Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-17
THE GRANT FAMILY
Depart from New York en- route to Mt.
McGregor-The Patient Looking Badly
and in a Feeble state.
New Yoak, June l6.

~,
special train, consisting of baggage car,
saloon car Traveller" and the private car
Vanderbilt" placed at the disposal of Gen.
Grant by Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt, rolled
out OF the depot at 42nd street. The General
and family with DIR. Douglass and family
left the Grant mansion on 66th street at S45
and were driven rapidly to the depot
The General passed through the depot
masters Office leaning on the arms of Col
Fred Grant and DR.. Douglass. All of his
family accompanied him with the exception
of Ulysses, who will go up on Fridav next.
In the saloon car were Harrison and Henry.
the two nurses. f. H. Mack. journalist of
this CITY. and portion of the female servants
of the Generals household The Journey
Will occupy about seven hours. The Gen
eral passed a restless night and looked very
much depressed and emaciated.
New HAMBURG, n. Y, June I6.
A half minute stop, the first since the
start, was made here after passing West
Point. ''He is doing finely" said DR.. Doug
lass at that hour. He is feeling remarkably
well considering the heat and excitement of
travel.
ALBANY, N. Y, June I6
Hudson was passed at ll.40 4. NJ. At that
time Gen. Grant was quiet and comfortable
though feeling the heat.
AT midday luz lch was served. Albany was
reached at 1920 p. NJ. on time, and the train
stopped.
SARATOGA, N. Y, juno l6.
During eight minutes stop at Albany many
people gathered at the rear OF the Generals
car and stared through the open door where
the General sat at the end of the table, where
the party were eating
At Mechanicsville was seen the first dis
play of bunting. The depots were draped
and the crowd cheered as the train passed
At that moment the General was himself
touching the ulcers ON his throat with a soft
brush dipped in cocaine. Saratoga was
reached at 81 p. NJ. A throng awaite d the
Generals train, but their glimpse of the
General was short, as he stepped from the
rear platform of his car to that of one of the
Mt. McGregor road.
Wheeler Posi-, G. A. R., in uniform, greet
ed the General and kept back the crowd as
he was transferred.
Mr.. MCGREGoR, June 16.
The train left Saratoga at 2,l0 p NJ. and
arrived here at 2 As p. NJ. The last stage of
the journey was the worst as the jolting was
severe, causing much pain and fatigue.
When Gen. Grant alighted from the train
here large banner confronted him bearing
the words "welcome to our hero" All the
prominent photographers took instantaneous
pictures of the General alighting. The Gener
al, steadied on either side by Henry and Har-
rlson, his attendants, started to walk from
the train to the Drexel cottage. The ascent
was easy and distance short, but his strength
failed and he was placed in chair which
was carried to the cottage by two porters.
On the cottage stoop Miss Drexel welcomed
the party and conducted the ladies' to their
rooms. The General walked to his room on
level with the broad piazza and there sank
into a chair with pillows beneath and behind
him Precipitation was standing on his face,
and the strain of the journey soon gave way
to reaction of extreme weakness. He laid
back with closed eyes and the nurse famed
his face. DR.. Douglass was anxious to ex-
anime and cleanse the Generals throat. He
found considerable irritation had been caused
by fine black dust which had lodged in his
throat during the journey, said the surface
underneath, though inflamed, ap-
peared better than he had ex-
pected. The swelling outside had steadily
increased after passing Hudson. and during
the last hour of the trip it rapidly filed for
ward on the neck and below the collar. The
Generals voice, which was better at starting
than on Monday, had utterly failed him. any
effort to speak resulted only in a faint and
inaudible aspirations. The doctor thought
this was due to fatigue, which was greater
during the last hour of the trip than at any
other time. When the doctor had cleansed
and treated his throat the General appeared
on the piazza and was seated on pillow
cushioned chair with his feet resting on
another. His skull cap was drawn and his
neck protected by the upturned collar of his
gown. His elbows rested on the arms of the
chair, his hands clasped, his eyes closed and
the watchers said he was enjoying peace.
This, however. was not so. After ten min
utes he arose, and with his cane, slowly
walked into his room and lay down. In
faint waisper he let DR.. Douglass know that
he was very weary and was glad the journey
was ended. Then his pulse, ordinarily II,
was 80 beats to the minute. The family are
quartered at a cottage, but DR.. Douglass has
rooms in the house.
DR.. Douglas remained the entire evening
with General Grant who was wakeful until
10 o'clock. His throat was then painted with
cocaine and he was settled for the night. DIR.
Douglas retired to an adjoining room, though
he has rooms at the hotet. leaving the nurse
to watch with the General, who at IL o'clock
is quiet as though sleeping.