New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-28
A "REMINISCENCES OF DANIEL WEBSTER.

4 "REMINISCENCES OF DANIEL WILLS ER.
To me Edtt0r Of the Trt6uHe.
SIR: The Webster Centennial celebration at
Marsd has drawn out any remluscences:of the great
lawyer aud statesman. Permit me through your col
to contribute my recoec0ns Of incident never
before given TO the puDlc.
In the late autumn OF 1910, my FIRST visit to Wash
ingon. found myself fellow occupant OF seat IN the
railroad with young gentleman, then stranger 10
but who turned ont to be Mr. Ray Thomas. son OF
that Captain Thomas who had sold the Marshheld fr m
10 Mr Webster. He then on his way to Washington
10 resume his duties confidential secretary to his
chief Mysel; a ger Washington readily adopted
Mr.. ThOma-'s advice to stop at Browns Hotel,
where was assigned room adjoining that Of Mr..
Thomas Mr. Webster at that time occupying
house directly opposite tine hotel In few days inter
our arrival Mr Thomas taken seriously i'll with
gnant fever the seeds OF which had doubtless been
sown In his system while ne was short time before
the West on business for Mr. Webster This fever
marked almost from the beginning by great mental dis
tIrbances which after a few days broke into Wild
paroxysms, and settled into continuous mania.
Tie attendance which was able give at the bedside
Of the sul brought me into most unexpected rea-
tons with Nj Webster then his flyeighth year.
the summit OF his great Senatorial fame aud az that
time universally designated the Premier Of the
elected and incoming Administration Of General IIar-
rsou-n which, III The ensuing March, he officially
sworn as Secretary Of state. As Mr.. Webster wished
know frequently, every day, or the condition OF Dis
sick friend aud secretary IL became naturally my duty
10 carry the reports and thus beautifully revealed
10 me the loving and sympathetic aide II Ir. Webster,
who was so generally supposed 10 nave no such side
But my especial object Il To bring out an incident
which during brief fatN Illness,
nights before Mr. ThOmass death. II was about mid
night had rctuTued from party halr an hour before
ana Looked into the sick chamber 20 see how things we're
UroQrrssing 1 found Thomas in his bed, high-po-t
alfo.hiourd bed-tead. the chutz curtains or when
rere Iopped back professional male nurse sitting no
he foot II the bed closely watching the wildly lhln5
,sfa md Ia
cooling beverage to administer upon some desperate
chance OF lis being required Al was husued ana st,
snvc the turbulent raw OF the patient, WhO flushed,
fryrri-h and Wi.dcvrd, pouring ot confused Tor
present. the actual aud fauciful, were strangely mixed
aud iyubcd suddenly the dOOr-ldtch was uIcu ana,
vftiori knocking, ~ Informal GrifnCiy way, 1T
Webster entered, dressed carefully Hnd thporltrF III
BIZ fivorlc suit used only on high occasions, pe coat
with brass bltOB-, DuH vest and pHch trousers cNi-
deutly iust from dress party. WIN lltoInaI Irc's
uron az nurses and myself DY sASt luc4hlluu 81
h. head, he turned himself round 60 the Oed Wlrte
Thomas continued his raFiuE5 anu parting e,5n ln.I
widely the opened curtains, said, ia his woHdelIui tour7
but as II addressing perIecty sane nlAq
How 10 you do tonight, Ray y The eHect was IN
.rautnueoi- and magical. Tuc tide OF insane IaVtiS
was Instantly Ell There was NOT rouA IuI li1'
sex uar's bps hi, face assumed calm, natural eA-
ure.-iou h eyes ar became natural ana RATIONAL
and those red fires suddenly sOftened down lhto an
afertiOuas t- ing XprtssOn ~ luohlL- UP i'lo i4
Meb.trr's face tArcT his arms around MS nee au
sinking BAGS on MS pillow, drew iAe massive riu gov j
into tue brdr and upon his own Guest ItIt uSt
Grand head Tor perhaps Two minutes -'.-l'-t -
the solemn hush seemed quarter OF an nut' W.
the hands relaxed their hold. Sir Neo7itF ny I.->
himself g. "A standing position, ana the via id'i5'
IHmcd utely recommended hcNtI TO- ,-t'.V-,,f
unit. stIhed 10y Ccatu. $780,, Joli' H. 1HA-' "o''