River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-07-30

Dul Sucn was not TIC OplHlOh
of the doctors, who were prepared to
attend the generals death bed at a mo-
ment S notice, or wait through hours and
into the night for the end. More than
that, they were prepared to find the pa
tient alive in the morning. AT z, how
ever, as the three physicians were at
dinner, Harrison came to the hotel and
called DIR. Douglas, who went at once
and alone to the cottage. Soon after
wards another messenger from the cot
tage summoned Drs Shrady and Sands,
and they repaired to the cottage, close
ly followed by DIR. Newman. The exit
of the doctors and clergyman from the
hotel was, however, so quickly effected
that few knew they had been
summoned to the cottage Arrived
there they found the general again evil
IDENTIFY sinking. The general seemed
restless would you like to lie down,
father?" asked Col. Fred Grant, who
noticed his fathers restlessness. The
general nodded, and at the same mo-
ment essayed to
RISE UNAssIsTED,
but the effort was too great and he
sank back into the chair and the colo
mel and nurse aided him to arise and
then supported him to the bed, where
he was carefully lowered to a reclining
position and partly on his face.
The family were all gathered at the
bedside of the sick man, and again DR..
Newman, at about the same hour as
last night, and at Mrs Grant request,
knelt beside the general and prayed.
Heads were bowed down, and tears
were on the cheeks of men as well as
women The doctors stood somewhat
apart, and the family was near. After
an hour death seemed little less rap
idly gaining on the man 1t has pursued
just nine months to day, for it is just
nine months ago to-day, that Gen.
Grant walked into DIR. Douglas to seek
his professional aid for the cancer
that has done what foes and war
could not. The doctor and cler-
gyman strOlled out upon the piazza and
sat near the parlor window and Jesse
Grant Joined them at times, but the
other members of the family remained
in the sick room and watched and
waited, while the General answered
Eyes" and NO to several questions.
Time passed slowly, indeed, and at
length, at 8:15, DR.. Douglas left the
cottage.
CHOW Is IT, DOCTOR?"
was asked him. "He is dying" said
the gray-haired physician. ''Will he
live an hour, was asked again "Oh
yes, and possibly more, but he is pass
ing away" was the response, and
after a little time at the hotel DR..
Douglas returned to the cottage.
GEN. GRANTS LAST DIAGNOSIS OF HIS
CASE.
While in conversation with
reporter, DR.. Douglas read the follow
ing remarkable document, which was
written by Gen. Grant in DIR. Douglas
presence on Thursday, July 2:
ask you not to show this to anyone,
unless the physicians you consult with,
until the end. Particularly, | want it
kept from my family. If known to
enc man the papers will get it and
they (the family will get it. 1t would
only distress them almost beyond
endurance to know it, and by reflex
would distress me. | have not
changed my mind materially since |
wrote YOU before in the same strain
Now, however, | know | do gain
strength some days, but when | do go
back it is beyond where | started to
improve. / think the chances are very
decidedly in favor of your being able
to keep me alive until the change of
weather towards winter. Of course
there are contingencies that might
arise at any time to carry me oil very
suddenly. The most probable of these
is choking. Under the circumstances
life is not worth the living. | am very
thankful (for thankful glad
was written. but scratched out
and thankful substituted) to have
been spared this long because it has
enabled me to practically complete
the work in which | take so much
interest. / cannot stir up strength
enough to review it and make additions
and subtractions that would suggest
themselves to me and are not likely to
suggest themselves to anyone else.
Under the above circumstances | will
be the happiest, the most pain | can
avoid. If there is to be any eX-
traordinary cure, such as some peoplebe
lieve there is to be, it will develop itself.
| would say therefore to you and your
colleagues, to make me as comfortable
as you can. If it is within God 5 provi-
dence that / should 90 now, | am ready
to obey his call without murmur. |
should prefer going now to enduring
my present suffering for single day
without hope of recovery. As | have
stated, am thankful for the providen-
tial extension of my time to enable me
to continue my work. | am further
thankful, in a much greater degree
thankful, because it has enabled me to
see for myself the happy harmony
which so suddenly sprung up between
those engaged but a few short years
ago in deadly conflict. 1t has been an
inestimable blessing to me to hear the
kind expressions towards me in person,
from all parts of the country, from peo
pie of all nationalities, of all religions
and of no religion, of Confederates and
of national troops alike, of soldiers or
CARNATIONS, of mechanical, scientific,
/ religious and other societies, embracing
almost every citizen in the land. They
have brought JOY to my heart if they
/ have not affected cure. So to you
and your colleagues | acknowledge my
Indebtedness for having brought me
through the valley of the shadow of
death to enable me to witness these
/ things. u. 5. GRANT.
Mt. McGregor, N. Y July 2, 1885.
Expressions of Coincidence.