Huntsville gazette., 1885-07-25
Death Of General Grant.
THE GREAT SOLDIER AND STATI
MAN GONE TO REST.
Scenes 1t the Death-Bed and Prep
aratiOns for the Burial.

Scenes At the Death-Bed and Prep.
aratiOns for the Burial.
Reception Of the News.
THE LAST SAD MOMENTS
MT. McGRzooR, July ga few minutes
before s o'clock Drs. Douglass, Shrady and
Sands stood on the cottage veranda con-
versing of the condition of Gen. Grant and
discussing the probabilities Of his death and
the limit OF life left the sick man. Mrs. Sar
toris and Stenographer Dawson were con-
versing little distance away. when Henry,
the nurse, stepped hastily upon the piazza
and spoke quickly to the physicians. He
told them he thought the General was
VERY NEAR TO DEATH.
The medical men hastily entered the room
where the sick man was lying and ap-
preached his side. Instantly. upon scan
ming the patients face. DR.. Douglass order
ed the family to be summoned to the bed
side. The members of the Grant family
had been summoned not q moment sooner
than was prudent The doctors noted on
entering the room and pressing to the bed
side, that already the purplish tinge, which
is one of natures signals Of final dissolu-
ton, had settled beneath the finger-nails.
Respiration WAS very rapid and was a suc~
cession of shallow, painting inhalations, but
happily the approaching end was becoming
clear of the rattling fullness Of the throat
and lungs, aud as the respirations grew
quicker and more rapid at the close they
became less labored and almost noiseless.
This fact was in its results q comfort to the
watchers by the bedside. to whom was
spared the scene of an agonizing or other
than peaceful death.
The wife almost constantly stroked the
fair forehead and hands Of the dying Gen.
eral, and at times as passionate longing
TO prevent the event 80 near would rise
within her. Mrs. Grant pressed both his
hands and leaning forward tenderly kissed
the face Of the sinking man. Morning had
passed Eve minutes beyond 8 O'Clock and
there was not one Of the strained and wait.
ing watchers but who could mark the near.
ness of the life to its final ebbing. DR..
Douglass noted the nearness of the supreme
moment and quietly approached the bed
side and bent over it. DR.. Shrady also
drew near, It was minutes after o'clock
and the eyes of the General were closing,
bis breathing grew more hushed, at last
the functions of the heart and lungs were
hastened to the closing of the ex-Presidents
life. A peaceful expression seem. to be
deepening in the firm and strong lined face
and it was reflected as closing comfort in
the sad hearts that beat quickly under the
stress of loving suspense.
4 minute more passed and was closing as
the General drew deeper breath, there
| was an exhalation like that of one relieved
of long and anxious tension. The mem
bers of the groups were impelled each a
step nearer the bed and each awaited anoth-
er inspiration, but it never came. There
was an absolute stiffness in the room, a
hush of expectant suspense and no sound
broke the silence save the singing of the
birds in the pines outside the cottage, and
the measured throbbing of the engine that
all night had waited by the little mountain
depot down the slope.
ut is all over" quickly spoke DR.. Doug
lass. and there came then heavily to each
witness the realization that
GEN. GRANT WAS DEAD
Then the doctors withdrew, the nurse
closed tho eyelids. and composed the dead
Generals head, after which each of the
family group pressed to the bedside. one
after another. and touched their lips upon
the quiet face so lately stilled.
PLACE CT BURIAL.
Before his death, however, Gen. Grant
left the choice Of the burial spot entirely to
Col. Fred Grant, imposing only the condi,
ton that the spot selected should be such
a. Mrs. Grant might rest by his side. His
remains will be removed to New York by a
special train and there prepared for burial.
Reception OF The News.
WASHINGTON. July 20.-Shortly after