Delta chief., 1885-07-29
LIFE'S EITFUL FEVER DER
The Hero Of Appomattox and the Idol
OF q Continent Sinks
Gently to Rest.
He Dies Surrounded by His Sorrowing
Household, While the Whole
World Mourns.

early morning hours at the Grant cottage were
cool and refreshing on the veranda, where in
candescent electric lamps were burning all
night. The thermometer marked at 2 O'Clock
this morning 70 degrees. This was the equable
temperature maintained in the sick room while
General Grant remained in New York. The
morning breeze stirred the curtains at the
window near which sat the sick man, and
famed his face more gratefully than could the
careful hands that were waiting near. Be
tween and a. m. the gray tint Of anC ther
day crept up the horizon beyond the green
mountains, perhaps the last earthly day Of
General Grant. About and around the cot
tage all was still. Occasionally the nurse
walked upon the piazza.
At nearly 8 o'clock, Mrs. Grant came out up
on the veranda and seated herself on one Of
the many deserted willow chairs, scattered in
groups about the piazza. For ten minutes she
sat motionless and looking away to the East,
where the gray tint Of another day had grown
to full promise. Her face rested against one
hand, and she was evidently wrapped in
thought. Suddenly there came the sound Of
rattling, latoring cough from within. 1t was
the General, clearing the affected part Of bis
throat Of mueus. Mrs. Grant left the piazza
quickly and seated herself by the Generals
side, slowly tanning his face The coughing
was not severe, but only incidental Colonel
Fred Grant entered the room while the nurse
was aiding the General, and took place at the
side and behind his father.
The morning had passed o'clock, and the
time had come to administer food. The nurse
touched the shoulder Of DR.. Douglass as he lay
asleep on the couch in the same room. He
arose and administered the food, and after
ward cleared the Generals throat. As the
doctor laid aside his appliances, General Grant
leaned forward in his chair and signifed de-
sire that lamps should be brought The nurse
fetched lamp and held 1t at the sick mans
shoulder.
At that moment the General turned his face
toward the light and upward to bid the nurse
bring his pad and pencil. His wish was not
at the moment understood, and turning trihe
further the General repeated his wish. The
scene at the moment was picture In shad
ows. As the Pickering candle-rays fell across
the face Of the General, 1T became grim Rem
brandt, with the strong rugged lines broken
down by suffering and pain. On his head was
the skull cap that at times lends startling ef-
feet to the sick mans appearance, and from be-
meath 1t struggled the hair that clung in sweat
moistened locks about the neck. A crimson
scarf fell across his shoulder; a dark dressing
gown covered the patients form and q hand
kerchief encircled this neck. The gray Of the
close-cut beard seemed white, and the lines On
his forehead were deep indeed, and when the
face was turned upward to speak, the eyes
seemed grayer, too, and abnormally large.
They were clear, showing that his mind
was clearly at his command, but there was
that wistful and yearnirg expression that
makes women weep and men grow sympathiz-
ing The Generals face, as he spoke, ap-
peared strained and drawn, but its color and
fulpess were not such as would be expected
after such suffering and care. ihe lips moved
heavily, and the whisper was husky and low,
but the nurse understood and the pad and
pencil were brought. Then the light Of the
candle fell on his downcast face. He wrote,
briefly. The slip was handed to DR.. Douglas,
who at once turned It over to Colonel Grant.
1t was q private family communication, and
when It was finished the sick man resume d his
half-reclining position, with the head gently
inclined forward, and his elbows on the sides
Of the chair while the fingers Of either haud
were interlocked each With the other, beneath
his chin.
Up. m.-Dr. Douglas has Just left the cot
tage. he says the General sits with his head
inclined forward and his eyes closed the great
er part Of the time. His ipulse is very weak
and futtering. The patient once during the
morning attempted to write, but succeeded
only IN writing the date, the effort being
greater than was warranted by the little re-
naming strength. He bad spoken at inter
walls, but his voice was very feeble. During
the forenoon food was eaten and retained.
With the declining day, the physician believes
the General will also rapidly decline. All
visitors are kept from the cottage, and Sab
bath-dsy quiet prevails about the spot. DR..
Douglas and DR.. Newman are with the family,
and the day is one OF quiet waiting.
2:15 p. mat 2:15 O'Clock members Of the
family and DR.. Newman were grouped in q
darkened room near General Grant. observ.
ing their evidences Of feeling the General
said: ~ do not want anybody to be distressed
on my account"
At Q o'clock the Generals pulse was up TO
the point Of 1856 beats to the minute, and was
in a nntterng state. During the evening the
e1tremlties OF the sick man have been cold and
in the visible symptoms arc the signs that ma
ture puts out when death is approaching.
The General, as the night passes, seems to be
suffering no pain, although the lines Of bis
face ar. tensely drawn and the furrows Of the
brows ore knitted as he lies upon the cot, be-
side which the family are constantly watching.