West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1881-10-21
now TIE PRESIDENrs DIED.
The Deaths aud Funeral Ceremo-
nies OF President GRrfieId's Pre-
deCesSors

New York World.
The daath OF General Garfield
amid such tragic and pathetic circum-
stances, may render interesting some
notes upon the subject Of the pass
ing from life OF his predecessors in
the Presidential chair and the scenes
attending their inhumation.
Washington took cold during
fye-hours ride over his plantation
on the 18th cf December, 1899. dur.
ing the last two hours of which he
was exposed to a sharp stOrm of
snow, hail and rain. The cold de-
clared itself the next evening, when
be was very hoarse, but be made light
Of 1t. Il never take anything for
cold, . he said; ''lst it go as 1t came"
At . o'clock next morning he awak-
ened his wife, but would not let her
rise TO send for a doctor lest she
should take cold. When the Score
tary was called at daybreak be found
Washington breathing with Difficult
ty and hardly able TO utter a word
lntelligibly. Doctors were sent for,
and meanwhile he was bled and
gargle was prepared, but, on at
tempting ID use it, he wac convulsed
and nearly suiTocsted The doctors
remedies were not OF more avail,
and at 4.30 p NJ. he sent his wife
for two willie, had her destroy one
sud intrusted the other TO her keep
ing, giving her instructions as to his
letters, papers and accounts. To his
secretary and servant lie was as
courteous and considerate as ever,
biddllg the latter, who had been in
the room standing by his bed nearly
all day, 20 sit down. Between 3
and 6, when assisted to cit up. 81
ieel | am going" he SAID to the doc
tors; Il thank you for your atten-
tions, but l pray you to take no
more trouble about me. Let me- 60
off quietly cannot last long"
Further remedies were tried without
avail in the evening. About l0,'
writes his Secretary, che made sew
eral attempts to speak to me before
he could effect it. At length be
said; i am just going; have me de-
Gently buried, and do not let my
body be Put in the vault in less than
three days after / am dead / bow
ed assent, for / could not speak. He
then looked st me again and said:
Do you understand meY l replied:
'Yes' Tie we'll said he. About
ten minutes before be expired (Which
was between 10 and IL oclock) Lis
breathing became easier. He lay
quietly. He withdrew bis hand
from mine and felt his own pulse. ]
saw his countenance change, and
spoke to DIR. Crsik, who came to the
bedside. The Generals hand fell
from his wrist. l took it in mine
and pressed it to my bosom. DR.
Craik put his hands over his eyes
and he expired without a struggle OF
sigh" The body vas buried on the
18th, schooner being stationed Of
| Alexandra to FIRE minute guns
while the procession moved from the
house TO the vault. The troops
horse and foot, led the way; thsr
came four OF the clergyj then Wash
ingtons horse, with his saddle, hol
sters and pistols, lei By two grooml
in black then the body borne by
Freemssous and officers, followed by
the family and several old friends
, among them DR.. Crsik and some o
the Fairfaxes the corporation 0
Alexandria. Az the tomb Rev. Mr.
Davis read the funeral service and
+ delivered brief address, after which
= the Freemssons performed their Ger.
emonies and the body was deposit {
in the vault. Such was tho deati
and burial Of the first and greatest
Of the Presidents.
The second and third President
died on The semi centenary Of Amer
ican Independence, John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson, the latter tht
writer and the former the orator o
the Congress Of l776, the one thr
author Of the Declaration Of Inde.
pendencs, and the other The "pilla
d Of its support and its abIest advo.
cate and defender Adams at 8.
preserved remarkable activity o
mind though bic sight was i'm paired
+ SO he could neither read nor write
BY April 1896, it was evident tha
he was falling, though his nsigbbor
hoped fondly that he would be abl
to attend the celebration Of Inde.