Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-27
The DEAD SOLDIER.
Gen, Grant Wrapped in the
American Flag.
a Remarkable Document in
Which the General
Expresses His Sense of
Gratetulness.
Sympathetic Words from
Many Distinguished
Persons.
Mt. MCGREGoR, July %.

MI. MCGREGoR, July 2S.
A still, sultry morning on the mountain,
with clonds and a thick, heavy atmosphere
hundreds of isitors coming up on the trains
the hotel draped in mourning, Sabbath day
silence about the cottage where the dead
General lies in temporary receptacle wrap
ped with "A flag, so the third day of Mrs.
Grants widow whood begins. Apropos of the
mention OF Mrs. Grants name, it may be
stated that thus far that lady has been seen
by no person except the members of her fam
lily and Mrs. Newman since the Generals
death. Late Yesterday afternoon there spread
from mouth tn mouth that the widow had
been utterly prostrated. and that even serious
results might be feared from the shock OF
her bereavement. The rumor, if it shall have
reached the outer world. NAV be regarded as
having no basis in fact beyond that of Mrs
Grant being in seclusion because of a natural
desire for rest and quiet with her own sorrow
President Cleveland was this morning re-
que sted by the family to name the pail bear
ers to act at the closing obsequies. Cen
eral Hancock teegraphed this morning that
he had received the instructions of the sec
retary of war. and the details of the military
y
The subject of the choice of the
spot for the sepulchre in Central Park is now
To be settled. The authorities in New York
City will doubtless exercise discretion in the
matter, though Col. Grant has signitied a
feeling that location at the north end of the
mall, near the lake. would nearest meet the
wishes of the family. Either one end or the
other of the mall will undoubtedly be chosen.
A message was this morning sent to Mavor
Grace asking if he could and would furnish
a temporary vault for the reception of the
remains of Gen. Grant, the suggestion being
that the family of Gen Grant would prefer
that his remains should not be placed in any
vault that has already been used for the re-
ception OF others. One month ago today
Gen. Grant received his last retired paw
check from Washington, and had he lived
until today another would have been at his
disposal
While in conversation today with the cor
respondent of the Associated Press, Dr.
Douglass very kindly read to the writer the
following remarkable document, which was
written by Gen. Grant in DR.. Douglass pres
ence on Thursday, July 2: | ask you not to
show this to any one, unless to the physicians
you consult with, until the end. Particular
ly, want ii kept from nv family. If known
(the family will get it. 1t would only dis
tress them almost beyond endurance to know
it, and, by reflex, would distress me. have
not changed my mind materially since |
wrote you before in the same strain. Now,
however, know that gain strength some
days, but when do go back il is beyond
where started to improve. think the
chances are very decidedly in favor of your
being able to keep me alive until the change
of the weather toward winter. OF course
there are contingencies that might arise at
any time that might carry me off very sud
denly. The most probable of these is chok-
ing. Under the circumstances. life is not
worth the living / am very thankful Tfor
thankful, glad was written, but scratched out
and thankful substituted to have been spared
thus far, because it has enabled me to prac-
tically complete the work in which | take
so much interest. | cannot stir up strength
enough tc review it and make additions and
subtractions that would suggest themselves
to me and are not likely to suggest themselves
to any one else. Under the circumstances |
will be the hsppiest the most pain | can
avoid. If there is to be any extraordinary
cure. such as some people believe there is to
be, it will develope itself. would say, there
fore, to you and your colleagues to make me
as comfortable you can. If 1t is within
Gods providence that | should go now,
am ready to obey his summons without a
murmur. | should prefer to go now to en-.
during my present suffering for single day
without hope of recover. As stated, | am
thankful for the providential extension of my
time to enable me to continue my work. /
am further thankful. and in a much greater
degree thankful, because it has enabled me
to see for myself the happy harmony which
so suddenly sprung up between those engaged
but a few short years ago in deadly conflict.
|, has been an inevitable blessing to me to
hear the kind expressions toward me in per-
son from ali parts of our country, from peo-
pie of all nationalities, of all religion and OF
no religion, of confederate and national
troops alike, of soldiers organizations, of
mechanical, scientific, religious and other
societies, embracing almost every citizen in
the land They have brought joy to my heart
if they have not effected cure. So to you
and your colleages acknowledge my indebt-
edness for having brought me through the
valley of the shadow OF death to enable me to
witness these things.
Signed L. S. GRANT.
The following messages of coincidence
have been received
METHERINGroN, July 25.
Mrs. Grant:
Allow me to offer sympathy on your grea,
loss.
LORD RIPoN.
LONDON, July %.
Mrs. Grant
Heartfelt sympathy for the sad afflction
befallen you.
Mrs. MAcKEY.
TOXIC. Japan, July "a.
Nine. Gen. Grant:
learned with much sorrow of the death of
your husband. tender you my sincers con-
dolence and deep sympathy.
PRINCE TowPrro.