Tho word die wasn't in hi.
face as far as could see You must remember he
isa man of remarkably fine physique. exception
ally robust and possessed OF large. well,knit
frame, naturally healthy, and strong and muscularly
powerful. Besides, his habits through life have
been most correct, and he has therefore avoided
ANYTHING that would impair his health"
Then his vigor increases your belief in the
chances Of his recovery?'.
Certainly it does. Had he been less muscular
or less healthy man, with nervous system some
ing his face might wear the expression Of Which
spoke win, or the exercise of it. has great deal
to do with these matters If a man has pluck and
eminent degree. He don't die SO easily, and after
the first shock of the wound, which may be ever 50
serious and yet not very painful, he makes up his
mind to live and half the battle is won."
physicians strengthened Your own?''
Mol can't say they have exactly: that is not
positively; but you should bear in mind that they
haven't because Of the professional risk they run
giving any positive expression opinion: Quite
naturally they tenderfooted in giving Their
views. Their regulations are at stake, and none
better appreciate it than they do"
Have you heard anything encouraging from any
of them that has not found its way into print"
to-day He told me that tho president had not vet
yoted in the sense Of retching, that Is what little
vomiting he has done has caused him no more pain
than it would you or to spit out some mucus
which we had easily raised by slight cough. Do
you catch my meaning? No pain accompanied the
vomiting: and according to Gen. Barnes it should
hardly be regarded as vomiting as the discharges
were slight and very easily made. That of itself
seems to be good sign" :;.a.
Vomiting, and excessive discharges at that. are
always incident to fatal wounds. have seen men
who had sustained eunshot wounds in the abdomen
aud intestinal regions-and. indeed, in other por-
tions OF the trunk aside from the region of the
heart--lyng prone on tho field, and have OBJ
served that in such cases where the wound proved
often and very much, rolling in it for that matter,
and seeming to suffer great agony because of some
thing on his stomach which it wanted to be rid Of
PERHAPS you have seen an extract reproduced in
this evenings papers from talk with Gen. Grant,
who says that he obtained his commission Is first
lieutenant because his superior died from gunshot
wound similar to the sustained by the president.
There seems to be few instances Of recovery from
such wounds?"
Il am aware that the surgical statistics of the late
will show yon that eunshot wound. except in the
rares scarcely he called similar to another
however much it may resemble it in calibre and
shape of the ball. strength Of discharge aud location
Of shot. may be wrong, but as mems bodies are
in every conceivable position when they are
wounded It il hard to say after = man lives few
days what is and what Is not fatal wound. Aud az
to similarity of tho wound, why . great many
things must be considered before venturing an
exact opinion. Men differ in build, in hardness Of
ton of the body, because of occupation, mode Of
living, excess or Temperance. Besides, tho exact
position Of the lower muscles and 90 forth, OF the
body At tho time tho ball strikes differs vastly, II
seems to me- because Of the attitude pose Of the
person. and this Ia Its turn produces difference In
thu dAn0Ar Of thu vonn1"