New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-19
GEN. GRANT MORE HOPEFUL.
CAUSES OF HIS FORMER DEsPoNDENCY.
his LETTERS TO HIS PHYSICIAN AND FAMrLY-EN-
| coURAGED BY THE ARRIVAL OF DIR. SANDS.

| COURAGED BY THE ARRIVAL OF DIR. SANDS.
fBr TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.
MT. McGREGoR, June 1S.rDr Sands arrived here
at 1l:30 by special train on the Little Mountain
Road. 1e was met by Colonel Grant and DR.. Douglas.
The telegram which summoned him contained no init
nation of any ioi requiring his services The
panic Of the previous igbt had evidently passed
trely away Various members of the family were
seated on The piazza. The General reclining on
| his chair inside. The was shining brightly
from clear sky, cooling breezes played through Il o
trees, and the temperature almost springke.
| Within the house, without, all seemed quiet and
| peaceful. IL was like a calm after q storm.
On the previous evening General Grant had expo
ricnced of those reactonary fits natural to in
feeble health who had over taxed his strength The
walk to the bluff had proved too muab Tor him. He had
placed too great dependence on his own will. He be-
dcspondent and this, ado ed to his present weak
ness, caused him to fear that his last hours fast
approac hing But he would have His
age should assert itself to the last He retired to his
! room, and with much difficulty managed to convey by
signs to his family that he wanted pen and ink BY a
stubborn effort controlled the tremuous hands that
grasped the pen and wrote for twenty minutes. The
result the two notes, addressed to his family
and the other to DR.. Douglas These the General
handed to Colonel Grant aud seated himself on the
piazza again. Colonel Grant read the note addressed
the family, hurredy, but did not communicate its
tents to them until the General went to bed about
| o'clock.
In effect it told them that the General felt his
strength fast failing and was convinced that he must
soon die he wished them to know that he had pre-
pared a memorandum of the disposition he wished to
have made OF his effects This 1t seems he had done,
| unknown to his family in New-York. painful scene
| followed. Mrs. Grant grief was uncontroaole.
When DIR. Douglas read his note, he also yielded in
to the dominant mood. The result OF family
| consultation the telegram to Dr. Sands.
Ibis morning, immediately alter his arrira Dr.
Sands held a consultation with Dr. Douglas whieh
lasted hour The General was thoroughly examined
DIR. Douglas said aiterward Z" We have examined the
General thoroughly. We find no change in his throat
since last Sunday, when DIR. Sands aud made joint
| examination. Neither Dr. Sands nor now regard hm
a. in any immediate dauger His pulse registered ~.
His voice stronger than 1t has been since 1t failed
him."
As to his motive in sending for Dr. Sands. Dr. Doug
| las added: The note from General Grant contained
much which cannot give in anything ike detail but
IL showed that the General took most depressed view
of his condition. aud expressed the opinion that he
would much longer the strain that was put
upon him by reason OF his continually increasing weak
ness thought that II could get one OF the attending
ply sicians hero 1t would probably induce the General
to take q hopeful view OF his condition. and at
any rate | should te fortified by the presence OF
another doctor familiar with the case DR.. Sands as
sured the General that lie was IN no Immediate danger
and this has given him great satisfaction and comfort
Under the circumstances IL Is probably good thnS
that DIR. Sands was sent for.'
Harrison the faithful attendant seems to have
been the only member OF the household who withstood
| the panicky feeling. probably because be Is most
familiar with the sick mans moods and also excepting
the doctor, with his physical condition DE Genefai
is all right" he said lie amt beer better Tor long
time Dis yer pauic is all nonsense Dere was nouhn
de matter last night. Nothn dis morning He's better
den he's been Tor four months. OATS what toll Mrs
Grant when she axed me- . -
The General passed q fairly comfortable night He
woke up about l o'clock and called for glass OF
water Thereafter his sleep was sound until be awoke
of the afternoon spent the piazza, taking occa
sona short walks up and down IT, bat not overaxlng
his sircpgto on the previous day Dr. sands ro-
turned on the Albany boat to night
General Grant has knowledge OF the painful state
Of distress into which his message threw MS family In
his presence they always show comPosurei and strive
to appear cheerful The emotional stories aOont the
Generals condition in some OF tho New.fork papers to-
day brought Jesse Grant here from New ork in hot
haste nnd started DR. Newman from Pond Lake. Both
arrived at $3.50 p M DR.. Newman recalled the TACT
that General Grant had or twice before been op-
pressed with the feeling that his end was near at hand
when the doctors thought otherwise and on another
OCCASION when the doctors sad his end was near he
had itt confident that they were mistaken ana had raj
he'd IN the most surprising fashion.
Some say 1t IL grit, pluck or will power said Dr.
Newman, " but whatever il Is II Is something marvel
lous which has enabled this man. SICK unto deatn' 10
do in the last few months work his book which might
well fatigue q sound man. and then follow 1t up by tax
ing a Journey of 900 miles. But he retains as strong
the spirit of tue faithful soldier that prompts
him to do well whatever he undertakes, II 1t only
walk up HILL - -
Iu the afternoon delegation from the New ork
State Pharmaceutical Society visited the mountain and
de6led past the cottage while the General was seated
on the piazza yender oi patent nostrums, who had
smngpled himself In with the druggists with degree
Of brazen assurance which smile cOuld do justice TO-
walked up tbs steps of the piazza and placed IN the
Generals lap q package of chewing gum with some
supposed medical property saying that 1t would do the
General good. , E,
Three pretty little girls subsequently laid some
flowers in the Generals hap, and thus helped to ehace
the unpleasant episode. L. s. Grant, jr arrived at
o'clock by carriage. - , ,
The General sat on the plaza while the family were
eating their supper. Then he went indoors some
alarm caused by brief attack OF coughing accom-
panied by some expcctorat0n, but u developed INTO
nothing serious. Although tue expectoraon was more
coplons than usual Dr. Douglas attached no Importance
10 IT, Before retiring at 9:O nc wrote THIS note 10 Ut
Newman. in firm. clear hand
a It is lust a week ago to day since | have spoken
My suffering Ia continuous Drs. Sands ana Douglas
say that my allment is inonrabe."
Another nuto addressed to Mrs. Grant read; .,
Ask the doctor 10 have prayers wish 70 retne
carly" The General went to bed with favorable pros
poets OF passing restul night Dr. Ne wnlh sa,u tas
he appeared be 25 per cent better tnan when ne saw
him last Friday. and walked up ana down tue piazza
without the aid OF a ,, M,
At III D. m General Grant had not fallen asleep HIS
cough continued and caused him some annoyance,
JUNE 10, a. .m.-The expectations that Tue oenoInn
would pass a comfortable night have not Deen rcaHeu:
The indications to allay the irritation IN MS throat
have yet had the desired effect Inc housenoa arc
evidently uneasy about him. DIR. Douglas administered
an injection OF morphine ut p IN. and another aIer
midnight but he has yet succeeded In getting the
General asleep. Still Dr. Douglas says tha there s ho
cause for alarm