New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-27
SCENES AT MT. McGREGOR.

SCENES AT MT. MCGREGOR.
LOOKING AWAY TO THE PEAK OF WASHINGTON
THE GUARD AT THE CoTTAGE-GRAST THE MAN.
ssY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSx.l
MT. MCGREGOR. July 26.-There never was
more beautiful day than to-day has been at MI
McGregor The air is cool, clear and bracing, ana
the view which extends eastward from the front OF
the hotel is bounded by the majestic peaks OF the
White Mountains moro than 100 miles
distant. Named after those sturdy supporters OF
the Republic, Washington. Jefferson. Madison. and
there can be no donbt that at this fime from their
lofty SUBMITS the telescope and deld-glass fire.
quently scan the horizon to pick ont the spot
where q man, as conspicuous in the countrys
history as those whose names individuaiize each
mountain, lies asleep In death. But the magni'-
cent view, the beautiful day. the invgorating air
have little charm for the people at Mt. McGregor.
More than to anything else do their
thoughts linger over the brave old warrior
When they sit together, their conversation
is not OF the news OF the day, nor
the Idle gossip of summer society In the country,
but it is always directed to the subject most promi-
nent in their minds and most affecting 10 their
hearts. The incidents of his life, and particularly
the new side of his character that has shoue
brightly and beautifully through the fire of afliic-
tion which has burned intensely for many months
and which only ceased with his death, are contin-
uaIly talked about Such fortitude and courage,
meeting the severest pain with a smile and always
inspiring q word OF cheer. when those about the
sick man knew how intensely he was suffering
were probably never before witnessed. His solicit
tude for the welfare of Others was always prom-
nent in his mind and he would frequently tell his
family when they would become alarmed
at his condition, that he would soon
be all right aud not to awaken
IL. ha
of sickness, during which Dr. Douglas attended
him and in the many stages that he passed through
which must have been 80 trying to his patience.
and even when he passed night after night without
sleep and his body racked by the most excru-
ciatIng spasms. Or. Douglas never heard him utter
a word of complaint or give vent to any feeling OF
discomfort. and never heard him express the words
"Oh, dearp which are so common to every SICK
room. Frequently when the General was sitting In
his chair alone IN his room and the members OF his
family were IN the room adjoining. II the time
came when his medicine or food should be gwen,
or il he desired to change his position, he would
get ND out of his char and wait
on himself instead Of calling any one. lie
was urged by his physicians and family to keep
quiet and to take all the rest possible for him to
get. But in spite of every remonstrance the Cen
eral to the last tried to be of as little trouble to
those who were around him as possible and his
desire to be of service to Others frequently brought
on attacks Of depression and exhaustion that
might have been avoided.
Though the pleasant surroundings OF Mt
McGregor are an attraction for Sunday visitors
who desire to go up to the mountains away from
the monotOny Of the valley below, the crowd who
came to-day, on foot by train or In carriage.
seemed to be impressed with nothing save the cot
tage in which the Generals body rests. They
do not have to ask where 1t is. Three
large tents on the side and rear OF the
house, the steady tramp OF the uniformed
sentinels, carrying polished muskets and
two small pieces of Grape hanging upon
the outer doors of the house tell when the com
mander of armies is waiting to be carried TO the
tomb. The old veterans who compose tho guard.
when they are not on duty within or without. sit
by the door of the tents and talk lovingly OF the
General, who led them many times to victory,
rarely TO defeat. They live again the realities OF
war but their hearts beat in sadness at the loss OF
their leader So strongly has the death OF the Old
General taken hOld upon the popular heart that
scarcely any Of the people who come here for the
day. 90 away without plucking a sprig OF fern. or
blooming wild flowers which grew near the path
that the General used to take when walking, or
riding In his invalid carriage and slowing 1t care
fully away in o book or paper as II 1t were oil
priceless value.
Something of that profound peace which all Ma
ture presented as from Mt McGregor seems
TO have exerted its soothing influence over those
whose close association with the dead man made
their grief at first seem too bitter ever to be as
snaged. IL only as a place to die in Mt. Nc
Gregor seems to have been wisely chosen. With
the pure atmosphere the pine-clad hills the noun
tains blue In the far distance, the wide stretch OF
green pasture land intervening. 1t seems that O
man could much more easily reconcile himself to
4, ath than when c0nfped within fOnr walls in q
closely packed city. To the family
that remain to mourn him, these scenes
seem much more suggestive OF those things
which can alone afford them consolation and COM
fort than anything the hot and sitting city can
offer. Dr. Douglas. gazing on the scene from the
piazza Of the hotel said to-day: Ies' II was best
that he should 90. His life had become burden to
HIM and distressing to those who saw his sufferings
When the end drew near they wanted me to do
this OF that thing, which might have probably pro-
Ion ped his life an hour, but told them nothing
could be gained by prolonging his misery lie was
ready TO 90. he wanted to CO. why not let MIN
His time had come"
Then turning his head in the direction OF the cot
tage, the old man added sadly:
"Abi how often have looked from here TO sec If
the General was out on the veranda.and often have
walked up that hill from the cottage when
felt 30 weary that l almost doubted whether
could reach the hotel"
But Dr. Douglas can rest now and is steadily
recovering from bis fatigue.
DIR. Newman Is busying himself with his dis
course Id which he will endeavor to give the peo-
ple some understanding of what manner of man
General Grant was AS the first soldier In the
country, It's chief magstratofor eight years he Is
well known,n he said, but as the man. plain and
simple. with ell his lovabe traits, he Is hardly at
all known. How many arc there who know that
General Grant was such man that his son Fred
vas able recently to say something like this to me