The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-09-07
raE pREsrpENrs CONDITION.
: -S-N
Conflicting Reports of His State During
Removal

Conflicting Reports of His State During
Removal.
WASHINGTON, Sept 6-Shortly before leav
ing the White House DR.. Boynton said: 81
feel that the President is in better condition
to-day than any time for a week He is still
very much Frustrated; and any change for the
worse at present would prove very serious
matter. The glandular trouble is much bet
ter. Some signs of improvement are notcea-
BILE in the wound. His pulse has improved in
character somewhat since yesterday. am
anxious to get him out of the CITY,"
There are two reports as to the Presidents
condition as he was being taken down the
avenue. One is that he was in state OF
complete stupor, in consequence of the unusu-
ally large quantity OF morphine administered
by hyperdermic injection just before leaving
the White House. The other is that he ex-
pressed qualification at the fact of his removal.
The former story is undoubtedly correct, but
the want of consciousness did not long contin-
ne, as Secretary Lincoln has just received
despatch from the train just beyond Balti-
more stating that the President was doing
we'll and was enjoying the trip. Those who
walked beside him from the White House to
the depot could see no sign of consciousness
There was no action observable except in &C.
casional restless movement of the head as in
pain and there certainly was no word spoken.
How much his heart was upon the Journey his
talk during the early part of the night showed.
81 suppose" he said to DIR. Bliss, ssbefore
midnight at GlliS Gltllo tO-IuOIrOW L snail DO db
Long Branch" The Doctor sought to quiet
him and told him that everything was ready
and the wagon was at the door, but that if he
did not sleep and have good rest he would not
be in condition to go. The President then
seemed to make great effort of will and en-
deavored to sleep. No long after, however.
he again said TO an attendant, 81 suppose at
this time tomorrow l shall be breathing the
sea air." His thoughts were constantly upon
this. He complained of the heated air, devoid
of life, that he was compelled to breathe.
The sea air has always been a tonic to him. He
looks to it now to do for him what the skill of
the surgeons has failed to do for him. Being
again enioined that his sleep was necessary to
strengthen him, he again summoned his power
of will and after midnight fell asleep. The
doctors early began their preparations for the
Journey the chief of which was to administer
large hyperdermic injections of morphine in
order to produce sleep For the removal at
least from the White House to the depot they
preferred stupor to excitement. At A m. he
was already in stupor, and they did not leave
the White House till little before a. m.
the bedside all night, and very few of the
White House family slept There was no
thought of anything but the removal At the
hour the President left the White House the
pulse was higher than it generally is at that
time in the morning bnt the temperature and
respiration were normal. The most touching
sight was poor little Mol ie Garfield in tears.
The White House has not been happy place
for her. The members of the Cabinet left at
1890 for Long Branch in a special car attached
to the regular train. Befora leaving they all
had favorable dispatches from the Presidential
train.