The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-18
The General Realizes that the End Cam
not Much Longer be Delayed,
And Prepares Final Instructions for His Fam
ily-Dr. Sands Hastily Summoned from
New York-A Stolen Walk Abroad.
THE SICK SOLDIER.
Indications that Death is Near-Dr. Sands
Hastily Summoned.

General Grant sank into his pillowed chair on
the piazza of the Drexel cottage, soon after his
arrival yesterday, the thermometer on pillar in
front of him marked the temperature at 82o
Mr. Drexel said that was an excessive heat for
the locality. Clouds and rain at sunset beat the
mercury down to overcoat temperature. On
through the night, until o'clock, eusty winds
swept the rain over the mountain, but the sun
came up over the Green mountains this morning
and found no clouds. At 10 o'clock the ther-
mometer before the Generals window marked
Go degrees.
Dr. Douglas felt encouraged when he came
out at o'clock. He thought the General had
slept we'll, although he had been called to attend
him three times during the night. The husk-
ness of his voice was considerably relieved, but
its loss had been owing to the Generals weak
ness, rather than to fatigue. and it's recovery
would be slow.
Colonel Fred Grant said of his father this
morning: HE had considerable rest last night.
and this morning his voice had improved so
that we can understand him when he tries to
whisper When went to his room, little
while ago, he whispered very family that he
fodkd his voice little stronger to-day, but that
he should not try to use it, hoping that with
caution it would grow strong enough so he could
talk again; but" added Colonel Grant, 'the
failure of fathers voice is owing to debility, and
he is growing weaker all the while. The change
of air he feels just now, but as / said, his weak
ness constantly grows upon him."
A little white tent, with small flags 1uttering
from it, is pitched close to General Grants cot
tage 1t is occupied by S. w. Willets, an old
soldier in uniform, who has been employed to
protect the General from intrusion by strangers.
General Grant was on the piazza of his cottage
at noon, but after while he returned to his
room The swelling on the Generals throat is
not abated to-day, and his rest last night was
aided by morphine, without which, the Doctor
said, he could not have slept.
During his morning airing upon the piazza of
his cottage. General Grant, slowly, and with the
aid of his cane, walked around the house. Quite
often he paused, at times with eyes bent to the
floor, as though intently thinking, and again
gazing away toward the eastward, where the
Green Mountains were within his view. But
while out of doors, he. most of the time, sat
motionless, with one hand pressing handker-
chief to his mouth to protect his throat from the
cool air that had followed the rain of Tuesday
night; the other hand grasped the cane, which
the General now, at all times, carries. The sick
mans face was less strained in its appearance
than when he concluded his journey. About
midday the General walked around the corner
of the piazza, and entered his room. He sig
nifed desire to have his throat treated, and
the physician complied with his wish. The
General then stretched himself upon his bed,
and the doctor and nurse went away to gain
needed rest
THE GENERAL SLIPS OUT FOR WALK.
After his rest, about o'clock, and while his
physician and nurse were asleep the General
drew his silk hat over his skull cap signaled
Harrison to his side, and walked down the cot
tage steps. He walked slowly along the path
way over an easy slope to the brow of the noun
tain, hundred yards away. Several times he
paused TO rest, and at length sat down on a rus
tic settee, when chair was placed for his seat
He removed the handkerchief from his mouth
and essayed to speak, declining support for his
feet, but his voice was not audible, and the
General, recognizing the fact, shook his head
The fact that mess of frogs had
been caught during the morning at one
of the little mountain lakes near by was
mentioned to the General, and he was asked if
he would attempt to eat them. Again the Gen
eral attempted to speak, bu.. could not, and
again he declined by shakiEg his head His
attention directed to the monument that
marks the surrender of Burgoyne, twenty miles
away, but the elevation of his head to gaze so
far away seemed painful, and his head bowed,
his chin dropped to his breast, and his eyes
rested on nearer objects. The neck and diseased
portions are strained and pain follows when he
holds his head erect. He finally arose, steady
ing himself with the arm of the settee and
his cane, and retraced his steps
to the cottage. No one was more
surprised at the Generals walk than
DIR. Douglas. He was amazed that the General
should have attempted it, but was amused by
his selecting the time when the Doctor was
asleep to steal over and take a peep from the
bluff.
Later in the afternoon Dr. Douglas, in referring
to the Generals actual condition in connection
with his work. expressed himself thus: ''The dis
easeis following its course, which is course of
steadily increasing exhaustion We do not look
for cure from this change-noting can be a
curative-but we do hope to prolong his life, and
that is the most that can be expected. Under
the exhilarating effect of th;satmosphere, and OF
this cool day, he has, for instance walked over
there to the knoll He might do that easily, and
not be able to do the same to morrow or next
day. The course of the disease is, as say, one
of increasing debility
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FAMILY.
When General Grant reached his cottage
after his walk to the brow of the mountain. this
afternoon, he was much exhausted, and sank