Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-07-29


HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY INCLINED
forward and his elbows on the sides of
the chair, while the fingers of either
hand were interlocked, each one with
the other, beneath the chin. It was
4:3O o'clock, and the peaks of the
mountains eastward were darkly out
lined against the reddening dawn.
The faint glow crept between the pines
and birches through tt e cottage window
and tinged the sick mans cheek with
the dawn of what is be-
ieved by the doctor to be his
last day. At five o'clock DR.. Douglas
was aroused to send summons for DR..
Sands. The general moved restlessly,
and his eyes for few minutes gazed
intently away through the trees. The
message to DR.. Sands was sent only
that the responsibility of the case at
the close of the night should be shared
by the members of the medical staff
and not with the thought that any aid
could be rendered by any person at that
time, or through the opening day. The
General was given stimulants, but
grew weaker hour by hour. The morn
ing was clear and the mercury at II
o'clock registered 500. All visitors
were to-day kept from the cottage and a
SABBATH DAY QUIET
pervading about the spot. DR.. Douglas
and Dr. Newman are with the family
and the day was one of quiet waiting.
The patient once during the morning
attempted to write, but succeeded only
in writing the date. The effort was
more than was warranted by the little
remaining strength. He had spoken at
intervals, but his voice was very feeble.
During the forenoon food was taken
and retained. At 2:15 p. m. the men,
bers of the family and DR.: Newman
we're grouped in the darkened room
near Gen. Grant Observing their
evidences of feeling, the general said:
II do not want anybody to be distress
ed on my account" DR.. Sands and
DR.. Shrady arrive at $3.50
p; m. by special train, which
wife. A singular occurrence is related
by DIR. Newman as having occurred in
the cottage. At five minutes of l O.
clock Gen. Grant asked the hour of the
day. ''One o. clock,' spoke one of
those near the general. Soon after
the cottage clock chimed twelve strokes
and the general counted them. Then
he wrote on the pad that he observed
the clock was wrong and indicated a
desire to have it struck to the right
hour, which was done and the incident
passed as one of the remarkable cpl
sodes of the generals late sickness.
The whole family, beginning at 6
O'Clock, came to the hotel to dinner in
twos, the others remaining at the cot
tage in the meantime. The family
dined in the private room set apart for
their use at the hotel, in order at this
critical time they might be secluded
from the curious observation of the
many visitors and guests with whom
the generals condition from
HOUR TO HOUR
had been the topic of the day. The
closed and silent cottage had all day
suggested mutely the enactment
of the last scene in Gen. Grants
earthly existence, and upon guests
and visitors had settled sense of
the nearness of death, and there
seemed hush upon the mountain and
with all upon it. AS the sun went
down cool breeze, as last night,
sprang up and again the laymen on the
mountain endeavored to persuade them
selves and others that the cool night
would bring renewed strength to the
patient and help him rally through the
night. But such was not the opinion
of the doctors, who were prepared to
attend the generals death bed at a mo-
ment's notice or wait through hours and
into the night for the end. More than
that, they were prepared to find the pa
tent alive in the morning. At Z, how
ever, as the three physicians were at
dinner, Harrison came to the hotel and
called DIR. Douglas, who went at once
and alone to the cottage. Soon after
wards another messenger from the cot
tage summoned Drs Shrady and Sands,
and they repaired to the cottage, close
ly followed by Dr.. Newman. The exit
of the doctors and clergyman from the
hotel was, however, so quickly effected
that few knew they had been
summoned to the cottage. Arrived
there they found the general again evi:
IDENTIFY sinking. The general seemed
restless. "Would you like to lie down.
father?' asked Col. Fred Grant, who
noticed his fathers restlessness. The
general nodded, and at the same mo-
mcnt essayed to
p1sr IrNAssrsTED
but the effort was too great and he
sank back into the chair and the colo
mel and nurse aided him to arise anC
then supported him to the bed, where
he was carefully lowered to reclining
position and partly on his face.
The family were all gathered at thu
bedside of the sick man, and again DIR
| Newman, at about the same hour a:
last night, and at Mrs. Grants request
knelt beside the general and prayed
Heads were bowed down, and tears
were on the cheeks of men as we'll a!
women The doctors stood somewha
apart, and the family was near. After
an hour death seemed little less rap
idly gaining on the man 1t has pursued
| lust nine months to day, for it is jus
nine months ago to-day, that Gen
Grant walked into DIR. Douglas to seel
his professional aid for the cancer
that has done what foes and wal
| could not. The doctor and cler
eyman strolled out upon the piazza anc
sat near the parlor window and Jesse
Grant Joined them at times, but the
other members of the family remained
in the sick room and watched anc
waited, while the General answered
Eyes" and mo" to several questions
Time passed slowly, indeed. and a
length, at s:l5, DR.. Douglas left the
cottage.
CHOW Is 1T, DOCTOR?'
was asked him. HE is dying" sale
the gray-haired physician. will h
| live an hour" was asked again ''Ol