The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-10
THE DEAD ACTOR.
Last Moments of John Neutrality-suspicious.
at the Bedside of the Dying Tragedian.

NEW YORK Nov. 9.-Specials from Philadel-
phia have the following details of the last hours
of John Mccullough: On Friday night last his
condition assumed threatening aspect. and the
long-expected crisis had come. That peculiar
respiration which is almost invariably the fore
runner of death set in and the patient assumed
the appearance of one dead. His muscles became
rigid, and suddenly his right leg was seized with
convulsive twitching. By the unceasing exer-
tons Of his attendants, the crisis was safely
passed and refreshing sleep came to his relief.
Saturday was passed quietly by the patient. His
mental faculties were brighter than at any
period Of his Illness and he took cognizance of
ali that passed around him. He took food and
medicine normally, and retained all the muscular
power he had regained before the attack His
wife visited him during the day and spent some
time at his bedside. He recognized her, and,
graspirg her hand made several efforts to speak.
but without avail. Shortly before o'clock in
the evening his nurse noticed that his pulse had
fallen to about sixty beats midute, and a few
minutes afterward the peculiar respiration
again set in. He continued in this condition
during the night A few minutes before o'clock
yesterday morning his attendant was giving him
medicine, when suddenly the muscles of his
throat refused to perform their functions, they
having become in an instant paralyzed, The
patient became unconscious and remained so
until he died. When he became unconscious
injections of brandy and ether were made over
the pretoria muscle, near his heart and iniec-
tloDs OF ether near the arteries in his neck.
This had the effect of frightening his life for a
short time, but was of no avail
During the morning Mr. McCullough's two
sons came into the sick-room for last look at
their father, but remained only few minutes.
His wife stayed with him until he died. At the
last moment his wife, his sister, Mrs. West, DR..
ent. He died without a struggle, his breathing
growing slower and weaker until it ceased alto
gether.
After death his features retained their natu-
raj expression, and he appeared as if sleeping.
1t has been decided to hold post mortem ex-
animation, and full synopsis of the case,
important one from a medical stand point, will
be made While the tragedian lay dying groups
of neighbors stood in the rain around the doors,
and anxlously awaited the latest news from the
sick room Much sympathy was expressed for
the family, and the utmost precautions were
taken to prevent all noises in the streets.
The funeral of Mr.. Mccullough will take place
on Thursday next, at ii o'clock, at st. Georges
Hall, in this city. The pall-bearers will be Ed
win Booth, John B. Carson, of Chcago VIM.
FL. Thompson, of st. Louis; W. J. Florence, of
New York; Matthew Canning. of Philadelphia;
Henry Edwards, of New York; VIM. F. John
son. of Philadelphia; James W. Collier John A.
Cockrel and William M. Connor of New York.
Robson & Crane, and Florence & Coiyer and
other fellow actors and friends propose erecting
monument to his memory. and until location
is selected the body will remain in the vault.