The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-05
GRANT SOMEWHAT WEAKER.
He Secures Nine Hours Sleep, but His
Strength Steadily Diminishes.
DR.. Sands Arrives from New York for Consul
tatiOn with Dr. DOuglas-The Generals
Suffering Greater than Supposed.

Mt. McGREGoR, Jtly 4.-Dr Douglas thought,
this morning, that General Grant had slept
fully nine hours between o'clock, when he
tired up to o'clock this morning when he
aroused for the day. Through the early morn
ing hours the physician had not been called
upon, and it was not until after the patient had
taken food, about o'clock, that DR. Douglas
called upon to clear his throat. After that
General Grant dozed until soon after o'clock,
when ne was dressed, and stroled out
upon the piazza. Through the night there
had been less Of mucus secretion than
the doctor anticipated. Last evening the pain
was slight, and this morning the General, &C
cording to Col Fred Grant, is feeling pretty
WELL though rather weak.
Elk Senator Chafee arrived at the cottage this
morning and DR.. Sands came at 1l:4O a. m.
He is here in regular consultation with Dr. Doug
las, and will remain until tomorrow. The con-
situations will be held at shorter intervals here
after. Doctors Shrady and Sands will alternate
in attendance.
A cable message of inquiry was received this
morning by the General from Cyrus W. Field,
who stated that the American residents in Lon
don, would, to-day, hold meeting to express
solcitude and sympathy for General Grant
This is the birthday of Mrs Sartoris and also
of Col. Fred's little boy, Ulysses
At s o'clock General Grant was to bed, and at
9 o'clock he was asleep, aided by half the nightly
allowance Of morphine after which the ply
stefan said the indications more favorable
for night Of rest than they had been in some
time, and that the conditions were better than
they had been for a week At midnight all was
quiet.
A writer from McGregor says Yesterday
was the first bright and pleasant day for week
Within that time the thermometer dropped
down among the forties, and rain and mist were
overcome only by the cheerful fire inside the
cottage. At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon a
special friend of the Generals passed by the end
of the hotel looking toward the cottage. With
him were two newspaper men. AS the trio
looked toward the cottage they General
Grant standing Just inside the room which is
used for an Office. Observing them, General
Grant passed through the door, walked rapidly
across the piazza to the front of the house, held
his cane atoft and waved it vigorously IN the air
'He then returned rapidly and entered
within the door. while the three newspaper men
passed on After this he wrapped himself in a
shawl and sat upon the piazza for half an hour,
although the temperature was only 81. This
vitality once more encouraged his friends to
The most sanguine of them, however, do not
entertain the slightest hopes of long contest
and they think that the end may come when he
has been apparently better than usual. If had
my say about General Grant said his friend
above mentioned, would cheer him up all that
I could. l would tell him stories and make it as
pleasant for him possible. l think it is
mistake that the members of his family
send out such dscouragng reports They
are to come back here again
| and they make trouble. What is the use of
making it out as bad or even worse than it is. |
think that if the whole family would go to
Europe, the Generals life might be prolonged
for time 1t is evident that the invalid
suffers very much more than is realized by the
| public. AS the evenings wear away and he
becomes tired his fingers begin to twitch con
vusively, and it is only by the greatest effort
that he can keep his fists from being clenched
This is the signal for his going to bed AS he
rises to 60 he may give shake of the hand to
some friend who happens to be present. but woe
| to that friend for the grasp of the nervous and
suffering invalid is like wise.
Col. Fred Grant tells me that the first volume
of his fathers work is already i'll print, and that
| the second volume is now in the same condition
that the first was two months ago. General
| Grants part of the work is really over
except occasional correction. ! saw
| of the proofsheetS to-day i'll the corner
| room Of the cottage. This was the room assigned
to Mrs Grant in the beginning. Three tables
do service as desks, and these are used by Col
| onel Grant the stenOgraper and assistant
Maps of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and other
stirring scenes in the Generals life are lying
about. | asked DR.. Douglas if he could state
positive that General Grants troubles arose
| from an excess of smoking. His reply was: 1t
| is possible, but not probable ] told him when
he first came to me last October, that so much
smoking was injurious and would rotard his
recovery. He agreed to smoke only three or four
| cigars day instead of twenty. After a while
| he seemed to think that he might as we'll smoke
| none at all. so on the Goth of November 1884 he
| smoked his last cigar Since that time tho most
| that he has done in that line is to enjoy dry
| smoke, or the keeping of an unlighted cigar in
| his mouth. )"
Following is a copy Of letter received by the
General on Thursday with which he was much
pleased:
DEAR SIR hope you will allow who, when a
boy, LAID down his arms at Appomattox and pledged
allegiance to the Union to express his warmest
sympathy for you in your suffering. Dear General |
have watched your movements from the hour you
home and assist in making crop" | have been
proud to the Nation do you honor, and dear
General, in the hour of your pain, | weep that
brave, magnanimOus soul must suffer you do.
My prayer to God daily is that you may be restored
to perfect health, and be assured that | not the
only exconfederate who sends mis- prayer daily to the
Throne of Grace for the restoration of the grandest
the modest the braveSt soldier and the pureSt states
man who graced the annals of history May the
God who overlooked you in battle and who has
brought You thus far give you the grace meet what
ever lie has III store for you and may He restore you
to health is the fervent prayer of one who at fifteen
years OF age entered the lists against you and
cepted the magnanimous terms you accorded at
AppomattoX.
Rock BRIDGE BATHS, Va, June 30.
Grants Difficulty with Andy johnson.
Cups Letter in Cleveland Leader.