The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-31
Very Near Death Before.
AUTHORITATIVE SKETCH OF SCENES
ONE NIGHT IN MARCH WHEN
SUPPOSED DYING.

DurlllS tnc ldlleT pdTtOl MdrCu Ncll-
eral Grants life hung by a thread and
the whole country awaited with feel
ings of the greatest apprehension the
news of each day. The doctors had
now become convinced that the disease
was cancer of the tongue solely and
that all they could do was to ease the
General until his inevitable death.
They remained in the house day and
night. At times the General became
very much alarmed and gave up all
hope. On that eventful evening when
he was expected to die at any moment
the forms OF all newspapers were held
in readiness to issue Especial edition.
There were in the house Doctors
Sbrady and Douglas. DIR. Shrady had
staid up the previous night alone and
was completely worn out. DR.. Doug
las, too, being an old man, was very
tired. The family were up all night
and with them were DR.. Newman and
General Badeau. General Grant was
very low all night and in the early
morning had an alarming hemorrhage.
The family were gathered around him,
every member crying. The General
reclined in one chair, with his pillow
behind him and rested his feet on
another chair. DR.. Shrady was sleep
ing in another room. In rushed DR..
Douglas and reused him with the words,
"It's all ever
"What " said Shady, "do you mean
to say that the man is dead!"
"No; not dead, but he will be in a
few minutes. Nothing can save him.
DR.. Shrady jumped up and ran into
the room where the General was. Mrs.
Grant, weeping, reached out her hand
and said "Ulysses, do you know
me p
The Generals chin was resting upon
his breast. He slowly raised his head
and said "Y es.'
DR.. Newman exclaimed at is all
over l will baptize him." He went
quickly into another room, got silver
bowl, filled with water, came back,
dipped his hand into it and said 81
baptlze thee, Ulysses Simpson Grant,
in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Ghost"
The General slowly raised his head
and remarked, 81 thank YOU, Then
turning to his family he raised one
hand and uttered the words, 81 bless
you ALL"
To Doctor Newman he observed
'Doctor, intended to attend to this
myself
Meanwhile Drs. Shrady and Douglas
were consulting with each other in the
corner. The strain was intense.
DR.. Douglas said "He will dit
sure. He has gone the pulse has lef
the wrist
DIR. Shrady, as if struck by iuspira
tion, replied 81 will give him bran
dy."
"You cannot do it he cannot swal
low," said DR.. Douglas
Il will give it to him hypodermical
ly," answered Dr. Shrady.
"How much ?" asked DR.. Douglas.
"a barrelful if necessary" retorted
DR.. Shrady. DR.. Shrady rushed int
another room. 'IIarrison," said he tt
the man, servant, shave you any bran
dy ?" Harrison answered EYES, ant
handed him some. DIR. Shrady rushe,
back and gave Grant a syringeful il
each arm. The General revived, tn
pulse returned to his wrist and his lif
was saved.
DIR. Newman walked into an adjoin
ing room with DR.. Shrady and asked
'Doctor, how is he ?"
81 don't think he will die said tn
doctor
sour prayers have been answered,
said DIR. Newman.
Il think it was the brandy" respond
ed DR.. Shrady.
The General rallied for a few day
and there was no other severe attac
until the night when the spells O
choking came on. Then he was cor
vinced that he would soon die. III
went about the room on his hands an
knees and coughed with great effort.
81 am choking to DEATH he said, i
a feeble voice.
''Be quiet, be quiet, you won't" sal
Shrady sit will be over in a me
ment."
Drs. Shrady and Douglas passed n
and down the room, looked at the re
porters on the sidewalk in front of tn
house smoking their cigars and swing
ing their canes and wished very muc
to change position with them. Sine
that time the Generals system and az
petite had grown much better, It wa
no longer necessary to give him MOI
phia to induce rest, During his st
verest attacks the physicians would al
most beg of him not to take any, bu
he insisted and it was given him i
small quantities only.